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Established in 1914
1. Secretary-1 greets contestants to Myanma Traditional Cultural Performing 2. Lt-Gen Kyaw Win inspects use of electricity at ministries
3. Minister inspects use of electricity at YGH
4. Stone inscription bearing Building Modern Developed Nation with Education unvelied
5. Commerce Minister inspects industrial zones
6. Performing Arts Competitions Leading Committee meets team managers 7. Instructor course on reproductive health opens
8. Rules of 58th Anniversary Armed Forces Day painting, sculpture competitions
announced
9. Raw opium, Phensedyl and marijuana seized
SPOTLIGHT
( 1 )Secretary-1 greets contestants to Myanma Traditional Cultural Performing
Yangon, 17 Oct- A ceremony to welcome contestants from states and divisions who will take part in the 10th Myanma Traditional Cultural Performing Arts Competitions was held at the National Theatre on Myoma Kyaung Street in Dagon Township this afternoon.
Patron for Organizing the 10th Myanma Traditional Cultural Performing Arts Competitions Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council General Khin Nyunt attended the ceremony and cordially greeted the contestants.
The Secretary-1 cordially greeted members of the Panel of Patrons and the Leading Committee and the managers. After the ceremony, Patron for Organizing the 10th Myanma Traditional Cultural Performing Arts Competitions Secretary-1 General Khin Nyunt met doyen artistes at the parlour of the theatre and presented medicines to them.
( 2 ) Lt-Gen Kyaw Win inspects use of electricity at ministries
Yangon, 17 Oct - Chairman of Electricity and Fuel Utilization Inspection Committee member of the State Peace and Development Council Chief of Armed Forces Training Lt-Gen Kyaw Win, inspected the frugal use of electricity at the Irrigation Department of the Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation yesterday and gave instructions on the switching off of unnecessary lights, consumption of electricity as required for security reason, repair of problem switches, and the use of fluorescent lamps.
Lt-Gen Kyaw Win and party also inspected the electricity consumption at the Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation, the Ministry of Forestry, the Ministry of Culture and the Ministry of Construction and left instructions.
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Minister receives Italian Ambassador
Yangon, 17 Oct- Minister for Cooperatives Lt-Gen Tin Ngwe received Ambassador of Italy Dr Raffaele Miniero at his office on Bogyoke Aung San Street this afternoon.___________________________
Italian tourists arrive by chartered flight
Yangon, 17 Oct- Under the supervision of the Ministry of Hotels and Tourism with the sponsorship of the Ministry of Transport and the Myanmar Lotus Asia Tours Ltd, the chartered flight Lauda Air Boeing 767/300 carrying 16 tourists from the Republic of Italy arrived here this morning. The tourists will be on Yangon-Bagan-Popa-Mandalay-Pindaya-Inlay trip and they will leave here on 24 October. Those who arrived here on 10 October left here for home this morning.
Yangon, 17 Oct - Minister for Health Maj-Gen Ket Sein arrived at Yangon General Hospital on Bogyoke Aung San Road here this afternoon and inspected use of electricity there. The minister visited transformer meter and generator building and inspected distribution of electricity to the units of the hospital. Medical Superintendent Dr Aung Htut and officials conducted him around there.
The minister gave necessary instructions. Afterwards, the minister visited X-ray room and inspected uses of ultrasound TV, MRI, Lithotriptor, CT Scanner and Angiogram. After giving instructions to the officials, the minister met patients and spoke words of encouragement.
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Transport Minister inspects Dalla Dockyard
Yangon, 17 Oct - Minister for Transport Maj-Gen Hla Myint Swe, accompanied by Deputy Minister Brig-Gen Kyaw Myint, Managing Director of the Inland Water Transport U Tun Aung Myint and officials, inspected Dalla Dockyard and staff quarters here this morning. Senior Engineer U Tun Myint reported to the minister on construction of ships, strength of staffs, and construction works.
Next, U Tun Aung Myint reported on systematic and frugal use of electricity and fuel by organizing committees and supervising at different level. The minister gave instructions on use of electricity at staff quarters by using separate meter boxes. Then, the minister and party inspected Bala Kyaw Htin vessel repairing at the dock, conditions of dockyard and construction of new vessels and attended to the needs.
