Industry-2 Ministry opens Course No. 1/2008

NAY PYI TAW, 27 Nov — Conducted by the Ministry of Industry-2, 3D Modeling for Pro
Engineer Course No. 1/ 2008 was opened at the ministry here on 25 November.
Deputy Minister for Industry-2 Maj-Gen Kyaw Swa Khaing,departmental heads,officers and trainees attended the openingceremony. First, the deputy minister made an opening speech and visited the course. A total of 20 trainees under the ministry are attending the one-month course.
Ministry of Industry-2 has opened basic computer course and Auto CAD course for service personnel.

Myanmar, Thai specialists provide ear care services

NAY PYI TAW, 27 Nov—Minister for Health Dr Kyaw Myint, together with Deputy Minister Dr
Mya Oo, viewed the joint treatment of Myanmar and Thai surgeons at Department of Eye, Ear,
Nose, Throat, Plastic, Maxillo-facial and Oral Surgery of Nay Pyi Taw People’s General Hospital
(1000-bed) on 25 November.
At the hall, the minister and party met with leader of Ear Surgery Mobile Unit of Thailand Prof Soontom Antarasena and held a discussion with Thai Ambassador Mr Bansarn Bunnag on

Myanmar and Thai health matters.
An eight-member ear surgery team led by Prof Dr Thein Tun and the 18- member Thai ear surgery team led by Prof Soontom Antarasena are providing ear care services at Nay Pyi Taw People’s General Hospital and Nay Pyi Taw Pyinmana People’sHospital.
The Thai ear treatment team had jointly performed treatment with Myanmar surgeons for nine times. The team will give treatments in Toungoo and Maubin townships.
The Myanmar-Thai ear care team provided treatments to 545 patients at Nay Pyi Taw People’s
General Hospital and 848 patients at Nay Pyi Taw Pyinmana People’s Hospital.

Yangon Division Industrial Zones Management Committee eyes industrial development

YANGON, 27 Nov—The coordination meeting of Yangon Division Industrial Zones Management Committee was held at the meeting hall of Yangon Command Headquarters on Konmyinttha here at 1 p.m. today, with an address by Lt-Gen Myint Swe of the Ministry of Defence.
Chairman of Yangon Division Peace and Development Council Commander of Yangon Command Brig-Gen Win Myint submitted reports on making endeavours for more development of industrial sector in Yangon Division and assistance provided. Chairmen of Yangon Division Industrial Zones Management Committees, responsible persons and
entrepreneurs reported on carrying out of sector-wise tasks and requirements. Later, Lt-Gen Myint Swe, the commander and officials concerned fulfilled the requirements.
Departmental officials presented the reports on their respective sectors. Afterwards, Lt-Gen Myint Swe delivered a concluding speech.

Defence Services Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy Tatmadaw (Army, Navy and Air) Football Tournament opened

YANGON, 25 Nov—The 47th Defence Services Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy Tatmadaw (Army,Navy and Air) Football Tournament was opened at the Youth Training Centre
(Thuwunna) here at 3p.m. yesterday with an address by Adjutant-General Lt-Gen Thura Myint Aung of the Ministry of Defence, on behalf of the Commander- in-Chief.
Also present on the occasion were Commander of Yangon Command Brig-Gen Win Myint, senior military officers, defence attaches from foreign missions,
officials from the Ministry of Sports, guests, Tatmadawmen and their families, social organizations and enthusiasts.
After making a speech, Adjutant-General Lt-Gen Thura Myint Aung took the salute of the football teams. At the opener, the South-West Command beat the Yangon Command 3-2.
The first round-robin matches will be held from 28 November to 11 December at the respective
zones which include South-East Command zone (Mawlamyine) for Group-A, South-West
Command zone (Pathein) for Group-B, North-West Command zone (Monywa) for Group-C, Central Command zone (Mandalay) for Group-D and Southern Command zone (Toungoo) for Group-E.

Industry-2 Minister inspects projects of Thagara Industrial Region

NAY PYI TAW, 25 Nov—Minister for Industry-2 Vice-Admiral Soe Thein inspected progress of construction of lecture halls, main building, auditorium and roads for Technical Training School (Thagara) at Thagara Industrial Region in Yedashe Township, Bago Division this morning.

