( 1 )State Peace and Development Council Chairman Senior General Than Shwe sends felicitations to Pakistan

Yangon, 23 March -Senior General Than Shwe, Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council and Prime Minister of the Union of Myanmar, has sent a message of felicitations to His Excellency General Pervez Musharraf, President of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, on the occasion of the Anniversary of the Pakistan Day which falls on 23 March 2002.

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( 2 ) U Win Aung, Minister for Foreign Affairs sends felicitations to Pakistan

Yangon, 23 March - U Win Aung, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Union of Myanmar, has sent a message of felicitations to His Excellency Mr Abdul Sattar, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, on the occasion of the Anniversary of the Pakistan Day which falls on 23 March 2002.

( 3 ) Deputy Minister for Culture receives guest

Yangon, 22 March - Deputy Minister for Culture U Soe Nyunt received Prof Mauro Cuccarsi of Carlo Lerici Foundation of Italy at his office at 1 pm today. Present on the occasion were Deputy Director-General of Archaeology Department U Tun Zaw, Director of Department of Cultural Institute Daw Nanda Hmun and officials.

Construction Minister inspects exhibition booth

Yangon, 22 March - Minister for Construction Maj-Gen Saw Tun, accompanied by Deputy Ministers U Tint Swe and Brig-Gen Myint Thein, inspected scale models of the buildings and bridges being constructed by the ministry at the Defence Services Museum this afternoon. Managing Director U Nay Soe Naing, Directors-General U Arnt Kyaw and U Soe Tint and officials conducted the minister around the booth of the ministry. The minister thoroughly looked into the scale models, drawings and pictures, and gave necessary instructions .

Education Minister U Than Aung inspects exhibition booth

Yangon, 21 March-Minister for Education U Than Aung attended a workshop on skills in Myanmar Tradition at Central Department of Auxiliary Myanmar Literacy Campaign in the compound of Myanmar Education Research Bureau this afternoon. Also present were Deputy Ministers Brig-Gen Soe Win Maung and U Myo Nyunt, members of Committee for Contest of Skills in Myanmar Tradition directors-general and chairmen of departments and boards under the ministry and officials. The minister inspected scale models, VCDs, CDs and books put up to the competition. Later, he inspected the booth of Ministry of Education to be displayed at the 57th Anniversary Armed Forces Day Exhibition at the Defence Services Museum on Shwedagon Pagoda Road in Dagon Township.

National Convention Convening Commission meets

Yangon, 22 March - The National Convention Convening Commission held a meeting at the meeting hall at its office at 2 pm today.

 Present on the occasion were Chairman of NCCC Maj-Gen Saw Lwin, Vice-Chairman Maj-Gen Sein Htwa and commission members. Maj-Gen Saw Lwin presided over the meeting. National Convention Convening Work Committee and National Convention Convening Management Committee reported on matters relating to the National Convention.

The members of the commission took part in the discussions. The meeting ended with concluding remarks by Chairman Maj-Gen Saw Lwin.

( 4 ) Work coordinated for development of Taninthayi Division

Yangon, 22 March- Member of the State Peace and Development Council Maj-Gen Maung Bo of the Ministry of Defence addressed a work coordination meeting on the development of Taninthayi Division at the office of Taninthayi Division Peace and Development Council on 20 March morning.

 Also present were Deputy Commander of Coastal Region Command Brig-Gen Tin Latt and senior military officers, members of Taninthayi Division Peace and Development Council, division, district and township authorities. Maj-Gen Maung Bo spoke on the occasion. Then, the officials reported on measures taken in the respective sectors. Maj-Gen Maung Bo gave instructions on cooperation of departments in implementing the plans and in working for regional development, and attended to their requirements.

Sittway Airport gets new terminal building

Yangon, 22 March - As a gesture of hailing the 57th Anniversary Armed Forces Day, a new terminal building for Sittway Airport of the Department of Civil Aviation, Ministry of Transport, was inaugurated at the airport this morning. It was attended by Chairman of Rakhine State Peace and Development Council Commander of Western Command Brig-Gen Maung Oo, Minister for Transport Maj-Gen Hla Myint Swe, Deputy Minister Brig-Gen Kyaw Myint, Vice-Chairman of Rakhine State Peace and Development Council Brig-Gen Phone Swe, departmental heads of the ministry, townselders and members of the Union Solidarity and Development Association, Maternal and Child Welfare Association, WomenÕs Affairs Committee, Rakhine traditional and Gabyalut dance troupes and a band troupe.