They then inspected the staff quarters constructed near the dockyard and shops which is being rented for staff welfare and Nanthidar Jetty (Yangon).
Yangon, 17 Oct - The Ministry of Education is implementing the 30-year long term education project in accordance with Myanma Education Goal - Emergence of an education system which can create a constant learning society that can face the challenge of the present education era.
With the aim of turning Myanma society into a modern developed one, the opening ceremony of the stone inscription bearing Building Modern Developed Nation with Education was held at No 1 Basic Education High School in Dagon Township this afternoon.
It was attended by Minister for Education U Than Aung, Deputy Ministers Brig-Gen Soe Win Maung and U Myo Nyunt, directors-general of the departments under the ministry, officials, chairmen of township Union Solidarity and Development Associations, social organizations, the township education officer, principals, members of school boards of trustees, executives of parent-teacher association, teachers, students and guests.
The congregation took positions at the assembly ground of the school and saluted the National Flag. The students sang the National Anthem.
The students who won gold medals in the previous Myanma Traditional Cultural Performing Arts Competitions formally unveiled the stone inscription. Afterwards, the first graders sang the song titled Myanma Kyaung (Myanmar school) and the first session ended.
The second session followed at Dagon Thiri Hall of the school. The minister made a speech on the occasion. Then, Schoolmaster U Kyaw Kyaw spoke words of thanks. Next, eighth grader Ma Han Thu Aung gave a pledge to implement the goal.
Later, the students sang the song titled Pyi Myanmar, which brought the ceremony to a close.
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Student guides donated to students of border areas
Yangon, 17 Oct- A ceremony to donate student guides to border area youth development training schools of the Education and Training Department of the Ministry of Progress of Border Areas and National Races and Development Affairs schools in border areas was held at the meeting hall of the Development Affairs Department in Botahtaung Township this afternoon.
First, Minister for PBANRDA Col Thein Nyunt made a speech. In his speech the minister said that the development tasks of the education sector of border areas were being implemented with added momentum in order to promote the education standard of national races. There were only 1,541 primary school students and 12 middle school students in 1989. Now, 55,018 primary stage students, 23,084 middle stage students, and 3,992 high school students were pursuing their education at the schools in border areas. A total of 654 students who had passed the matriculation were studying higher education. Student guides would be delivered to the students as soon as possible. Then, the minister thanked the wellwishers.
Afterwards, on behalf of the wellwishers, Rector Dr Soe Yin and U Nyunt Oo of Sanda Nyunt Publishing House explained the purpose of donation. Then, the minister accepted 900 books worth K 630,000 donated by Rector Dr Soe Yin and professors of Yangon University, 3,500 books worth K 1,577,500 by U Nyunt Oo and wife Daw Khin Win of Sanda Nyunt Publishing House, 2,220 books worth K 827,000 by U Sein Myint Aung and wife of Shwe Gangaw Publishing House, 700 books worth K 390,000 by U Hla Myint and wife Daw Khin Mar Cho of Pan Wai Wai Publishing House, and 300 books worth K 140,000 by U Aung Thein Han and Wife Daw Khin Khin Gyi of Sarpayhmwethu Publishing House and presented certificates of honours to them.
Deputy Minister U Kyaw Tin accepted 300 books worth 130,000 donated by U Ye Wai (Myanmarsar), and Deputy Minister Brig-Gen Than Tun, 900 books worth K 415,000 donated by U Kyaw Thu of Versity Publishing House. The deputy ministers also presented certificates of honour to the wellwishers. Then, Director-General Col Than Win of the Education and Training Department spoke words of thanks. Departments of Yangon University and seven wellwishers donated 8,270 books worth K 4,110,500 today.
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Minister attends work coord meeting of GAD
Yangon, 17 Oct - The second four-monthly work coordination meeting for 2002 of the General Administration Department of the Ministry of Home Affairs was held at the head office of the department this morning, with an address by Minister for Home Affairs Col Tin Hlaing.
In his address, the minister urged state and division commissioners to implement the policies and guidance of the State, to practise thrifty on use of fuel oil and electricity, and to strive together with departments concerned and social organizations in implementation of five rural development tasks, eradication of narcotic drug, and prevention of human trafficking and transnational crimes. Then, the deputy minister made a speech. The meeting continues tomorrow.