Next, the minister looked into progress of construction of Hydropower Turbine and Generator factory and installation of machines at iron foundry of Diesel Engine factory. He also greeted Chinese technicians.
At Bulldozer and Excavator factory in the region, the minister met with staff and explained the role of employees of the ministry for industrial development of the State.
Next, the minister presented three TV sets each for the staff of Bulldozer and Excavator factory and Diesel Engine factory.

9th Myanmar Traditional Medicine
Practitioners’ Conference
2-3 December 2008
Nay Pyi Taw
---------

Traditional medicine, principal
contributor to public health
Myanmar Traditional Medicine
Practitioners’ Conference, a genuine
Myanmar legacy left by ancestors

Myanmar delegation attends Industrial Development Conference of LDCs

NAY PYI TAW, 23 Nov—A Myanmar delegation led by Minister for Industry-1 U Aung Thaung arrived in Siem Reap of Cambodia on 18 November to attend Industrial Development Conference of Least Developed Countries, jointly organized by United Nations Industrial Development Organization and World Trade Organization. The minister attended an informal
meeting together with Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry of Cambodia Mr Cham Prasidh and members at Sokha Angkor Hotel.
The following day Industrial Development Conference of Least Developed Countries was held at Sokha Angkor Hotel and Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Hun Sen made an opening speech on the occasion.

Present on the occasion were the Directors-General of UNIDO and WTO, regional heads, officials of Asian Development Bank and African Development Bank, ministers, delegates and agencies from 43 out of 49 countries.
The Cambodian Prime Minister had a documentary photo taken together with those present
and held meetings with them. Next, the report from the workshop held in Gali of Rwanda was submitted and it was discussed and donor countries also discussed guaranteed funds.

Minister U Aung Thaung took part in the discussions, saying that trade assistance to Myanmar
was limited resulting from economic sanctions, and in consequence, there was a decline in currency flow and trade volume. However, global economic crisis does not have much impact on Myanmar, unlike many other developed and developing countries. The country is making political and economic reforms through the State’s seven-step Road Map. So, the country will soon enjoy disciplined development in next few years.
As such, it is required to try and look on the bright side in the Myanmar’s issue. Trade opportunities and assistance provided by every country, developed and developing, will make significant contribution towards duty free, quota free system. Like some other countries, Myanmar’s fundamental objective is to achieve agro-based economic growth, he said.

Myanmar delegation attended the dinner hosted by the Cambodian Government and the
conference continued on 20 November. Ministers and leaders of delegations held meetings in groups.
They discussed an epidemic of America-centered economy spreading across the world to be cured in a certain period. They are to overcome that certain period.
The declaration of Siem Reap was approved and UNIDO and WTO held a press conference. On 21 November, the Myanmar delegation toured Angkorwat Temple and arrived back here by air in the evening.

Prime Minister General Thein Sein receives Vietnamese Ambassador

NAY PYI TAW, 24 Nov —Prime Minister of the Union of Myanmar General Thein Sein received Dean of the Diplomatic Corps in the Union of Myanmar Ambassador of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam Mr Tran Van Tung who has completed his tour of duty at the Government Office here at 3.30 p.m. today.
Also present at the call were Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs U Maung Myint,Director-General of the Government Office Col Thant Shin and Director-General U Kyaw Kyaw of the Protocol Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Border region equipped with modern communication facilities

With utmost efforts,the government has been implementing 24-region development plan for narrowing the gap between urban and rural areas and for ensuring equitable development of all regions of the country,and remarkable progress can be witnessed in all aspects.In this regard, the communications sector is a case in point. The requirements are fulfilled in the communications sector throughout the nation. The local people in Bhamo region have enjoyed fruits of developing communication facilities.

