Internal Developments
Development of Yongkha Model Village
Meeting of the delegates of Myanmar and Thailand on development project of Yongkha Model Village being carried out with the assistance of Thailand under the Myanmar-Thailand Drug Abuse Control Cooperation Programme was held at the village in Monghsat Township, Eastern Shan State on 29 March. A ten-member delegation led by Col San Pwint of the Ministry of Defence of Myanmar and a six-member delegation led by Lwaitone Project Manager Mr. Disnada Diskul attended the meeting. Wa national race leaders U Shauk Min Lian and U Kyauk Kaw En and local people welcomed them at the village. The delegates of the two countries discussed matters related to the completion of a primary school with the accommodation capacity of 500 students under construction in April and a 16-bed station hospital at the end of May and requirements for construction of a dam for irrigating about 1,000 acres of farm and irrigation systems.
After the meeting delegates from the two countries visited Wanhon region, where poppy substitute crops are thriving, in the township. Wa national race leaders and local people welcomed them and explained the success achieved by Wa nationals in cultivation of poppy substitute crops such as longan, honey-orange, coffee, tea, mango, sugar cane, pulses and beans, corn, paddy and other annual crops in Mongyon, Wanhon, Maikyant and Wanpon regions. The delegates enquired of the facts they wanted to know and viewed round Wanhon longan plantations, Maikyant honey-orange plantations and Lawhsanson coffee plantations.
Golden Bolts Fixed at Thanlwin River (Mawlamyine) Bridge
A ceremony to fix golden bolts at the Thanlwin Bridge (Mawlamyine) being constructed by the Ministry of Construction was held on the bank of Mottama on 30 March. On completion of the bridge, economic and social activities of local people on the Yangon-Mawlamyine-Ye-Dawei-Myeik-Kawthoung Road will improve.
A similar ceremony was held on the bank of Mawlamyine on 30 March. The main structure of Thanlwin Bridge (Mawlamyine) is 7,699 foot long. The approach roads on Mawlamyine and Mottama sides are 1,624 feet long and 2,252 feet long. The total length of the rail-cum bridges is 11.575 feet long. It has 28 feet wide motor road and 14 feet wide railroad and also has six feet wide walkway on either side.
Secretary-1 Inspects Regional Development, Human Resources Development and Greening Tasks in Kachin State, Mandalay Division
Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council General Khin Nyunt went to Mohnyin Township and Hopin in Kachin State, Mandalay in Mandalay Division and Taungtha in Myingyan District and Bagan-NyaungU and inspected regional development, human resources development and greening tasks of the arid zone on 4 and 5 April. The Secretary-1 and party inspected the sites chosen for Mohnyin region development and human resource development, toured Mohnyin and went to the 50-bed Hospital where they inspected operation theatres and wards and tasks for upgrading of the hospital to a 100-bed one. The Secretary-1 and party left Hopin by helicopter and arrived at Myitkyina in the evening. They proceeded to Myitkyina University. Speaking on the occasion, the Secretary-1 said that new universities and colleges are being opened speedily and thus faculty members have to carry out greater tasks. New universities and colleges are being established in cities and strategic regions of the states and divisions designed as special regions. The Secretary-1 and party left Myitkyina by air and arrived at Mandalay International Airport. Afterwards, they went to the Institute of Paramedical Sciences (Mandalay) Construction Project site.
The Secretary-1 and party helicoptered to Myingyan, Mandalay Division on 5 April morning. They inspected the sites chosen for buildings to be constructed by the government for development of Myingyan District as well as human resources development. They proceeded to Arid Zone Botanical Garden in Taungtha. Minister for Forestry reported on greening of the watershed areas in Myingyan District, Taungtha Hill, Arid Zone Botanical Garden and special functions and arrangements for building a modern hotel in Lawkananda Sanctuary. They arrived in Bagan-NyaungU in the evening. The Secretary-1 and party inspected the site chosen for construction of Nanmyint tower in Bagan ancient cultural region. At Bagan Archaeological Museum the Secretary-1 and party inspected the scale model of Zeyabon Golden Palace of King Anawrahta in Bagan Period displayed at the museum. The Secretary-1 gave instruction on construction of the palace on Bagan Aungmye Hill with it’s original style. At the meeting hall of the museum, Minister for Culture reported on arrangements for displaying the booths on life style in Bagan period at the museum with the evidences of wall paintings and works of handicraft in Bagan period. The Director-General of Archeological Department reported on collection of the wall paintings and personal goods in Bagan period and Secretary of Myanmar Traditional Artists and Artisans Asiayon on the paintings on the life style in Bagan period drawn by the association members. The Secretary-1 and party left Bagan-NyaungU arrived back Yangon in the evening.