Yangon, 17 Oct - Minister for Commerce Brig-Gen Pyi Sone in-charge of South Okkalapa and Thakayta Industrial Zones this afternoon inspected production of three-ton trucks and Jeep cars being undertaken by industrialists in South Okkalapa Industrial Zone.
At the office of the Industrial Zone Management Committee, the minister met with the industrialists. After that, he went to Thakayta Industrial Zone and met with the industrialists at the Industrial Zone Management Committee office. In meeting with the industrialists, the minister said that there is full supply of electricity for speedy development of the industrial zones.
He called on the industrialists to make efforts to be able to reduce the production expenses, to sell their products at reasonable prices, to use electricity efficiently and to boost production. Then, the minister fulfilled their requirements.
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MAPT course concludes
Yangon, 17 Oct - The conclusion ceremony of the management course No 1/2002 for factory managers and the opening of refresher course No 2/2002 for the managers (management) of the Myanma Agricultural Produce Trading was held at the MAPT head office on Bogyoke Aung San Road here today.
Minister for Commerce Brig-Gen Pyi Sone made a speech and presented first, second and third prizes to the outstanding trainees and gifts to the instructors. Later, a representative trainee spoke words of thanks which brought the ceremony to an end.
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CPT Ministry holds coord meeting
Yangon, 17 Oct- The second four-monthly work coordination meeting 2002 of the Ministry of Communications, Posts and Telegraphs was held at the meeting hall of the ministry in Ahlon Township this morning.
It was attended by Minister for CPT Brig-Gen Thein Zaw, the managing director, the general manager and senior heads of departments of the Myanma Posts and Telecommunications, the director-general and directors of the Directorate of Telecommunications and managers from states and divisions. The minister made a speech on the occasion.
Then, the MPT and states and divisions managers reported on works carried out up to second four-monthly and tasks to be carried out. Then, officials presented supplementary reports. The minister gave necessary instructions on their reports. Later, the minister made a concluding remarks and the meeting ended in the afternoon.
Yangon, 17 Oct- Chairman of the Leading Committee for Organizing Tenth Myanma Traditional Cultural Performing Arts Competitions met with managers of teams from states and divisions at No 1 Transit Centre in Bayintnaung yesterday evening.
Chairman of the Leading Committee Chairman of Yangon Division Peace and Development Council Commander of Yangon Command Maj-Gen Myint Swe attended the meeting and delivered a speech.
The managers of teams from states and divisions reported on matters concerning the competitions. After hearing the reports, Chairman of the Leading Committee Maj-Gen Myint Swe said that the Myanma Traditional Cultural Performing Arts Competitions preserving the national culture and characteristics which has been in existence for thousands of years is the one to be proud of and it is yearly held in accord with the guidance of the Head of State.
The commander expressed pleasure to see more candidates for this year's competitions. Finally, the commander urged the competitors to take part in the competitions with great effort. The ceremony then came to a close at 9 pm.
Yangon, 17 Oct - Jointly-organized by Myanmar Maternal and Child Welfare Association and UN Population's Fund, a ceremony to open an instructor course on the reproductive health for Bago, Waw, Yedashe, Nyaunglaybin and DaikU townships under the reproductive health programme in Bago Division took place at Thiri Oktha Hall in Bago this morning.
Vice-Chairperson of Myanmar Maternal and Child Welfare Association Dr Daw Khin Win Shwe, CEC members, Patron of the Supervisory Committee for Bago Division MCWA wife of the Commander of Southern Command Dr Wai Wai Tha and members of the panel of the patrons, members of Bago Division Peace and Development Council, the assistant resident representative of UNPF, division-level departmental heads, officials, members of townships' MCWAs, Women's Affairs Committee members, Union Solidarity and Development Association and trainees.
Vice-Chairperson of MMCWA Dr Daw Khin Win Shwe gave an opening speech on the occasion. Then, Daw Khin Ma Ma Aye, assistant resident representative of UNPF, delivered an address. Altogether 75 trainees are attending the course that will last from today to 20 October. Vice-Chairperson Dr Daw Khin Win Shwe and party also went to the Youth Education Training Camp conducted by the Supervisory Committee for Bago Division MCWA and encouraged the youths at the camp.