 Vice-Chairman Brig-Gen Phone Swe and Deputy Minister Brig-Gen Kyaw Myint formally opened the new building. Then, Minister Maj-Gen Hla Myint Swe formally unveiled the stone inscription of the new airport building and made an opening speech at the new building. In his speech, the minister pointed out that as Sittway is an important town in Rakhine State and the western part of the nation, the government has striven for development of the airport. In accordance with the guidance of the Head of State and under the instructions of the Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council, the 120-foot long and 60-foot wide airport building was extended to a 210-foot long and 60-foot wide one to cater for the increasing number of passengers.

 The minister also urged local people to participate in the systematic maintenance of the airport building constructed in accord with the economic policy of the State to ensure smooth and secure transportation and to build the nation into a modern and developed one with the use of large sums of money. Afterwards, Rakhine State Peace and Development Council Chairman Commander of Western Command Brig-Gen Maung Oo made a speech.

 A representative of the local people spoke words o thanks. Superintending Engineer U Thein Kyaw of Public Works handed over documents related to the new building to Director-General of the Department of Civil Aviation U Win Maung. Minister Maj-Gen Hla Myint Swe presented commemorative pennants to the commander and the guests. Director-General U Win Maung also presented a commemorative pennant to the minister. Assigned by the Department of Civil Aviation of the Ministry of Transport, Public Works has constructed the building, which can handle 150 departing passengers and 150 arriving passengers at the same time. A VIP lounge is also included in the building. The building costs K 97.8 million.

Golden Jubilee of Ministry of Culture celebrated

Yangon, 22 March-The Golden Jubilee of the Ministry of Culture was celebrated at the National Theatre on Myoma Kyaung Street in Dagon Township this morning with an opening address by Minister for Culture U Tin Winn. It was attended by Minister for the Office of the State Peace and Development Council Chairman Brig-Gen Abel, Minister for Foreign Affairs U Win Aung, Deputy Minister for Culture U Soe Nyunt, Deputy Minister for Labour Brig-Gen Win Sein, directors-general and deputy directors-general of the departments under the ministry, rectors of the Universities of Culture in Yangon and Mandalay, directors and officials, directors-general and managing directors of the Ministry of Information and the Ministry of Culture, resource persons, guests, students of the University of Culture (Yangon) and service personnel of the ministry.

 At the ceremony, Principal Daw Mu Mu Khin of Yangon Institute of Dancing under the Fine Arts Department acted as master of ceremonies. First, Minister for Culture U Tin Winn delivered a speech. Artistes from the Fine Arts Department sang a song to mark the golden jubilee of the ministry before the ceremony came to a close. After the ceremony, the minister and guests viewed paintings and sculptures of new generation youth from Yangon University of Culture and the Fine Arts Schools in Yangon and Mandalay displayed at the hall of the theatre.

 Then, the minister and guests viewed the exhibition at the National Museum. The exhibition will be open to public from 10 am to 4 pm daily till 24 March. The minister and officials attended the paper reading session held at the National Theatre. Director-General U Kyaw Win of the Fine Arts Department presided over the morning session.

 Director Daw Sanda Khin of the Department of Archaeology acted as master of ceremonies. Adviser to the Ministry of Culture U Chit Oo Nyo presented a paper in the morning session. Director-General U Nyunt Han of the Department of Archaeology presided over the afternoon session. Deputy Director Daw Mya Oo of the Department of Cultural Institute, Director U Sein Win, Pro-rector Daw Wai Mar Oo of the Department of Dramatic Art of the University of Culture (Mandalay), Deputy Di-rector-General U Aung Kyaing of the Department of Archaeology (Upper Myan-mar) and party presented papers in the afternoon session.

 The paper reading session continues tomorrow. Director-General U Kyaw Win (Manutha Kyaw Win), Assistant Lecturer U Zaw Than Htut, Lecturer U Tin Maung Lwin, Assistant Curator Daw Thida Tun and Director-General U Nyunt Han will present papers. In the evening, an entertainment programme was presented at the National Theatre. The programme will be presented to public on 23 March.

( 5 ) Industry-1 Minister inspects factories in Insein

Yangon, 22 March - Minister for Industry-1 U Aung Thaung, Deputy Minister Brig-Gen Thein Tun and officials visited the Myanma Pharmaceutical Factory under Myanma Pharmaceutical Industries on West Gyogon Pharmaceutical Factory Street, Insein Township, this morning. After hearing reports presented by Factory Manager U Zaw Win, MPI General Manager U Myint Aye and Managing Director U Myint Oo, the minister gave necessary instructions.

 Then, the minister inspected different kinds of medicines and production process at the factory and left instructions. Later, he looked into construction of a disposable syringe factory and a new pharmaceutical factory. The minister next inspected the garment factory of Myanma Textile Industries in Phawtkan in the same township and gave instructions to the officials on extended production of export quality garments. The minister also inspected Win Thuza Shop at 8th Mile in Mayangon Township and left necessary instructions.