The Inauguration Ceremony of Chindwin Bridge (Monywa)
Senior General Than Shwe and party attended the inauguration ceremony of Chindwin River (Monywa) Bridge held at the pavilion at Monywa (Bank) on 7 April. The bridge is situated on Monywa-Yagyi-Kalewa Road between Monywa and Yinmabin Townships in Sagaing Division.
The Tatmadaw engineering corps are making earnest efforts for completion of the strategic road, which with serve as the shortest road reaching Tamu on the border with India. The Public Work (PW) of Ministry of Construction built the 4,700-foot bridge within two years and three months. The quality steel frames installed at the bridge are manufactured by the State owned steel plants. Up to now, PW has built 154 new major bridges in the nation. The Ministry of Rail Transportation has also built five bridges and the Ministry of Defence, three. There are now 162 new major bridges in the nation. The bridge will serve as a facility helping to develop the economic and social sectors of Chin State and west bank regions in Sagaing Division, and promote the border trade.
The upper structure of Chindwin River Bridge (Monywa) is built of steel frame and the lower structure of reinforced concrete. The upper structure of the approach bridge is constructed of reinforced concrete beams and floor tiles and the lower structure of reinforced concrete piles. The Bridge has a 28-foot-wide motorway and six feet wide pedestrian ways on higher side. Water clearance is 305 feet wide and 40 feet high. The bridge can withstand 60-ton loads. The spans of the bridge are 343 feet long each and it was built of local each and it was built of local made quality iron frames. Construction tasks of the bridge started on 9 December 2000 and completed on 28 February 2003.
Monywa Airport to be Constructed
Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Senior General Than Shwe inspected construction of Monywa Airport Project in Monywa on 6 April. The Minister for Transport reported on the implementation of Monywa Airport construction project, types of planes that can take off and land after completion of the project and the airport terminal.
Chairman of the Shwe Thanlwin Highway Co Ltd reported on the construction of runway and apron, work programmes, progress of work, machinery and stockpile of construction materials.
Senior General said out of the airfields being constructed, Monywa Airport construction project is the one in which tasks can be carried out conveniently. He spoke of the need to construct the airfield as a model one as soon as possible. He said that in order to complete the project earlier than the schedule period, extra machinery and manpower should be provided if necessary.
Apart from travelling by car, by rail and by boat, local people can travel easily by air on completion of the airfield.
Foreign Relations
Senior General Than Shwe Receives ASEAN Secretary-General
Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council of the Union of Myanmar Senior General Than Shwe received ASEAN Secretary-General Mr. Ong Keng Yong at Zeya Thiri Beikman in Yangon on 31 March.
ASEAN SG Calls on Ministers and Visits MICT Park
The Minister for Culture received ASEAN Secretary-General Mr. Ong Keng Yong at his office on 31 March. Similarly the Minister for Education received ASEAN Secretary-General Mr. Ong Keng Yong at Diamond Jubilee hall in Yangon on the same day. They discussed matters on cooperation in education sectors with ASEAN member countries.
The Secretary General also visited the Myanmar Information and Communication Technology Park (MICT Park) in Yangon on 31 March. MICT DC Chairman and members of the board of directors welcomed them. At the meeting hall, officials concerned briefed the guests on facts about the MICT Park and Bagan Teleport and tasks being carried out. Then, the secretary-general viewed round the MICT Park and Bagan Cybertech IDC & Teleport.
Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs Arrives Back From Japan
Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs arrived back Yangon by air on 10 April after attending the 19th ASEAN-Japan Forum in Tokyo. The Myanmar delegation attended the 19th ASEAN-Japan Forum in Tokyo on 7 and 8 April. The Deputy Minister co-chaired the meeting with Japanese Deputy Foreign Ministers Mr. Ichiro Fujisaki and Mr. Hitoshi Tanaka. The meeting reviewed ASEAN-Japan economic relations, ASEAN-Japan Exchange Year 2003, human resource development, development cooperation and political and security issue including the holding of the ASEAN-Japan commemorative summit. While in Tokyo, the Deputy Minister called on Senior Vice Minister Mr. Tetsuro Yano and Deputy Foreign Minister Mr. Hitoshi Tanaka on 8 April and discussed bilateral matters and issues of mutual interest. The Deputy Minister also called on Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary at the Office of the Prime Minister of Japan Mr. Shinzo Abe on 8 April afternoon and on Former Prime Minister Mr. Yoshiro Mori on 9 April. During the call on the Former Prime Minister, Mr. Yohei Sasakawa of Nippon Foundation was also present. The Deputy Minister met with Member of Parliament of Japan Mr. Watanabe on 9 April morning.