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Live coverage of opening ceremony of Tenth Myanma Traditional Cultural Performing Arts Competitions
Yangon, 17 Oct - The opening ceremony of the Tenth Myanma Traditional Cultural Performing Arts Competitions will be held at the National Theatre on Myoma Kyaung Street in Dagon Township on 18 October. TV Myanmar will telecast the ceremony live beginning 6.30 am.
Yangon, 17 Oct- As a gesture of hailing the 58th Anniversary Armed Forces Day, which falls on 27 March 2003, the subcommittee for the holding of painting and sculpture competition and exhibition of the work committee for the organizing of poem and arts competition led by Deputy Minister for Culture U Soe Nyunt (Htila Sitthu) as chairman announced that the painting and sculpture competition will be held with the following rules.
The painting competition will be divided into six categories - the first for pre-primary school level, the second for junior primary school level (kindergarten to second grade), the third for senior primary school level (third grade and fourth grade), the fourth for middle school level (fifth grade to eighth grade), the fifth for high school level (ninth grade to technological and agricultural high schools) and the sixth for professional level. There will be only one category in the sculpture competition, the wood sculpture and the plaster sculpture at professional level. Anyone may take part in both.
In the painting competition from kindergarten to high school levels, the size of the entry must be 15" x 20", and 20" x 30" for professional level. Name, NRC No, class, school, township, date of birth, father's name, address must be expressed on the back of the painting, with three 1.5" x 2"-size photos attached.
For students, the endorsement of the schoolhead is needed. For the sculpture competition, the height of the entry must not be over 36" and its circumference not longer than 24". At the foot of the sculpture, name, NRC No, date of birth, father's name, address must be shown, with three 1.5" x 2"-size photos attached and send the entry right to Tatmadaw Convention Centre, U Wisaya Road, between 1 and 3 March 2003.
All the entries, painting or sculpture, must reflect the twelve objectives of the State, the objectives of 58th Anniversary Armed Forces Day and the twelve fine traditions of the Tatmadaw. Entries of both professional levels should be sent to Secretary, Myanmar Traditional Artists and Artisans Asiayon (Central), Pabedan Township, Yangon, not later than 1 March 2003 or to Secretary, Subcommittee for the Holding of Painting and Sculpture Competition and Exhibition, U Wisaya Road, Tatmadaw Convention Centre, Yangon, between 1 and 3 March 2003. Entries of students all over Myanmar should be sent to Development Division, Education Planning and Training Department, Natmauk Street, Bahan Township, Yangon, not later than 15th February 2003.
Apart from the entries for both competitions, other paintings and sculptures may be sent to be displayed at the exhibition to be opened in honour of the 58th Anniversary Armed Forces Day. Those paintings and sculptures must also feature the twelve objectives of the State, the objectives of 58th Anniversary Armed Forces Day and the twelve fine traditions of the Tatmadaw and should be sent directly to Tatmadaw Convention Centre, U Wisaya Road, between 1 and 5 March 2003.
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MOFA issues Press release regarding report of Human Rights Watch
As report appears to be based on testimony of so-called deserters in Thailand, their statements are indeed very questionableYangon, 17 Oct- The following is the text of the Press Release issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs today.
The New York based Human Rights Watch in its recent report has claimed that Myanmar Armed Forces have recruited large number of children as soldiers and that child soldiers constitute as much as 20 per cent of the total force.
It is an allegation that has no basis whatever and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs completely rejects the assertion. The report is just another example of the attempts to tarnish the image of Myanmar and the Myanmar Tatmadaw in the eyes of the international community. It is no accident that the report appeared on the eve of an important visit by a high ranking UN official and at a time the United Nations General Assembly is starting to consider human rights questions. As such, the report is nothing but an attempt to put pressure on Myanmar and to interfere in the internal affairs of the country.
Moreover, as the report appears to be based on the testimony of so-called deserters in Thailand, their statements are indeed very questionable. People in Myanmar are already very familiar with the practice of the anti-government elements based in Thailand and other countries to trot out so-called "witnesses" to make all sorts of statements.
Indeed, many of these witnesses are none other than members and families of the insurgents and anti-government elements. It is regrettable that some organizations, in their prejudice against Myanmar, sought to give credence to such machinations.