Grow crops extensively for better socio-economic life

Total sown acreage of monsoon and summer paddy is over 20 million acres in Myanmar. The agricultural sector serves as the dominant contributor to the economic growth of the nation. So, effective measures are being taken constantly for boosting production of crops especially paddy.So far, the government has constructed 216 dams and 322 river water pumping stations across the nation for adequate supply of irrigation water, the major requirement of the agricultural farming. Simultaneously,it is encouraging farmers to choose highyielding paddy strains, apply advanced agricultural methods, and use farm machinery, thereby making a boom in the agricultural sector.The Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation is implementing dam projects,sluice gate projects and underground water pumping station projects throughout the country, particularly in arid regions: Sagaing,Magway and Mandalay divisions.
Plans are under way to launch Daungmyu Dam Project, Kandaunt Dam Project, North Yamar irrigation system, Kyaukchat Dam Project and Yaybokkyi Dam Project in central Myanmar.In addition, more sluice gates are due to be built in Mon State and Bago Division to protect the regions from being flooded in the rainy season and irrigate farmlands in summer. Similarly, small dams and lakes are under maintenance in Mandalay Division to increase the acreage of irrigated arable lands.At a time when the government is working hard to construct more irrigation facilities, it is obligatory for farmers to grow crops on a wider scale through mixed- and multiplecropping patterns for food sufficiency of the regions concerned and improving their living conditions.

Prime Minister General Thein Sein receives Member of Political Bureau of CPC

Prime Minister of the Union of Myanmar General Thein Sein received a delegation led by Mr Zhang Gaoli,Member of Central Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China and Secretary of the CPC Tianjin Municipal Committee at the Government Office, here, today.Also present were Member of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Tin Aye, Minister for Industry-2 Vice-Admiral Soe Thein, Minister for National Planning and Economic Development U Soe Tha, Minister for Foreign Affairs U Nyan Win, Minister for Progress of Border Areas and National Races and Development Affairs Mayor of Nay Pyi Taw Col Thein Nyunt, Director-General of the Office of the SPDC Col Kyaw Kyaw Win,Director-General of the Government Office Col Thant Shin and Director-General of Protocol Department of Ministry of Foreign Affairs U Kyaw Kyaw. Member of Political Bureau of CPC Mr Zhang Gaoli was accompanied by Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China Mr Guan Mu.

Kamanat-Myaungdagar grid put into commission

The State Peace and development Council is making sustained efforts to extend production of electric power in order to catch up with the industrial advancements.It was not complacent about Lawpita Hydropower Station on the Balu Creek, and planned to implement many other hydropower projects. Of the hydropower projects approved by the Special Projects Implementation Committee, six have been completed, 22 are ongoing, and 15 need the green light of the committee.In Myanmar, generation of hydropower has surged from over 200 to about 900 megawatts.The majority of the ongoing special hydropower projects are due to be completed in a few years.

More pylons to supply extra power

Minister for Electric Power No. 2 Maj-Gen Khin Maung Myint inspected driving bore pile for construction of No. 248 pylon of the power grid with the use of pilling machine at mile post No.60 of Bago-Thongwa-Yangon Road near Thahtaykwin Sanpya Village in Thongwa Township yesterday.He inspected pylons Nos 247 and 249 and gave instructions on worksite safety.The minister went to Thanlyin main sub-power station and inspected construction of switch yard.Project Manager Superintending Engineer U Saw Win Maung reported on construction of 272 pylons of Kamanat-Thanlyin power grid and 36 pylons of Thanlyin-Thakayta bundle double circuit transmission line and 230 KV and 33 KV Switch Bay at Kamanat (Bago) and Phayagon (Thanlyin) main sub-power stations.He stressed the importance of meeting the standards in constructing grids and switch bays, and inspected Thanlyin sub-Power Station, extension of switch yard, linking power lines and output feeders and distribution of power.

Minister fulfils needs for development of Ayethaya Industrial Zone

Ayethaya Industrial Zone In-charge Minister for Energy Brig-Gen Lun Thi,accompanied by Deputy Commander of Eastern Command Col Chit Oo, met with executive directors of the foundry at Ayethaya Industrial Zone in Taunggyi on 15 November.Speaking on the occasion, the minister said the State has invested foreign currency on the foundry with the aim of developing the industrial sector. Local industrialists have also shares in the foundry. Therefore,accounts of the foundry should be kept in accordance with the financial rules and regulations and the accounts should be presented to the chairman of the supervisory committee for the industrial zone, he said.He also urged responsible personnel to make efforts for development of the industrial zone.After hearing reports of directors of the foundry and officials concerned, the minister attended to the needs of the industrial zone.During the tour of the industrial zone, Minister Brig-Gen Lun Thi also visited Aung Myin Shan Star Auto production workshop and Taunggyi Jeep production workshop and gave instructions to responsible persons.He also visited Theinmin Fertilizer Factory and Sunflower Fertilizer Factory, and the antimony smelting factory of Genius Group Company and urged responsible personnel of the factory to produce the metal meeting the set standard.