Indonesia Foreign Minister Arrives
At the invitation of Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Union of Myanmar, Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr N Hassan Wirajuda of the Republic of Indonesia arrived Yangon by air on a working visit to the Union of Myanmar on 1st April. The visiting foreign minister and party called on the Minister for Foreign Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Yangon.
The visiting foreign minister and Minister for Finance and Revenue of Myanmar signed the agreement on avoidance of double taxation and the prevention of fiscal evasion with respect to taxes on income at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Malaysian Delegation Visits Yangon
Malaysian delegation led by Commandant of the National Defence College of Malaysia First Admiral Dato Mat Rabi bin Abu Samah, accompanied by officials of the Ministry of Defence and Military Attaché of Malaysia to Myanmar, visited Yangon on 4 April.
The delegation visited the National Defence College of Myanmar. They were welcome there by Commandant of the National Defence and officials. Then, officials of the Ministry of Defence, the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of National Planning and Economic Development explained salient points of respective ministries. The delegation also visited Defence Services Museum and Myanma Gems Museum.
Minister Arrives Back From LPDR
The Myanmar delegation led by Minister at the State Peace and Development Council Chairman’s Office Brig-Gen Abel arrived back in Yangon by air on 5 April after attending the Informal Meeting of ASEAN Economic Ministers held from 2 to 4 April in Laung Prabang, the Lao People’s Democratic Republic.
The Myanmar delegation arrived at Laung Prabang in the afternoon of 2 April. At the request of Indonesian Industry and Trade Minister Ms. Rini M S Soewandi, Minister Brig-Gen Abel met the Indonesian delegation and discussed matters related to promotion of bilateral trade in the evening.
The Myanmar delegation attended the Informal Meeting of ASEAN Economic Ministers. In the evening, the minister attended the Laos Industrial Exhibition opened at the Grand Laung Prabang Hotel, and attended the dinner hosted by Laotion Minister Soulivong Daravong.
On 4 April morning, Minister Brig-Gen Abel and the delegation members attended the coordination meeting of ASEAN Economic Ministers and Commissioner Mr. Paseal Lamy of the EU. The current economic cooperation between the ASEAN and the EU and future tasks were discussed there. The ministers agreed to implement the Trans-Regional EU-ASEAN Trade Initiative (TREATI) proposed by the EU. High-ranking officials were assigned duties to hold necessary coordination meetings to implement TREATI in 2004.
Economic Cooperation
Myanmar, Australia Sign Agreement on Agriculture Sector
The signing of the Ecologically Based Management of Rodents in Rainfed Cropping System in Myanmar between Myanmar and Australia took place at the hall of the Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation in Yangon on 31 March. The Australian Ambassador, Director General of the Agriculture Planning Department and Managing Director of the Myanma Agriculture Service signed the documents and exchanged them.
News in Brief
Tourists Arrive to Visit Myeik Archipelago
With the sponsorship of the Ministry of Hotels & Tourism and the Ministry of Transport, the ship M/Y Lady Christine with 12 crew arrived Yangon on 1st April. Tourists to board the ship arrived at Yangon International Airport by chartered flight GLF4 on 1st April and spent the night on board the ship. The tourists on 3rd April will go on one-day-tour of Bagan, and proceed to Myeik archipelago in Kawthoung District on 4th April by M/Y Lady Christine. They will leave there for Phukhet, Thailand on 14 April.
Specialists Tour Magway
In cooperation with Myanmar Medical Association (Magway), the Society of Rehabilitation Medicine of MMA conducted a field tour of Magway and treated 128 patients with physical disabilities, arthritis and pain syndromes at Magway General Hospital on 24 March. President of the society of rehabilitation medicine gave a lecture on "Low Back Pain" to general practitioners and doctors from Magway.
Lt-Gen Kyaw Win Receives Malaysian Guests
Member of the State Peace and Development Council of the Union of Myanmar Chief of Armed Forces Training Lt-Gen Kyaw Win received Commandant of National Defence College of Malaysia First Admiral Dato Mat Rabi bin Abu Samah and party at the Ministry of Defence in Yangon on 4 April.
245 Tourist Arrive by Charter Flight
A total of 245 tourists from Maxim Gorky Group of Germany arrived at the Yangon International Airport by Charter Flight Air Bus 330 of Thai Airways under the arrangement of Indochina Service Travel on 4 April.