The Ministry would like to reiterate the fact that under the Defence Services Act of April 1974 and War Office Regulation 13/73 a person cannot be enlisted into the armed forces unless he has attained the age of 18. This regulation is strictly enforced. Moreover, the Myanmar Armed Forces is a purely voluntary army and those entering the military service to do so at their own free will. There is neither a draft system nor forced conscription in the country.
On the other hand, the use of child soldiers by the armed insurgent groups is well documented. To site but one example, the Kayin armed terrorist group known as "God's Army" which operated on the Myanmar-Thailand border was led by twin child
Yangon, 17 Oct- A combined team comprising members of the local battalion, local intelligence unit and Myanmar Police Force, made a thorough body search on Daw Nan, daughter of U La Mar Gan of Ward 4, Seikmu Village, Hpakant Township, and Ma Kyi Kyi Win Shein, daughter of U Win Shein in the compound of Naba Railway Station, Indaw, while they were walking near the exit of Tarmakhan Village, Phakant on 15 September and seized 2.449 grams of raw opium on them.
A similar team, acting on information, searched the house of Kyin Khant Lan, son of U Gin Khant Lan of Region-13, Panglong Ward, Kalay on 5 October and seized a total of five bottles with 0.5 liters of Phensedyl in his house. On further investigation, they searched the house of Khan Shin Kam of Layeinhsu Village and altogether 40 bottles with 4 liters of Phensedyl were seized from Ma Man Lun Kyein, sister of the householder.
Members of local intelligence unit, acting on a tip-off, stopped a passenger bus with number plates 5 Kha/ 2412, en route from Kyaukgyi to Yangon, at the toll-gate in Mingaladon Township on 8 October and seized a total of 16.3 kilos of marijuana from passengers namely Zaw Win Tun, son of U Hla Win Zaykalay Ward, of Kyeemyindaing, and Thant Zin, son of U Sein Shwe of Zaykalay Ward. Further investigation led to the arrest of marijuana owner Hlaing Win Oo, son of U Pwa of Hlaingthaya.
Action is being taken against them under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Law.
Key tourism role for airline exec
MAJOR Selvakumar, the chief operating officer of Air Mandalay, is the new chairman of one of the nation’s most significant marketing bodies charged with increasing the country’s tourism image. By a show of hands the Myanmar Marketing Committee (MMC) of the Myanmar Tourism Promotion Board elected a new nine-member executive committee chaired by Mr Selvakumar, a Malaysian national, when it met at the Traders Hotel last Thursday. According to the press statement released by MMC, the purpose of the meeting was to elect a new committee for one year and adopt a constitution, which would govern the day to day running of MMC in a transparent and equitable manner. "The first meeting of new executive members will be on October 16 to formulate a plan to promote and market Myanmar," said Mr Selvakumar. The new constitution would provide guidelines for the committee to manage the MMC, and is a clear signal that the marketing committee is finally serious on being expertly organised. Mr Selvakumar’s task comes at crucial time with the Minister of Tourism is stating publicly that it was time for earnest work in a bid to capture one million visitors annually. In his first public statement, Mr Selvakumar’s said his role was to ensure greater awareness about Myanmar’s tourist attractions. Promoting year-round travel, even during the monsoon period, was one of the challenges facing the tourism sector. Referring to the appointment of three Myanmar travel agents to the executive committee, Mr Selva-kumar said: "We want everybody to be involved in the committee, we want all people who have experience or expertise in tourism". Mr Brett Melzer from Balloons Over Bagan was elected as vice chairman, Ms Elly Darley from Inle Princess Resort was elected as secretary and Daw Rita Myint of Taw Win Travel was elected as treasurer. The other executive committee members included Inya Lake hotel’s Mr Suki Singh, Mr Jehan. Wickremesooriya from Kadawgyi Palace Hotel, U Aung Myat Kyaw from Orchestra Travel, U Min Din from Columbus travels and tours, and Traders’ hotel’s Mr Raymond Bragg. The executive members were elected to serve on the committee until the end of 2003, the press statement said. An MMC member, Mr Franz Fisher, the country manager at Diethelm Travel Company welcomed the adoption of a new constitution. "Our company would give the maximum support not only for the MMC but also for UMTA (Union of Myanmar Travel Association)," said Mr Fischer. "But the annual membership fees of US$400 is too high for most small local companies. In my opinion, it should be considerably reduced in order to attract more members," he said. Myanmar Marketing Committee has 30 members from all sections of the tourism industry, including the members of UMTA.