Central Cooperative Society formed

Yangon, 22 March - The Central Cooperative Society of the Ministry of Cooperatives was formed at the ministry here this morning with an address by Minister for Cooperatives Lt-Gen Tin Ngwe. It was also attended by directors-general and managing directors of the departments and enterprises under the ministry and officials, members of the Central Cooperative Society and invited guests. Director-General of the Cooperative Department Col Soe Win and the minister made speeches. Afterwards, the proposal for forming the society and rules and regulations were approved, and members of the Board of Directors and members of the auditing group were selected. Then, the ceremony came to an end with concluding remarks by Col Soe Win.

( 6 )Exhibition on Myanmar bird species opens

Yangon, 22 March-Stuffed birds and photos of over 1,000 species that can be found in Myanmar are displayed at an exhibition opened at the Forest Department here today. Visitors can also study the birds" contribution to the benefit of mankind and ways to set up birdwatching business to earn foreign exchange. Deputy Minister for Forestry Col Thaik Tun formally opened the exhibition at Tawwin Hall of the FD this morning. The exhibition opens daily from 9 am to 5 pm till 31 March. A research paper reading session was also held after the opening ceremony. It was attended by heads of department under the Ministry of Forestry, officials, bird enthusiasts and guests. The FD of the Ministry of Forestry is holding the exhibition to help develop eco-tourism in Myanmar.

Minister inspects pandals for Rice Offering Ceremony

Yangon, 22 March - Minister for Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement and for Immigration and Population Maj-Gen Sein Htwa, accompanied by Deputy Ministers U Hlaing Win and U Maung Aung and directors-general, inspected the pandals of the ministries for the Kaba Aye Rice Offering Ceremony in Mayangon Township this afternoon and left necessary instructions.

Prize presentation ceremony held

Yangon, 22 March - A farewell and prize presentation ceremony of the day care centre of Myanmar Maternal and Child Welfare Association (branch), the Ministry of Industry-2 was held at the centre on Inya Lake Hotel Road this morning.

 Present were Chairman of Myanmar Maternal and Child Welfare Association (Central) Professor Daw Kyu Kyu Swe and executives, Chief Medical Officer of the Ministry Dr Daw Khin Win Shwe, MCWA Patron of the ministry Daw Moe Moe Myint, wife of the Minister for Industry-2, and executives, Deputy Minister Brig-Gen Aung Thein Lin and departmental officials, guests, children from the day care centre and their parents.

First, MMCWA Vice-Chairperson Dr Daw Khin Win Shwe extended greetings and MCWA Patron Daw Moe Moe Myint expressed words of thanks. Then, children of the day care centre demonstrated skills. Next, MMCWA Chairperson Prof Daw Kyu Kyu Swe, Vice-Chairperson Dr Daw Khin Win Shwe and MCWA Patron Daw Moe Moe Myint presented prizes to outstanding children. After the ceremony, Dr Daw Khin Win Shwe and party inspected the construction of new building at the day care centre.

Minister Brig-Gen Ohn Myint visits industrial zones

Yangon, 22 March - Minister for Mines Brig-Gen Ohn Myint, accompanied by officials, arrived at the North Okkalapa Industrial Zone this morning. He met with the chairman of the Industrial Zone Management Committee and industrialists and discussed tasks being carried out after establishing industrial zones with the aim of developing industries and future tasks. He gave instructions on ensuring the high quality of the major products, technical development and innovation of finished products and attended to the needs.

 Later, he inspected production of spare parts for tractors and iron melting at the zone. The minister next met with officials at Shwe-paukkan Industrial Zone Supervisory Office and inspected woodwork factory of the Myanmar Pwint Thit Co, the Golden-5 garment factory and the Power iron melting and iron ware factory. Then, he gave instructions on greening of the zone, planting of shady trees and fruit trees, growing of kitchen crops, ensuring work site safety and measures preventing outbreaks of fire

Minister inspects Shwepyitha Industrial Zones

Yangon, 22 March Chairman of the Myanma Industrial Development Work Committee Minister for Industry-2 Maj-Gen Saw Lwin visited the Shwepyitha Industrial Zone Management Committee office of the Shwepyitha Industrial Zone-1, Shwepyitha Township, this morning.

The minister spoke of the purpose of his tour of the industrial zone, arrangements being made by the Work Committee and assistance to be provided by the Ministry of Industry-2. Chairman of the Management Committee U Khin Sein reported on tasks being carried out and requirements.

 The minister fulfilled the needs. Then, the minister arrived at the Metallurgy Engineering and General Services Cooperative Syndicate in the Industrial Zone. The chairman of the Board of Directors reported on placing of import substitute iron melting equipment and lathes. The minister viewed round the factory. Later, the minister inspected production of womenÕ suits and jackets for export.