( 1 ) Secretary -1 attends cash donation ceremony for Thatbyinnyu Stupa

YANGON, 3 Aug - The 21 st cash-presentation ceremony for construction of Thatbyinnyu Stupa was held at the stupa in Mayangon Township, Yangon Division this afternoon, attended by Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt.

The ceremony was opened with the three-time recitation of Namo Tassa.

Secretary of the Work Committee Deputy Minister for Religious Affairs Brig- Gen Thura Aung Ko reported on progress in construction of the stupa.

Then, Chairman of Finance Sub-Committee Deputy Minister for Rail Transportation Thura U Thaung Lwin reported on obtaining of the cash donated by well-wishers and expenditure for the project.

This was followed by cash-presentation ceremony.

The Secretary-l presented K  10 million out of the donations made at the sixth Annual General Meeting of Myanmar Construction Entrepreneurs Association by the association for religious, education, health and social matters and K 324,000 by families of Military Intelligence to Chairman of the Work Committee Minister for Transport Maj-Gen Hla Myint Swe.

Next, Secrctary-l Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt, Minister Maj-Gen Hla Myint Swe and the ministers accepted the donations -K 10 million by Yangon City Development Committee; K 500,000 by the Ministry of Transport; K 200,000 by the Ministry of Industry-2; K 100,000 by the Ministry of Commerce; cash for Hsatthaphudaw by U Tin Htut - Daw Thin Myat Myat Win; K 15 million by Maung Weik family; K 5 million by U Moe Kyaw Thaung family; K 3 million by U Tin Sein - Daw Nan Khan Tip; K 2 million by Jonathan Myo Kyaw Thaung; K I million each by U Thein Oo. Daw Khin Khin Sein and U Myo Thant - Daw San San Myint; K 500,000 each by Asia World Co; Thamadawgyi U Bo Gyi - Daw Than Than; Dr Aung Win-Daw U U Aung and Daw Nyo Nyo Myint (a) Daw Bawgawady (Hmawby The-ingu); K 300,000 by Myanma Shipyards; K 300,000 by Civil A aviation Department; K 300,000 by Marine Administration Department; K 300,000 by  Myanma Airways; K 300,000 Inland. Water Transport; K 300,000 by Myanmar Maritime University; K 300,000 by Institute of Marine Technology; K 300,000 by Myanma Five Stars Line; K 300,000 by Myanma Port Authority; K 300,000 by Directorate of Water Resources and Imprudent of River Systems; and K 300,000 by Mann Myanmar Co; totaling K 60,535,000.

Secretary-l Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt gave necessary- instructions on construction of the Thatbyinnyu Stupa to the officials concerned. Then, the ceremony ended with the recitation of Buddha Sasanam Ciram Titthatu three times.

Afterwards, the Secretary-1 and party inspected round the construction of the Thatbyinnyu Stupa. They also inspected the scale model of Shwe Einsi brick building. They also paid homage to ancient Buddha Images there.

MCEA called on to work harder for development of construction technology, emergence of technicians and skilled workers and to cooperate with government in implementing urban development projects and housing projects
Sixth annual meeting of Myanmar Construction Entrepreneurs Association held

YANOON, 3 Aug- The sixth annual meeting of Myanmar Construction Entrepreneurs Association was held at Karaweik Palace this morning with an address by Chaim1an of the Housing Project Committee Secretary-l of the State Peace and Development Council Lt- Gen Khin Nyunt.

Chairman U Khin Shwe extended greetings. He said there has been increased con. solidated unity and improvement of performance of MCEA under the close supervision of the Secretary-l. Now there are over 900 members of MCEA. With the high performance of its members, the association is cooperating with the government in religion, social, sports, education and economic sectors. He said construction entrepreneurs donated large sums of money to, the fund of the tasks for perpetuation of the Sasana. The government has been carrying out social activities after formation of social organizations.

He spoke at length on co- operation of the construction entrepreneurs in sports, contribution toward education funds and construction of infrastructures since 1989. He said the standard of living has improved considerably due to the development of the private sector. The ratio of quality of life and income is quite different from that of the past. To promote the private sector, entrepreneurs are allowed to engage in agriculture, livestock breeding, hotel industry , construction industry and other industries.

Then, the Secretary-l said that due to concerted efforts of the entire national people under the leadership of the government, the Union of Myanmar is gathering momentum in modernizing and developing herself. It can be found that the socio-economic standard of the national people is improving considerably.

In assessing the living standard of the national people and how much the nation has become modern and developed, modern economic infrastructures and modern buildings of international standard are the fundamental criteria.

Therefore, as momentum is being gained in modernizing and developing the nation, it is necessary to construct modern buildings and economic infrastructures.