Expo-2003 of Myanmar Women Entrepreneurs Association Opens
The opening ceremony of Expo-2003 jointly organized by Myanmar Women Entrepreneurs Association and Nayla Commercial Ltd was held at the building of the association in Yangon. Cosmetics, foodstuff and consumer products, kitchenware, room decoration materials, traditional medicines, clothes and fashion collection, instruments and materials for personal hygiene and sanitation, pearl studded paintings will be on sale at 54 shops of 40 local companies at the exposition. The Expo-2003 will be kept open from 9 am to 7 pm till 8 April along with entertainment programmes and actor competition fro TV commercials.
Opening of Training of Service Providers for Trafficking in Persons in Myeik
The Training of Service Providers for Trafficking in Persons, co-organized by Myanmar National Working Committee for Women’s Affairs and UN-IAP, was opened at Basic Education High School No 3 in Myeik, Taninthayi Division on 1 April. Altogether 70 trainees are attending the course.
All China Women's Federation Donates Office Stationery
All China Women's Federation of the PRC presented office stationery to the Myanmar National Committee for Women's Affairs on 8 April at the Social Welfare Department in Yangon. The member of MNCWA and Work Committee accepted the office equipment presented by Mr. Li Jinjun.
General News
Senior General Addresses Graduation Parade of 5th Intake of DSTA
The graduation parade of the 5th Intake of Defence Services Technological Academy (DSTA) was held at the parade grounds of DSTA in PyinOoLwin on 9 April with an address by Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Senior General Than Shwe. The following is excerpts of the address:
- Sacrificing life for the national cause is a pride of a soldier.
- As it is not easy for you to be endowed with firsthand experience by yourself, you will have to study others’ experience also, and should have the ability to combine it with yours.
- As for a leader, he must be stable and calm in making a correct and quick decision in a difficult situation.
- You will be able to lead the ordinary persons only if you make extraordinary efforts; and you will be taken as a model, only if you have the significant ability exceeding the qualified level.
- It is the qualification of the leader to expect not only present challenges but also future challenges and to overcome them.
- Those who make explorations and experiments repeatedly with perseverance will surely be on the right track of innovation.
- You have to make efforts to achieve the technology to explore new powers which are hidden in nature.
National Health Committee Holds 37th Meeting
The 37th Meeting of the National Health Committee was held at the Ministry of Health in Yangon on 1st April attended by the Chairman of the National Health Committee Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council General Khin Nyunt.
In his speech, the Secretary-1 said:- "—at present, a strange pneumonia disease called Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) is spreading in Asia and Southeast Asia.
Although there are no signs of the occurrence of the SARS in Myanmar, the countries facing the outbreak of the disease include neighbours which have a great degree of dealings with Myanmar in many areas. Thus, Myanmar is taking precautionary measures to control the disease. As it is a highly infectious disease, serious attention should be given to taking precautionary measures. And as it is also a deadly disease, efforts should be made to collect the data and facts about the pneumonia in time.
The countries that are facing the outbreak of the dreadful disease are taking precautionary measures. They have closed schools, kept the patients infected by the disease at separate places from the public, and conducted medical checks at the airports and ports. Myanmar will have to take precautionary measures not only at the international airports and ports, but also at the checkpoints in border areas. Knowledge about the disease including its symptoms and first aid methods to control the pneumonia should be imparted to the staff discharging duties at the places.
Thus, the SARS control programmes and public health education on disease will have to be carried out with might and main. The programmes are not to scare the public, but to help control the disease. Because of the participation of the entire people, the WHO has acknowledged Myanmar as a leprosy-free and polio-free nation. The WHO acknowledgement on Myanmar has further glorified her dignity and helped show the rising health standard of the nation. Similarly, efforts will have to be made to systematically control and eradicate the resurging diseases including TB and malaria. Myanmar is also launching the anti HIV/AIDS drive as a national task. And with or without any foreign assistance, the nation will accelerate its drive in the interest of the nation and the people. The public health care programmes covering infant mortality rate reduction, maternal and childcare, and prevention of malnutrition should be implemented with higher acceleration. Collective health care programmes should be extended in the border areas also. The traditional medicine practitioners’ courses are also achieving success. The modern, effective medicines can now be produced in Myanmar traditional medicine industry and continued encouragement should be given to the production—".
Deputy Minister for Health Dr. Mya Oo reported on outbreak of pneumonia, spread of the illness and preventative measures against the illness in Myanmar, and signs of the illness.
UWSA Troops Arrest Drug Traffickers
On the 30 March morning at about 7 am, a group of Wa troops acting on a tip-off raided Kya Nu village in Mong Tong Township in Northern Shan State. During the operation some armed villagers responded by small arms fire and fled the scene leaving behind 192.2 kilos of opium, 7 assorted weapons, 11 land mines, 2 hand grenades and 12 mules.