Myanmar Times ( Oct.14-20) , 2002-Vol.7, No. 137 )
Tour operators, ecologists agree on need to conserve mangrove forests
TOUR operators and ecologists rarely find themselves sitting on the same side of the fence. But as Myanmar prepares for the tourist high season – which accounts for most the 200,000 foreigners who visit each year – ecologists are happy to discover that the tourism sector is among their most vocal supporters, at least on the issue of conserving mangrove forests. Mangrove forests are among the world’s most important ecosystems. They provide a habitat for a diverse range of creatures, act as a filter which helps to keep the sea clean and protect coastal areas from the effects of bad weather. They are also important for the survival of offshore coral reefs. Mangroves are under threat throughout the world and more than half of the forests have been depleted. Myanmar is fortunate to have vast mangrove forests but they are being rapidly thinned. For example, more than 82 per cent of the mangrove forests in Ayeyarwaddy Division were depleted between 1924 and 1999, according to figures from the highly-regarded non-government organisa-tion, the Forest Resource Environment Development and Conservation Association, FREDA. Even in areas where they receive government protection, mangrove forests are being destroyed. As a recent report by FREDA noted: "Forest law (can) not over-rule the social and economic needs of the people." Mangrove trees are cut down for fuel and to produce charcoal. Mangroves forests are cleared to make way for paddy fields and, increasingly, shrimp farms. The growth of the shrimp farming industry is a concern for ecologists. They cite Fisheries Department figures which show that the value of shrimp exports for the five months to August 31 rose from almost US$40 million in 2001 to $42.5 million this year. Tourism experts are more worried about the effect of deforestation on the natural beauty and wildlife diversity of coastal areas. Fewer mangrove forests mean fewer dolphins, fewer crocodiles, and fewer birds. Fewer animals means fewer ecotourists. Dr Thomas Bauer, assistant professor at the School of Hotel and Tourism Management at Hong Kong Polytechnic University, stressed the importance of protecting mangroves during a telephone interview withMyanmar Times last week. "In a world where nature is being pushed back more and more to make way for development and ‘progress’, mangroves, together with their associated ecosystems such as rainforests, must be protected," Dr Bauer said.
He referred to one of Hong Kong’s most successful ecotourism sites, the Mai Po Nature Reserve, where the "migratory birds that make the reserve famous in turn feed on the marine life" sustained by its mangrove forests. Mr Oliver Soe Thet believes that there is enormous potential for developing ecotourism sites along the coast of Rakhine State, an area with which he is familiar through his involvement in the tourism sector. Now with the Treasure Hotel at Ngwe Saung beach, Mr Soe That has also worked at the Bayview Hotel at Ngapoli Beach, further to the west. He said other hotel owners at Ngwe Saung had told him that they had been asked by the government to conserve as many mangrove and coconut trees as possible when developing their projects. "This is an excellent step from the Myanmar government [in terms of] fostering ecotourism of an international standard," he said. Mr Edwin Briels, the marketing and incentive manager at the Exotissimo tour company’s Yangon office, eschews the term ‘ecotourism’. Mr Briels says he prefers the term ‘sustainable tourism’, which he defines as tourism that supports both the environment and traditional ways of life and is the tourist experience that Exotissimo strives to provide. All three echo the advice of the Wildlife Conservation Society’s Myanmar Program, which has achieved remarkable success in cooperation with the government in efforts to conserve the forests in the north of the country. The program’s motto is: ‘Protect first and develop later.’ It is a sound principle for ecologists and the tourism industry alike.