In the same way, with the improvement of the socio- economic standard of the national people, housing estates of high standard, resort centers, departmental stores of international standard and modern buildings which contribute to urban development need to emerge as well.

In constructing such modern buildings and economic infrastructures of international standard, construction entrepreneurs playa vital role.

Therefore, the government, recognizing the important role of construction entrepreneurs in modernizing and developing the nation, has paid special emphasis on the development of construction work of national entrepreneurs. At the same time, the government is implementing plans designed to strengthen the national economy and supporting the businesses of national entrepreneurs so that the initiative to shape the national economy can be kept in the hands of the State and the national people.

As a result, the businesses of the national entrepreneurs are thriving with momentum; so is the national construction industry .

The government has con- solidated individuals working for the development of the nation into national forces; therefore, Myanmar Construction Entrepreneurs Association has emerged, and it bas ! become capable of striking a balance between the interests of member construction entrepreneurs and the nation.

As the national construction entrepreneurs are united under the flag of Myanmar Construction Entrepreneurs Association, the association has become a reliable force on which the State can rely.

It is encouraging to see that as the association and construction entrepreneurs have been taking part in the urban development tasks under the leadership of the government, the nation is developing considerably.

New satellite townships have been built; hut-to-high- rise schemes and housing projects have been implemented; buildings which were no longer compatible with urban characteristics have been replaced with modern housing estates. Construction entrepreneurs have undertaken these tasks under the leadership of the government.

In addition, due to the repercussions of economic crisis in south-east Asia, construction projects came to a halt temporarily. During that period, assistance was given to construction entrepreneurs to be able to carry out economic development tasks of the nation concerning agriculture, livestock breeding, edible oil production, import- substitute industry , hotels and recreation centers, trading, production work and services.

Although not only construction industry but also commercial activities and services have been improving gradually due to the support of the government, the fruits of efforts of construction entrepreneurs are still out of reach for common people, government employees and retired employees.

Therefore, Head of State Senior General Than Shwe has given guidance that arrangements are to be made to ease the difficulty of common people, government employees and retired employees with respect to their housing and to see to it that they can have houses of their own at reasonable prices and construction entrepreneurs can get suitable benefits.

In accord with the guidance of Head of State Senior General Than Shwe, City Housing Project Supervisory Committee has been formed, and it is planning housing projects to sell houses directly at reasonable prices to those who really need houses.

The committee has fairly assigned housing projects to national construction entrepreneurs; to decrease the cost of housing projects, the State does not take any benefits, and arrangements have been made to enable them to buy construction materials conveniently.

Therefore, construction entrepreneurs need to realize the lofty aims of the government and the pure goodwill which the government extends to the people; they need to work with goodwill for the emergence of housing estates of high standard and to make only reasonable profits so that the people can have houses of their own at reasonable prices.

The association is to lead construction entrepreneurs in accord with the aims of the government in striving to en- able the nation to keep abreast with other nations and the people to have a higher standard of living. It is to implement housing projects which can really benefit the people. The association is to work hard for the development of construction technology and emergence of technicians and skilled workers and to cooperate with the government in implementing urban development projects and housing projects. The government recognizes the contributions and donations made by executives and members of the association to the education, health, social, religious and cultural sectors.

To uplift the standard of f national sports, construction entrepreneurs are also taking up the chairmanship and vice chainnanship of 18 sports federations, which contribute to some extent to the successful realization of the aims related to sports set by the government.

The participation of construction entrepreneurs not only in construction industry but also in small- and me- dium-scale industries, trading, agriculture and livestock breeding work, production work and services helps improve the national economy. Therefore, all the construction entrepreneurs need to make continued efforts for the development of urban and housing projects and the State under the flag of the association.

Construction entrepreneurs, joining hands with the government, are urged to undertake the tasks benefiting the nation such as urban development projects and housing projects; to maintain the fine tradition of working in an honest way and to continue to work under the leadership of the government.

In conclusion, the Secretary-l said, "May Myanmar Construction Entrepreneurs Association exist for ever and be successful all the more; may the association be able to make strenuous efforts for the development of the nation and improvement of the living standard of the people; may the association be able to participate in the economic sector of the State as much as it can; may construction entrepreneurs be able to work for common good and their interests proportionately and achieve more success than expected."

Next, Chairman U Khin Shwe and executive committee members presented K 20 million donated by MCEA for religious affairs and education, health and social sectors to the Secretary-l.

The second session of the meeting resumed in the afternoon. Chairman U Khin Shwe delivered a speech.

General Secretary U Zaw Win submitted the report of the executive committee and financial statement for approval. Matters relating to amendment of the term of the chairman and suggestions of members of MCEA were discussed.