Again on the same day at about 8.30 am, another group of Wa soldiers while on patrol duty discovered a hidden heroin refinery a few miles away from Kya Nu village in the same township. The Wa patrol arrested one villager from Mong Kyawt village together with 13.5 kilos of heroin, 67.7 kilos of morphine, 15.8 kilos of opium, 32.8 kilos of opium residue, chemicals of sorts totaling 940 litres and assorted parapher-nalia, it is learnt.
Secretary-1 Meets MNCWA and MNWCWA Members
Patron of the Myanmar National Committee for Women’s Affairs Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council General Khin Nyunt met with members of Myanmar National Committee for Women Affairs (MNCWA) and the Myanmar National Working Committee for Women’s Affairs in Yangon on 3 April.
In his address the Secretary-1 said, "—The State has acknowledged the accomplish-ments of the MNWCWA. Its members are required to continue their field tours to remote border areas and villages, and the respective departments should render effective assistance to them. The project to develop the young women of the border areas must also cover extension of school education, vocational education and health care programmes in addition to cultural, patriotism and law enforcement programmes—".
Then, the participants took part in the meetings. The MNCWA meeting was held two times — first on 23 July 2002 and another on 18 February 2003, while the Myanmar National Working Committee for Women’s Affairs held four meetings. In a bid to make the significant activities of the MNCWA known widely, the ‘Exhibition on Myanmar Women’s Endeavour’ was successfully organized at the Tatmadaw Convention Centre in Yangon from 15 to 24 October 2002.
In accord with the directive to form a Working Committee for Prevention of Trafficking in Persons apart from the MNWCWA under the MNCWA, the WCPTP headed by the Deputy Minister for Home Affairs was formed. The Working Committee for Prevention of Trafficking in Persons (WCPTP) is cooperating with the MNWCWA harmoniously in the attempt to prevent human trafficking.
Arrangements for the holding of the Third Myanmar Women’s Conference have been made as a move that will mirror the endeavours of the MNCWA in 2003. Preparatory measures have been taken for the National Seminar on Trafficking in Women and Children to be held in May 2003. Moreover, arrangements have been made to organize the seminar under the leadership of the MNCWA and the WCPTP in cooperation with UNICEF, UN-IAP and SE(UK).
Of the foreign resources, plans are under way for the resource persons from USA to participate under their own arrangements. It is included in the Article 10(G) and the Article 13 (C) embedded in CEDAW that opportunities must be granted to women to actively participate in sports and physical education. Myanmar women are achieving success in the sports sector. The international Olympic Committee awarded " Women and Sports Trophy 2002" to Myanmar for her cooperation with the working committee for women’s affairs in the women’s sports sector as well as in all round development activities for women. Thus, the MNWCWA in cooperation with the Ministry of Sports has made arrangements for holding the National Seminar on Women and Sports.
The issues of trafficking are being solved in the international community. In Myanmar, under the leadership of MNCWA, the Work Committee for Prevention Against Human Trafficking (WCPAHT) in cooperation with MNWCWA is making preventive measures for human trafficking. Before the WCPAHT was formed, the Ministry of Home Affairs drafted and implemented the project to take actions against those who illegally work in foreign countries.
According to the decisions of the meetings, the work groups were formed at State/Division, District, Township, ward/village levels.
The WCPAHT chairman received the Tokyo-based ICRC delegation at the hall of Kengtung General Administration department on 2-8-2002 and explained activities on prevention against human trafficking. the WCPAHT members led by the chairman and the secretary met 4,585 people at Kengtung, Monghpat and Tachileik in Shan State (East) and Taunggyi and Heho in Shan State (South); 1,300 people at Homein Region on the eastern bank of Thanlwin river, Langkho, Monai, Namhsan and Eunhein and Taunggyi townships in Shan State (South); 685 people at the Kayin State peace and Development Council Office in Hpa-an and Bayme monastery in Kawkyaik Village in Hpa-an and Bayme monastery in Kawkyaik Village in Hpa-an Township; 250 people at the monastery in Panton Village, Namlan Village-tract in Mongphat Township together with the ICRC resident representative in Myanmar and party; and 735 people at Thandwe and Taungup townships in Rakhine State. The WCPAHT explained to them matters relating to prevention against human trafficking, the nature of human traffickers, exposing the human traffickers, troubles to be encountered in working in foreign countries illegally, the State’s endeavours in building dams for the people to carry out traditional business undertakings of agriculture and livestock breeding works, and the five rural development tasks.