USDA Secretariat member attends dinner in honour of artistes and technicians

The Union Solidarity and Development Association held dinner in honour of artistes and technicians who had helped a hand in the video feature named “Tomorrow of Ayeyawady”,which hailed USDA’s Annual General Meeting for 2008 at Karaweik Palace in Kandawgyi Gardens yesterday.Secretariat Member Minister for Information Brig-Gen Kyaw Hsan attended the dinner and made a speech on the occasion, saying that artistes stimulated national spirit of the public through the might of art in the preindependence period,while doing their bit. They are engaging in the interest of the State and the people in the time of preserving the independence and building the nation.Upholding national interests, the artistes will be discharging duties of the State and art in the time of paving the way to democracy. The video feature is the one honoring nation-building endeavours of the USDA. In addition to that, it represents the prestige of the entire people. The artistes are to carry out duties of the art upholding national interests of the State all the time.Next, certificates of honour and cash awards were presented to artistes and technicians. And Minister Brig-Gen Kyaw Hsan handed certificates of honour and cash awards to director academy Zin Yaw Maung Maung, script writer academy Nyein Min, academy Nay Aung,academy Kyaw Ye Aung,Academy Soe Myat Thuzar, Academy Eindra Kyaw Zin and adviser director Hein Soe.Afterwards, Minister for Hotels and Tourism Maj-Gen Soe Naing donated K 64 million fetched from six video features to build the school in Amar town of Pyapon District of Ayeyawady Division.Next, Minister Maj-Gen Soe Naing and Minister for Electric Power No. 2 Maj-Gen Khin Maung Myint presented certificates of honour and cash awards to artistes and the producer.Afterwards, director academy Zin Yaw Maung Maung spoke words of thanks and the USDA hosted dinner to those present. And Minister Brig-Gen Kyaw Hsan handed cash awards to the leader of the orchestra of Karaweik Palace and then cordially greeted those present.Also present on the occasion were Vice-Mayor Col Maung Pa, heads of department of the Ministry of Information and officials, officials of Myanmar Motion Picture Asiayon, Myanmar Music Asiayon and Myanmar Writers and Journalists Association, artistes and technicians and guests.

Strive for running factories and mills at full capacity

In order to strengthen national economy the government hand in hand with the people is making all-out efforts making better use of natural resources.Today, industrial zones are being established the length and breadth of the nation for development of both the Stateowned industries and private industries.And steps are being taken for boosting the productivity of the State-owned industries while building more new import-substitute factories and workshops.The Ministry of Industry-1 is building paper and pulp factories to satisfy the local demand for paper. The emergence of the factories helps reduce the import of paper and acquire more advanced techniques.The 50-ton Paper Mill (Thabaung) of Myanmar Paper and Chemical Industries under the Ministry of Industry-1 in Thabaung Township, Ayeyawady Division,was opened on 16 November. The paper mill is now producing different kinds of quality paper.Nowadays, paper factories were built in different regions along with the 200-ton paper and pulp factory and the 50-ton paper mill in Thabaung Township. Those factories and mills are producing paper and pulp to meet the local demand for paper.As a large number of factories and mills have emerged throughout the nation,continued efforts are to be made to run the factories and mills at full capacity, to ensure better operating ratio, to produce more new items, to reduce production cost and to ensure sufficient supply of raw materials.The emergence of more factories and mills will contribute much to creating job opportunities for local people and regional
development.

Prime Minister General Thein Sein to attend second Summit on BIMSTEC

Nay Pyi Taw, 10 Nov - Prime Minister of the Union of Myanmar General Thein Sein will leave for New Delhi, the Republic of India , to attend the Second Summit on the Bay of the Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Coorperation (BIMSTEC) , which will be held on 13 November 2008.