Next, General Secretary of National Holdings Ltd U Than Myint (Aye Yeik Mon) reported on NHL. The annual meeting came to a close with the concluding remarks of the Chairman of MCEA.

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( 2 ) Bhutanese Foreign Minister to visit Myanmar

YANGON, 4 Aug -At the invitation of U Win Aung, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Union of Myanmar, His Excellency Lyonpo Jigmi Y Thinley, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Royal Government of Bhutan will pay an official visit to the Union of Myanmar in the near future.

 Japanese Foreign Minister arrived

( 3 ) Minister arrives back from 35th ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting

YANGON, 3 Aug- Minister for Foreign Affairs U Win Aung this morning arrived back here after attending the 35th ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting, ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Informal Meeting, the third ASEAN+3 Foreign Ministers' Meeting, the 9th ASEAN Regional Forum and ASEAN and Dialogue Partners Foreign Ministers' Meeting held in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei from 29 July to 1 August.

The minister was welcomed back at the airport by Minister for Home Affairs Col Tin Hlaing, Minister for Labour U Tin Winn, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs U Khin Maung Win and officials.

During his stay in Brunei, Minister U Win Aung at- tended the 35th ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting held, from 29 and 30 July, ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Informal Meeting on 29 July, the meeting of the commission on nuclear weapon free zone in South East Asia Region on 30 July, the third ASEAN+3 Foreign Minisers' Meeting on 30 July, the 9th ASEAN Regional Forum on 31 July and ASEAN and Dialogue Partners Foreign Ministers' Meeting on 1 August.

Minister U Win Aung attended the 9th ASEAN Regional Forum on 30 July and explained development in Myanmar, the results of endeavors for national solidarity and cooperation between Myanmar and UN agencies.

Minister U Win Aung attended ASEAN and dialogue partners meeting (ASEAN+ 10) on 1 August and discussed narcotic drugs issues under the topic of transnational crime. The minister explained anti-narcotic drugs activities in ASEAN region and Myanmar's the New Destiny Plan and programmers for eradication of narcotic drugs and development in the country .

Minister U Win Aung acted, as Joint Chairman of ASEAN-Japan Foreign Ministers; meeting on 1 August. He reviewed cooperation between ASEAN members and Japan on the 21st  century, promotion of economic, investment and technological sectors and the future of relations between ASEAN and dialogue partner Japan. Myanmar will serve as a coordinator of ASEAN and dialogue partner Korea in July 2003. The minister delivered a speech at the ASEAN and Korea Foreign Ministers' Meeting. On behalf of ASEAN nations, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Brunei and the Secretary of State of USA signed an , agreement on the fight against terrorism between ASEAN memoer nations and the United States. On 1 Au- gust. Minister U Win Aung attended the ceremony.

Minister U Win Aung, together with ASEAN and dialogue partners Foreign Ministers paid a courtesy call on King of Brunei Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah on 1 Au- gust. Minister U Win Aung met, Foreign Minister of : Brunei H R H Mohamed Bolkiah on 29 July, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China Mr Yang Jiaxian, Minister for Foreign Affairs of India Mr Jaswant Singha, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Thailand Dr Surakiart Sathiathai, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Australia Mr Alexander Downer and Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr Ramos Horta and discussed and exchanged views on regional and bilateral relations.

Minister U Win Aung met correspondents of Asahi Shimbun, Myanmar Times and AP TV station and replied to their queries. He also explained cooperation of national race leaders for eradication of narcotic drugs in Myanmar and current developments in Myanmar.

( 4 )  ASEAN Food , Festival held

YANGON, 3 Aug - In commemoration of the 35th Anniversary of ASEAN Day, which falls on 8 Aug 2002, the Myanmar ASEAN Women's Friendship Association ( MAWFA ) organized the ASEAN Food Festival as one of its activities, at Mahawthada Hall, Zizawa Yeiktha, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs at 11 am today.

Present on the occasion were Leader of the Board of Patrons of MAWFA Dr Daw Khin Win Shwe, members of the Board of Patrons of MAWFA, Daw San Yone, wife of the Minister for Foreign Affairs, honorable members, wives of the ministers, Daw Khin Swe Soe, wife of the Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs, wives of ASEAN Ambassadors in Yangon, wives of department heads of MOFA, families from Diplomatic Corps and United Nation Agencies in Yangon and members of MAWFA.

The food festiva:1 successfully concluded at 2 pm.

ASEAN-COCI Chairman leaves for home

YANGON, 3 Aug - Chairman of the ASEAN Committee on Culture and Information Deputy Minister of Culture and Information of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam Mr Tran Chien Thang, after attending the " Fourth Meeting of the ASEAN-COCI Sub-Committee on Culture held in Yangon from 31 July to 2 August, left here by air this morning.