Moreover, pamphlets in Mon, Kayin and Shan languages are distributed to the national races residing in Mon State, Kayin State, Shan State, Kachin State and Taninthayi Division. Articles on human trafficking problems are distributed in Myanmar, Kayin and Shan languages in the above-mentioned states and divisions.
Educative talks on the human trafficking were held by the MNWCWA at the grass-root levels in Shan State (East), Shan State (North), Mon State, Kayin State and Taninthayi Ddivision. In addition, MNWCWA in cooperation with the UN-IAP conducted short-term courses for staff and members of social organizations on prevention against human trafficking in Mon State, Kayin State, Shan State (East), Magway Division, Bago Division and Yangon Division. Although the work committee was formed only eight months ago, it could expose altogether 252 human traffickers in 137 cases thanks to the educative talks, active participation of related associations and active endeavours of the WCPAHT at different levels. Effective punishments were handed down on the human traffickers: Australia has offered an MoU on cooperation for preventing human trafficking and efforts will be made to carry on that matter. The regional WCWAs and WCPAHT at different levels will also continue cooperation.
Vice-Senior General Visits Myanma Industrial Exhibition 2003 in Mandalay
Vice-Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Vice-Senior General Maung Aye and party visited Myanma Industrial Exhibition 2003 in Mandalay on 3 April.
At the Central Pavilion, they heard a report on the 323 booths of the ministries, industrial zones and entrepreneurs at the exhibition, 68 shops and 36 restaurant, presenting of 74 prizes including production prize, booth prize and fun fair prize to winner, research paper reading sessions and seminars on industrial development and plans to publish a book on the exhibition presented by Chairman of the Leading Committee Minister for Industry-1.
Chairman of the Working committee Deputy Minister for Industry-1 also reported to them on the opening of the exhibition since 19 March, the number of visitors, sale of goods, financial matters, and extension of the exhibition period. Vice-Senior General Maung Aye looked into their requirements, saying that the national level exhibition should be held every three years; arrangements should be made to hold another exhibition in Yangon by the year 2006. Advantages and disadvantage should be assessed to display a larger variety of goods next time to raise the exhibition’s standard. The industrial sector will gain more progress in the coming three years. Thus, the qualitative improvement of the goods should be highlighted at the next exhibition.
Talks on SME 2003 to Be Held
Under the supervision of the Union of Myanmar Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry (UMFCCI), Myanmar is making arrangements to participate in the 4th Asia-Pacific Regional Conference on Globalization and SME Development; the 2nd International Exhibition on corporate, Seasonal Gifts Idea (Malaysia Premium 2003); and the 5th Malaysia International Food and Beverage Trade Fair (MIFB 2003) in the SME 2003, an international trade fair, to be held from 12 to 14 June in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Departmental personnel, officials of the TIF (Yangon) Co. Ltd and the Expomal Network Sdn Bhd will give talks on salient points of the exhibitions at the Grand Plaza Park Royal Hotel in Yangon on 9 April.
Arrangements to Be Made for Job Opportunities and Employment for Graduates Myanmar Education Committee Meets
Myanmar Education Committee held its meeting No. 1/2003 at the Universities Central Council in Higher Education Department (Lower Myanmar) on 7 April, with an address by Chairman of Myanmar Education Committee Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council General Khin Nyunt.
The Secretary-1 pointed out the fact that education sector in Myanmar, the 30-year long-term national education promotion project based on the guidance of Head of State is being implemented. The 30-year long-term national education promotion project includes short-term five-year education projects. The first short-term (five-year education project — from 2001-2002 financial year to 2005-2006 financial year) is being implemented which includes ten tasks in basic education sector of the 30-year long-term national education promotion project. They are
- establishment of education system that contributes toward development,
- completion of basic education level for every citizen,
- uplift of quality of basic education,
- getting opportunities to learn pre-vocational and vocational education at basic
education level.
- development of modern communication technology, technical know-how and
learning opportunities aimed at e-Education.
- nurturing the all-round developed citizens,
- uplift of efficiency in educational management,
- acceleration of basic education development activities in cooperation with the
people.
- development of non-formal education activities and
- development of education research.
Altogether 31 projects were laid down for implementation of the above-mentioned ten tasks. Education development programmes were formulate in special region development project and the five rural development project in order to achieve equal development in the education sector in all parts of the Union including border areas and nurture region wise human resources in education sector. Arrangements are being made for opening of a university or a degree college and government computer college and government technical college in every special development region.