Obama to use executive orders for immediate impact

WASHINGTON, 10 Nov —President-elect Obama plans to use his executive powers to make an immediate impact when he takes office, perhaps reversing Bush administration policies on stem cell research and domestic drilling for oil and natural gas. John Podesta, Obama’s transition chief, said Sunday Obama is reviewing President Bush’s executive orders on those
issues and others as he works to undo policies enacted during eight years of Republican rule.
He said the president can use such orders to move quickly on his own. “There’s a lot that the
In this 7 Nov, 2008 file photo, President-elect Obama responds to question during a news conference in Chicago as vice president-elect Joe Biden, right, listens. Obama is putting hope on hold. INTERNET Obama to use executive orders for immediate impact president can do using his executive authority without waiting for congressional action, and I think we’ll see the president do that,” Podesta said. “I think that he feels like he has a real mandate for change. We need to get off the course that the Bush administration has set.” Podesta also said
Obama is working to build a diverse Cabinet.
Internet

Applied Pharmaceutical Management Course concludes

The concluding ceremony of Advanced Applied P h a r m a c e u t i c a l Management Course
No. 3 organized by Myanmar Medical Merchants and Entrepreneurs’ Associa-tion was held at the office of UMFCCI Office Tower on Minye Kyawswar Road in Lanmadaw township, here, on 6 November. President of Myanmar Medical Merchants and En- Applied Pharmaceutical
Management Course concludes trepreneurs’ Association Dr Win Si Thu and the vice-president gave speeches and the president and executives presented certificates of honour to the course instructors and completion certificates to the trainees. The president presented prizes to outstanding trainees and Dr Mi Mi Ko recountedexperiences on the course and trainee U Wai
Chit Zaw expressed gratitude.—MNA

4th Traffic Rules Enforcement Educative Exhibition opens

Enforcement Educative Exhibition and Competitions organized by Yangon Division Traffic Rules Enforcement Committee were held at Tatmadaw Convention Hall here today. Lt-Gen Myint Swe of the Ministry of Defence unveiled the signboard of the exhibition and honoured
the winners of the competitions. Chairman of Yangon Division Peace and Development Council Commander of Yangon Command Brig-Gen Win Myint, Chairman of the Traffic Rules Enforcement Committee Deputy Commander of Yangon Command Brig-Gen Kyaw Kyaw Tun and Vice-Chairman of the committee Joint Secretary of Yangon City Development Committee U Kyaw Soe formally opened the exhibition. Lt-Gen Myint Swe unveiled the signboard of 4th Traffic Rules Enforcement Educative Exhibition opens the exhibition. Afterwards, Lt-Gen Myint Swe and party visited the booths at the exhibition. At the ceremony, Lt-Gen Myint Swe presented prizes to the first, second and third prize winners of the quiz at the basic education primary, middle and high school levels. Afterwards, Commander Brig-Gen Win Myint and officials concerned awarded other winners. Lt-Gen Myint Swe and party enjoyed the performance of the first prize winners of the poem and song contests at the basic education high, middle and primary school levels. The exhibition will be kept open from 10 to 16 November. The booths at the exhibition are staged by the departments related to traffic rules enforcement and industrial zones.
MNA

Prime Minister General Thein Sein visits National Institute of Animal Sciences in Hanoi

Prime Minister General Thein Sein visits feedstuff factory of National Institute of Animal Sciences in Hanoi.—MNA NAY PYI TAW, 9 Nov—Prime Minister of the Union of Myanmar
General Thein Sein, together with Minister for Foreign Affairs U Nyan Win, Minister for
National Planning and Economic Development U Soe Tha, Director- General Col Thant Shin
of the Government Office, departmental heads, Myanmar Ambassador to Vietnam U Aung Thein and officials, arrived at the National Institute of Animal Sciences in Tu Liem District of Hanoi, Vietnam, at 8 a.m yesterday. At the hall of the institute, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Region Development Mr Vu Van Tam extended greetings. Principal Dr Hoang Van Tieu reported on the history and sections of the institute, livestock breeding and rural development tasks. The Prime Ministerspoke words of thanks. The principal replied to
the queries of the Prime Minister on academic, management and research matters of the institute. The Vietnamese Deputy Minister presented books published by the institute to the Prime Minister. Next, Prime Minister General Thein Sein and party visited the Feedstuff Factory, the Thuy Thuong Pig Research Centre and the poultry farms.—MNA