He was seen off at Yangon International Airport by Deputy Minister for culture U Soe Nyunt, Chairman of Myanmar ASEAN National Committee on Culture and Information Director- General of the Department of Cultural Institute U Myint Thlein Swe and officials.

Similarly, the leaders and members of the delegations from the ASEAN member countries and officials of the ASEAN Secretariat left here by air today. They were seen off at the airport by Director- General U Myint Thein Swe  and officials.

( 5 ) USDA CEC members tour Kengtung

YANGON, 3 Aug - CEC members of the Union Solidarity and Development Association Minister Col Thein Nyunt and Deputy Minister Brig-Gen Thura Myint Maung met with local national races of Kartpha Village Tract and Yankyain Villale Tract, Kengtung Township, Shan State (East), at the monastery of Phakan Village yesterday afternoon.

First, CEC member Col Thein Nyunt made a speech. He said the living standard of the national races and development of border areas, which lagged behind others in the time of the successive governments, halve now improved considerably due to the efforts which have been exerted since 1989 by the Border Areas and National Races Development Central Committee chaired by Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Senior General Than Shwe and the Border Areas

and National Races Development Work Committee chaired by Secretary-l of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt. He also urged the local national races to safeguard Our Three Main National Causes with the Union Spirit.

Then, CEC member Brig-Gen Thura Myint .Maung made a speech on peace and tranquility of wards and villages, prevalence of law and order and the life security of women.

Chairmen U Nan Sai and U Sai San Mya of Kartpha Village and Yankyain Village Peace and Development Councils reported on requirements concerning rural transportation, education and health sectors. Minister Col Thein Nyunt fulfilled the requirements.

The CEC members and the deputy commander donated exercise books, stationery, clocks and school uniforms for village primary schools and medicines for rural clinics. The CEC members and party arrived back in Kengtung and met with the secretary and executives of Shan State (East) and executives of Kengtung District and Township USDAs at the office of Shan State (East) USDA and urged them to actively participate in rural development tasks and consolidation of national unity .

They also met with the local national' races of Karttaung/Kataik and other 9 villages adjacent to them at Karttaung Village this morning and discussed maters related to Our Three Main National Causes, national solidarity , strengthening the Un- ion Spirit.

Chairmen U Lon Twi and U Nar Mwai of Karttaung Village and Wankari Village Peace and Development Councils and organizer U Sai Tan of Karttaung Village USDA reported on requirements concerning rural transportation, agriculture, education and health sectors. Minister Col Thein Nyunt fulfilled the requirements. The USDA CEC members and the deputy commander donated exercise books, stationery , clocks and school uniforms for village primary schools and medicines for rural clinics. Then, the minister and party inspected the Basic Education Middle School in the village and distributed exercise books donated by the Border Areas and National Races Development Work Committee to the students.

YANGON, 3 Aug -Member of the Central Executive Committee of the Union Solidarity and Development Association U Soe Tha, went to Shansugyi Village in Twantay this morning.

He gave instructions on water supply for the village. He also offered Waso robes, alms and rice to the Sayadaw and members of the Silngha at Nyaungdaga Monastery in Twantay:

In the afternoon, he visited Shwesandaw Pagoda in Twantay and gave instructions on renovation of the pagoda. He then inspected the basic education high school and met with township authorities, members of the school board of trustees and the parent-teacher association, departmental officials, the secretary and executives of Town- ship USDA. He attended to the requirements for teachings aids. He also met with the secretary , executives and organizers of Township, Ward and Village USDAs at the office of Township USDA.

Bahan Township USDA holds annual general meeting

YANGON, 3 Aug -The annual general meeting 2002 of Bahan Township Union Solidarity and Development Association was held at Mae Oo Pan Hall of Basic Education High School No 1 in Bahan Township this morning. USDA CEC Member Yangon Division In-charge Col Tin Hlaing attended the meeting and made a speech.

Cot Tin Hlaing and officials presented prizes to the outstanding members. Then, the CEC member accepted the cash donations and 6,651 membership applications and presented certificates of honour to the well-wishers. Executive of Yangon West District USDA U Myint Hsaung presided over the meeting. Township Secretary U Ye Kyaw Thu Shwe and executives presented reports on four tasks carried out and five rural development tasks, followed by a general round of discussions.

( 6 ) Minister inspects factories

YANGON. 3 Aug -Minister for Industry-2 Maj - Gen Saw Lwin, together with officials, inspected construction of a power sub-station in Indaknw Industrial Zone this morning.

Then he inspected the smelting workshop. the ball bearing factory and the aluminium wire factory and gave instructions, Afterwards, he inspected the power-tiller engine factory of Myanma Agricultural Machinery lndustries.