Recently, Panglong University, Panglong Government Technical College and Panglong Government Computer College were opened. There have been greater opportunities to pursue higher education for students from 11 townships in Loilem district. Two Universities of Culture were opened for upper and lower Myanmar. Myanmar Aerospace Engineering University and Myanmar Maritime University were established and employment arrangements have been made for graduates of those universities. Nowadays, there are over 770,000 students pursuing education in higher education sector and over 7.5 million students in basic education sector.
In basic education sector, altogether 218,572 teachers give lectures to 7.56 million students at 40,007 schools — 32,746 primary schools, 2410 post-primary schools, 3,103 middle schools and 1,748 high schools. The schooling programme for school-going age children has been implemented since 1999-2000 academic year. In 2002-2003 academic year, 93.07 percent of children above five years attended the kindergarten classes and 7.55 million students are in pursuit of education at basic education schools. There was an increase of 5.08 percent in basic education sector compared to the previous year. Tasks for educating the aged and speeding up the reading rate have been carried out and out of 2 million illiterate people in 2001, 90,027 became literates in 2002. Compared to the whole population of the country, 91.8 per cent of the population became literates. In 2002-2003, seven universities—Kyaukse University, Yangon West University, Bhamo Degree College, Panglong University, Maubin University, Myanmar Maritime University, Myanmar Aerospace Engineering University— have been opened in a year. In the higher education sector, the fish research laboratory of the Zoological Department of Yangon University was upgraded and arrangements have been made for opening of New Century Biotech Centre as the research and education department.
Seminars and meetings have been held since 1998 and the national education promotion special programme (basic education sector) will be held in May 2003. To create academic atmosphere and knowledge environment of at higher education institutions which are included in the procedures for the 30-year long-term national education promotion programme, the Ministry of Education, under the procedure to form higher education institutions that can make contacts with international education community, using the Dined English Course-ware and modern techniques, training courses, multiplier training courses, summer courses and regular courses have been conducted in a year starting 2002 at universities, degree colleges, colleges and basic education high schools. After a period of one year, altogether 49,736 teachers have been trained.
Mercantile Marine Cadet Training Course No. CD/30 Concludes
The conclusion of Mercantile Marine Cadet Training Course No. CD/30 and the opening of Mercantile Marine Cadet Training Course No. CD/31 were held at the Institute of Marine Technology (IMT), Yangon on 12 April, attended by Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council General Khin Nyunt.
The Minister for Transport said in his graduating speech; "300 cadets--150 each from Mercantile Marine Cadet Training Course and Mercantile Engineering Cadet Training Course--would graduate from IMT and 300 cadets would attend those two courses. Altogether 2,060 cadets--1,087 maritime cadets and 973 engineering cadets--have been produced up to 2003 academic year for human resource development. IMT has been producing deck officers, maritime engineers and seafarers working on ships travelling on international waters with the use of modern teaching aids in accord with the curriculum prescribed in the 1995 Amendment Convention of International Maritime Organization (IMO)."
After the ceremony, the Secretary-1 met the graduating cadets of Course No. CD/30 and the cadets of Course No. CD/31. The Secretary-1 said; "IMT is producing mercantile officers yearly at a time when the government needs human resources capable of promoting the interest of the nation and its people effectively. Now there are over 54,000 seafarers registered in Myanmar. Among them, over 15,000 are working in turn on foreign vessels each year."
"The IMT has been provided with modern and splendid buildings, sophisticated teaching aids and state-of-the -art training facilities. At the same time, the Government also provided necessary assistance for the institute to produce mercantile marine officers and mercantile marine engineers. With the assistance of the Govermemt altogether over 40 training courses are being conducted at the institute. As the curricula in line with rules and regulations and conventions of the IMO are being taught at the institute, those training courses are acknowledged by the IMO.
With a view to producing more and more highly qualified human resources such as mercantile marine technicians, marine engineers and architects for building ships, the Government has established the Myanmar Maritime University. As a result, the sound foundation for mercantile marine is progressing in Myanmar day by day."
Culture
"Here Comes Thingyan"
by T.Htut, New Light of Myanmar, 12 April, 2003
Myanmar Traditional Thingyan Festival begins on 13 April(Akyo- day). Every year, the Myanmar New Year falls on mid-April and the four days before the New Year are the days of boisterous merry-making. April is in mid summer in Myanmar and the scorching sun beats down mercilessly. The heat shimmers off the ground. Even the breeze blows hot on the skin. The Thingyan Festival features water, water, water, everywhere. Traditionally, people douse or splash water on one another as a gesture wishing coolness, healthiness and prosperity in the New Year.