Prime Minister General Thein Sein attends 3rd Summit of ACMECS

NAY PYI TAW, 9Nov—Prime Minister of the Union of Myanmar General Thein Sein attended the 3rd Summit of Ayeyawady-Chao P h r a y a - M e k o n g Economic Cooperation Strategy (ACMECS) at Room 339 of National Convention Centre in Hanoi of Vietnam at 9.45 a.m on 7 November. Also present at the summit were Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Hun Sen, Laotian Prime Minister Mr Bouasone Bouphavanh, Thai Prime Minister Mr Somchai Wongsawat, Vietnamese Prime Minister Mr Nguyen Tan Dung, Minister for Foreign Affairs
U Nyan Win, Minister for National Planning and Economic Development U Soe Tha, Director-General Col Thant Shin of the Government Office, departmental heads, ministers and high ranking officials of Cambodia, Laos, Thailand and Vietnam. Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Hun Sen and Prime Minister Prime Minister General Thein Sein attends 3rd Summit of ACMECS Mr Bouasone Bouphavanh of Lao PDR discussed progress of cooperation between ACMECS member countries and future tasks. Prime Minister General Thein Sein participated in discussions on reviewing the cooperation of ACMECS and future tasks. Thai Prime Minister Mr Somchai Wongsawat discussed improvementof cooperation and future prospects of ACMECS cooperation. At the summit, Vietnamese PrimeMinister Mr Nguyen Tan Dung and Prime Ministers of ACMECS member countries focused on the role of private sector for effective implementation of ACMECS member countries’ cooperation,
uplift of the role of ACMECS Economic Council, establishment of the Working Group on environmental cooperation, participation of

ACMECS in trade and investment at border regions, cooperation in agriculture, industry,
energy, transport, human resources, tourism, public health and vital part of environmental conservation. They exchanged views on organizing the 4th Summit of the ACMECS. They approved the declaration of the 3rd Summit of the ACMECS. Next, they approved Cambodia to host the 4th ACMECS Summit in 2010. The 3rd Summit of Ayeyawady-Chao Phraya-
Mekong Economic Cooperation Strategy (ACMECS) concluded at 11 a.m with an address by
Vietnamese Prime Minister Mr Nguyen Tan Dung. Later, the Prime Ministers had lunch
together at Room 243 of the National Convention

China in good position to
expand economy
SAO PAULO, 9 Nov —
World Bank President
Robert Zoellick said on Saturday that China is in a good position to have astrong fiscal expansion, away to offset the effects of international financial crisis. China is in a very good
position to have a strong fiscal expansion. The Chinese authorities spoke of that aspect,” he told a press conference in Sao Paulo, where he participates in a G20 meeting. Officials from the finance ministries and central banks of the world’s key developed and emerging countries began a twoday meeting here Saturday to look at ways to tackle the global economic crisis. Zoellick compared China’s situation in comparison with other developing countries which cannot expand their expenditures so much. Zoellick considered “very wise” China’s decision
to make large improvements in its infrastructure in the last few years, adding that it could
be taken as a model by other countries.—Xinhua

Lt-Gen Myint Swe discusses paddy production meeting the target

Lt-Gen Myint Swe of the Ministry of Defence attended the coordination meeting with departmental officials and agricultural entrepreneurs on production of paddy meeting the target at the briefing hall near Ngamoeyeik Sluice Gate in Dagon Myothit (East) Township this afternoon.Chairman of Yangon Division Peace and Development Council Commander of Yangon Command Brig-Gen Win Myint explained the arrangements for agricultural entrepreneurs and farmers to grow the Lt-Gen Myint Swe discusses paddy production meeting the target crops to meet production target.Chairman of Yangon City Development Committee
Mayor Brig-Gen Aung Thein Lin reported on necessary assistance to be provided by YCDC to the farmers.The agricultural entrepreneurs submitted the reports on efforts to be made for meeting production target of paddy and tasks being carried out.Departmental officials presented reports on their respective sectors to render assistance to the growers.After hearing the reports, Lt-Gen Myint Swe attended to the needs and gave concluding remarks.Agricultural entrepreneurs and farmers will cultivate high yield paddy strains on 8,731 acres of farmlands with the use of agricultural machinery in Yangon Division Agricultural Special Zone (1) in Dagon Myothit (East) Township and Special Zone (2) in Dagon Myothit (South) and (Seikkan) Townships.