Myanmar Times ( Oct.14-20) , 2002-Vol.7, No. 137 )
Strong Myanmar presence for ‘first ever’ ASEAN trade fair
By Aung Kyaw Tha
AN unprecedented Asean Trade Fair in Bangkok this week will be a first for Myanmar, a Thai embassy official said last week. "This is the first such fair to involve all 10 Asean nations, the first to be hosted by Thailand and the first to include participation by Myanmar," the commercial counsellor at the Thai embassy, Mr Matyawongse Amatyakul, toldMyanmar Times. Nearly 30 Myanmar companies have exhibits at the week-long Asean Trade Fair 2002, which opened on October 14 at the Impact Exhibition Centre at the Muang Thong Thani housing estate in Bangkok’s northern suburbs Most of the companies are involved in the gems, jewellery, furniture and home decoration businesses, Mr Matyawongse said. The aims of the event include promoting Asean products and services on the world market and providing a platform for partnerships among industries in the 10 countries, he said. As well as business exhibits, each Asean country will be represented by a national pavilion, with Myanmar’s featuring a model of a traditional palace. Mr Matyawongse said nearly 800 booths would be featured at the fair, which is being organised by the Thai Commerce Ministry with assistance from the counterpart ministries in the other Asean countries. The fair – a biennual event – will be opened by the Thai Prime Minister, Mr Thaksin Shina-watra, at a ceremony to be attended by Asean commerce ministers. The Myanmar companies taking part in the event include the Ayawaddy (Mandalay), Khine Mingalar, Thurine Ne and Shwe Ingyin gems and jewellery cooperatives, the Than Swe wooden ware and furniture cooperative and the Sun Myanmar (Elephant House) handicrafts company. U Tun Hla Aung from Ayawaddy (Mandalay) Gems and Jewellery cooperative toldMyanmar Timesin telephone interview that 80 Myanmar nationals from the government and private sector would be in Bangkok for the trade fair.
Myanmar Times ( Oct.14-20) , 2002-Vol.7, No. 137 )
Conserving the nation’s resources WASTE not, want not: This was a lesson that was instilled in me as a child by my mother and as teenager by my monk and mentor at the monastery when I was preparing to enter the monkhood as a novice, which all Myanmar boys of the Buddhist faith are required to do on coming of age. As a child my five siblings and I the eldest, had our meals together on a small round low lacquer table known as adaung-lan which also served as a large dish. Each child had his own portion of food and I remember how as a child we would dig into it boisterously. It was also a strict household rule that the one who finished last was responsible for cleaning up, washing and drying the dish-cum-table. I was the oldest but also the slowest eater, and every time, it fell upon me to wash up. My mother seeing this used to be very irritated and knock me on the head saying I was always the last because "I was wasting time unnecessarily".
When I had to live in the monastery to prepare for my novitiation ceremony, it was the same. All the other boys finished their meal first and here again I was left to wash all the dishes. I used to pile the dishes one on top of the other to take them to the tap for washing. On seeing this one day, my mentor, the monk U Dhamma gave me a good caning and I still remember his admonishment, "The bottom of the dishes have now been smeared with oil and food, so that means you have to use more soap and more water to clean them, and it takes longer which is therefore an unnecessary waste of soap and water". Later as an adult, I realised that in my native village in the dry, hot and water sparse Shwebo District, water and soap were precious items. But most precious of all to both my mother and my mentor was the waste of time. In addition to time, which is irretrievable, we should use wisely and not waste money, property wealth and of course our nations resources. Since the time of our parents and forefathers this lesson in thrift has been passed down to us but how many of us adhere to this maxim. If we did, it would benefit each person, each family and the whole nation as well.
As Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Senior General Than Shwe has exhorted us, we are today in the midst of building and reconstructing a new, modernised and developed nation. So especially with regard to the use of electrical power and fuel he has instructed all heads of departments at all levels to economise in its use. Government departments should be the first to set a good example. To economise on the use of electrical power, we should use the natural light of which we have on inexhaustible supply in our country of sunshine and use artificial light only when necessary. In the production and services sector also we should try to use the absolute minimum. In this way we can then fully meet the needs of our industrial and economic zones. The increased supply and distribution would lead to increased production and this would mean open up job opportunities and also bring down cost of living for the people. More electricity generated would further lessen the need to use diesel oil to run machinery and engines.
Among the countries in Southeast Asia, Myanmar was the first to use hydroelectric power. We were able to build the Lawpita Hydroelectric Power Plant and I still remember how filled with joy and pride we were. Our slogan then was: "We shall build a paradise on earth with electrical power." Electrical energy plays a vital role in the State’s economy, especially in commodity production and the social sector. The expansion of production in the economic sector on the one hand and the rise of the standard of living with better health care and educational facilities on the other, all require a greater supply and distribution of electrical power. To meet these necessary demands, the Government, after 1988, has implemented 26 hydro electrical power projects, and 6 projects for the use of natural gas turbines and recycled waste energy.