It is customary for the youngsters to throw water to passers-by in the streets. In Thingyan the summer heat is at its peak, and the revelers find it all the more enjoyable. Doused or drenched, they go from pandal to pandal having all the fun they can enjoy. Thingyan reflects not only fun and frolic. Among the all fun-makings and pleasure-seekings, some gain merit through manicuring, shampooing and bathing of the aged. Some gain merits by freeing fish into ponds and lakes and releasing cattle at sanctuaries or monasteries. While the young revelers enjoy themselves, the elderly people retire to monasteries to keep Sabbath and indulge in meritorious deeds. Mostly at Thingyan time, the novitiation and ordination ceremonies are everywhere. Some are with much pomp and splendor. The prospective young monks and novices are dressed in princely attires and paraded around town in cars. In rural scene, they are paraded around on horses or elephants.
The festive flower for Thingyan is padauk (Pterocarpus macrocarpus). The mild fragrance of Padauk and revelry are characteristic of Thingyan.Thingyan is also famous for its cuisine and foods which are served free of charge. Thingyan rice, Moatlon Yaypaw and Shweyinaye can be seen everywhere in Thingyan days. Thingyan rice, a festive dish is a simple one, prepared without much fuss in the house. Of course, during Thingyan all the attention is on the reverlry and there is no reason to spend too much time in the kitchen. It is a simple mixture of cooked rice, water infused with the ordour of burnt wax, and pounded dried fish. Thingyan food, Shweyinaye includes cooked glutinous rice, bread, agar-jelly, and sweetened coconut milk with pieces of ice. It is quite a savoury snack. Moatlon Yaypaw or floating dough-ball is made of cooked glutinous rice and jaggery.It is noted that among the twelve traditional seasonable festivals of Myanmar, Thingyan is the merriest one.
Tourism
American writer fills an information gap for Naga new year festival
By Myo Theingi
Cho
AN AMERICAN woman who developed an interest in Naga culture while attending the tribal group’s annual festival in northern Sagaing Division last year has written a guide to the colourful two-day event. Mrs Brenda Davidson-Shaddox, who has visited Myanmar every year since 1998, said she was fascinated by the Nagas and hoped that the guide would help to overcome a shortage of information about the tribe and the festival. "There was no information available about the festival when I joined it last year," Mrs Davidson-Shaddox, from San Antonio, Texas, told Myanmar Times last week. "The only book I could find was about Nagas in India," she said.
The 48-page, paperback guide, Naga Festival, which features many photographs taken by the author, was published last month by the Ministry of Hotels and Tourism in collaboration with the SST tourism company. "I have photographed a lot of the other tribes in Myanmar, but the Naga are just fascinating to me," Mrs Davidson-Shaddox said, adding that she hoped the guide would help to make the festival more widely known. The festival, held in the mountain town of Lahe, takes place this year on January 14 and 15. It celebrates the traditional new year of the Naga people and is attended by members of the group from throughout northwestern Myanmar and neighbouring India. As well as describing the celebrations and other cultural information, the guide also includes practical information about travel and accommodation arrangements for the festival. Mrs Davidson-Shaddox, a writer-photographer whose work has been published in newspapers and magazines throughout the world, said it took two weeks to complete the guide. In a forward to the publication, she writes of the Nagas that she has been "privileged to be accepted into their homes, have shared their food and drink, and learned that their culture is unique to the world."
She describes the Nagas as a "brave and independent people who still practice their traditional way of life, while seeking knowledge and understanding of more modern ways." Mrs Davidson-Shaddox expressed support for a Naga tribal museum being developed at Khamti, about 60 kilometres southwest of Lahe, saying it was important to preserve the group’s culture and traditions. "No one can begrudge any people from seeking a better life through education, technology, travel and exposure to other cultures," she writes in the forward. "But the loss of the Naga history would be a great loss to the world. While the Nagas progress, we urge the preservation of artefacts, textiles and other items of the Naga people and encourage the recording of Naga traditions for future generations."
NEARLY 170 foreigners and 77 Myanmar travellers have booked to attend a two-day Naga Festival in far northern Sagaing Division this week. Last year, 98 foreign travellers attended the cultural festival, held at Lahe, about 480 kilometres northeast of Sagaing. The journey to Lahe involves a seven-hour road trip from Hkamti, which can be reached by air, road or boat on the Chindwin River. The package for the festival and the trip between Hkamti and Lahe has been organised by the Phoenix travel company, which organised the same program last year. The accommodation arranged for visitors to Lahe during the festival on January 14 and 15 includes eight traditional Naga bamboo houses, said U Thein Soe, the general manager of the Phoenix travel company. Other facilities provided for visitors were eight bathrooms, 12 toilets and two satellite telephones, U Thein Soe said. He said Phoenix had handled bookings from more than 20 travel agencies for the festival.
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