Thaphanseik Dam, main contributor of upper Myanmar’s agricultural sector

We left Shwebo of Shwebo District, Sagaing Division, for Kanbalu Township to observe Thaphanseik Dam, from which water is drained to Karboe and Kindat diversion weirs to irrigate monsoon and summer paddy fields in Shwebo District,the granary of Sagaing Division.
On the left side of the embankment of the canal were greenish paddy fields stretching to Karboe Diversion Weir, and on the right side, Shwebo Canal, in which water flowed continuously.

Senior General Than Shwe sees off Prime Minister General Thein Sein on his departure for Vietnam

Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Senior General Than Shwe saw off Prime Minister General Thein Sein at Nay Pyi Taw Airport at 10a.m today.Prime Minister General Thein Sein left here by special flight to attend the 4th Cambodia,Senior General Than Shwe sees off Prime Minister General Thein Sein on his departure for Vietnam Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam (CLMV) Summit and the 3rd Ayeyawady-
Chao Phraya-Mekong Economic Cooperation Strategy (ACMECS) to be held in Hanoi of the
Socialist Republic of Vietnam.Also present at the airport to see off the Prime Minister were Vice-Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Deputy Commander-in-Chief of
Defence Services Comm a n d e r - i n - C h i e f (Army) Vice-Senior General Maung Aye,SPDC member General Thura Shwe Mann of the Ministry of Defence,Secretary-1 Lt-Gen Thiha Thura Tin Aung Myint Oo, Commanderin-Chief (Navy) Rear-Admiral Nyan Tun,Commander-in-Chief (Air) Lt-Gen Myat Hein,Lt-Gen Myint Hlaing,Maj-Gen Maung Shein,Maj-Gen Ohn Myint,Maj-Gen Min Aung Hlaing, Maj-Gen Thura Myint Aung and Maj-Gen Hla Htay Win of the Ministry of Defence,Commander of Nay Pyi Taw Command Maj-Gen Wai Lwin, Minister
for Information Brig-Gen Kyaw Hsan, Deputy Minister for Transport Col Nyan Tun Aung,senior military officers,Director-General Col Kyaw Kyaw Win of the SPDC Office, departmental heads, Charge d’Affaires ai of the Vietnamese Embassy Mr Vu Van Minh and officials.The Prime Minister was accompanied by Minister for Foreign Affairs U Nyan Win,
Minister for National Planning and Economic Development U Soe Tha, Director-General
Col Thant Shin of the Government Office and departmental heads.

Sittoung Bridge (Moppalin) for smooth and speedy transport

Nowadays, the government, the people and the Tatmadaw have been making harmonious efforts to construct roads for passing through mountains and to build bridges spanning rivers and creeks across the nation. As a result, road networks have been set up ensuring smooth transport from north to south and from east to west throughout the nation.
Indeed, Mon State plays a key role in realizing the national economy of the State. The region has rice surplus in the agriculture sector. Moreover, remarkable progress has been achieved in cultivation of rubber in the State after setting an aim that Mon State must be a rubber state.
In Mon State, special project bridges such as Thebyu Creek Bridge, Attayan Bridge, Donthami Creek Bridge, Ye River Bridge and Thanlwin Bridge (Mawlamyine), which is the longest and largest one in the country, have been built. In addition, the 1,365 feet long Sittoung Bridge (Moppalin) was inaugurated on 12 July 2008 contributing to more development of Mon State.
Sittoung Bridge (Moppalin) was built four miles downstream the existing Sittoung Bridge (Theinzayat). Its upper structure is steel frame type and the bridge can withstand 60-ton loads of every vehicle.
The bridge is connected with two approach roads — 224.1 feet long approach road was constructed on Kyaikto bank and 783.6 feet long one on Waw bank. The bridge is 2,392.7 feet long and it has 28 feet wide motorway flanked by six feet wide pedestrian ways.
In the past, the local people did not have easy access to Mon and Kayin States and Taninthayi
Division due to poor transport. At present, they have the opportunity to travel from one place to another in a short time. Furthermore, the local people can visit other States and Divisions through the bridges. Sittoung Bridge (Moppalin) is the sixth facility of its kind in Mon State as well as the 235th facility in the entire nation. River crossing bridges have been built one after another, and plans are under way to construct more and more bridges. Actually, these bridges are the milestones that reflect the correct leadership of the government, the ardent efforts and innovative capabilities of Myanmar engineers and the united strength of the national people.