So 32 new power plants are now supplying much needed electrical energy. Compared to former figure of the supply of electricity has increased three-fold. But, due to the progress made in industry with new factories and plants in the industrial zones, the expansion in the service sector and the population growth that has led to the setting up of new townships with residential buildings, the supply of electrical power cannot yet fully meet demand. The Government is at present implementing short-term plans for enhancing the economy and it is at work on its Third Five-Year Plan covering the period from 2001-2002 to 2005-2006. It is undertaking development of many aspects of the economy, in agriculture, industry, energy, livestock breeding and fisheries to education and health - right down to the rural areas. In an address made at the opening ceremony of a training and refresher course of the Union Solidarity and Development Association, held at the Pyidaungsu Hall of the People’s Public Relations Unit of Hmawbi, Senior General Than Shwe stated, "In order to meet the demands for electrical power of the various sectors, we have made plans for an additional generation of 2000 megawatts of electricity. This together with the electrical power that is being generated now will bring the total amount of electricity generated to 3000 megawatts."
In accordance with the guidance given by the Head of State, the Ministry of Electrical Power, beginning from 2001-2002 up to the present period of the Third Short-Term Plan, has been implementing medium and large electrical power projects in order to produce a further 2000 megawatts. The ministry is working on 21 projects including hydroelectric plants, natural gas turbines, recycled waste heat turbines, diesel turbines, steam and coal burning turbines. Of the many hydroelectric power plants, the Thahpanseik Dam Hydroelectric Power Plant, near the village of die same name in Kyunhla Township, Shwebo District in Sagaing Division was put into commission on 18th June 2002. It has a generating capacity of 30 megawatts. This protect was undertaken at a cost of 1155 million kyats and 20 million dollars approximately. It took four years to complete construction. There are also other hydroelectric power projects underway such as the Paunglaung (capacity 250 megawatts), Monchaung (75 megawatts), Ye Ywa (780 megawatts), Kyunchaung (60 megawatts), Shweli (400 megawatts), and the Sittaung valley hydroelectric power projects such as the Shwe Kyin, Ye Nwe, Hpyu and Khabaung.
Then a coal burning electrical power plant is being constructed with a capacity of 120 megawatts near Pyinthar village in the Teekyit region of Pinlaung Township in Southern Shall State. It is expected to begin operating about September 2003. The target year of completion of all these numerous projects is 2006, by which time over 3000 megawatts will be generated which will more than meet the electrical power needs of the entire country. The State has indeed invested a large amount of capital to fulfill our needs for electrical power. So it is up to us to use this valuable electrical power supply systematically and economically and this will reap the greatest benefit for people and the State. The cost of these projects come from the public treasury but we also owe a debt of gratitude to the government, which despite limited resources has given priority to the needs of the people. The onus is therefore on us to prevent wasteful use of electrical power not only in government offices and private offices but also in our homes. And if we, the public, see any such wastage, it is up to us to take action to stop it. We should also follow to the letter, the rules and regulations regarding the use of electrical power issued by the authorities concerned. Each citizen should therefore cultivate the habit of economizing on electrical power usage with full awareness that this is the right attitude that will benefit all. We should avoid the selfish attitude which maintains, "so long as we can pay our electrical utility bills why shouldn’t we use electrical power whenever we want" without thought for the greater good. Having said that, there is one other point to take note of.
Some of us are apt to go to the other extreme and misinterpret "systematic and thrifty use" to mean not to use electricity at all. If people are prevented from using electric lights for example, when it is already dark then it would surely have adverse effect on our work. And worst of all it would create misunderstanding and resentment among the people. "Economise on the use of electrical power where possible; let there not be wanton waste" is the motto. In this way each of us will be doing our duty and making valuable contributions to the development of a developed and modernised state.Translator: K.K.H
Myanmar Times ( Oct.14-20) , 2002-Vol.7, No. 137 )
For further information, inqueries may kindly be made to the nearest Myanmar Embassies or Consulates (or ) email tomission.myanmar@ties.itu.int
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