A & I Minister participates in 65th Session of ESCAP

A Myanmar delegation led by Minister for Agriculture and Irrigation Maj-Gen Htay Oo had
participated in the 65th Session of the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific-
ESCAP held at the UN Conference Centre in Bangkok, Thailand, from 23 to 29 April. The delegations from 48 member nations of the ESCAP also attended the meeting. The senior officials’ meeting of the ESCAP was held from 23 to 26 April and the ministerial meeting, from
27 to 29 April. The 65th Session of the ESCAP was opened with opening remarks by Prime Minister of Thailand Mr Abhisit Vejjajiva and Secretary of the Economic and Social A & I Minister participates in 65th Session of ESCAP Commission of the ESCAP Dr. Noeleen Heyzer read out the message of Secretary- General of the UN Mr Ban Ki-moon. The ministerial
meeting of the ESCAP focused on “Sustainable Agriculture and Food Security in the Asia and
Pacific Region” and Minister Maj-Gen Htay Oo participated in the meeting. On 29 April,
Minister Maj-Gen Htay Oo held talks with Dr Noeleen Heyzer, Assistant Secretary-General of the UN, and discussed matters on cooperation between Myanmar and the ESCAP in the development of the agricultural sector of Myanmar and food security in the region. The Myanmar delegation arrived back here on 30 April.

Ambassador of the Republic of Sudan Mr. Mirghani Mohamed Salih met with President of the
Union of Myanmar Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry U Win Myint, Vice-
Presidents U Zaw Min Win and U Aung Lwin, General Secretary Dr Maung Maung Lay, CEC
members U Tin Win, U Aung Than Oo and U Sein Lwin, Chairman of Myanmar Rice and Paddy
Producers Association U Sein Win Hlaing and representatives of Myanmar Rubber Cultivator and Producers Association at the UMFCCI Office on 29 April afternoon. They discussed
promotion of bilateral trade between the two countries, exporting of rice, timber, rubber and aquatic products to Sudan and exchange of visits of entrepreneurs between two countries.

The Government of the Union of Myanmar Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries Livestock Breeding and Veterinary Department Warning on Swine flu

1. Swine flu in humans: Swine flu has been detected in the people in Mexico, the US, Canada and New Zealand from 17 April to date. A total of 160 persons were killed in the infection of virus.
2. Symptoms in swine: The symptoms of the swine flu are sudden illness, mopping, coughing, runny nose, sneezing, difficult breathing, red eyes,inflammation, loss appetite. These symptoms can also be found in normal coughing and other sickness due to the weather changes.
3. Points to be followed in prevention against swine flu (a) If found symptoms of sickness in pigs, they are to be kept in quarantine, and inform the LBVD.
(b) Take care of bio security in the farm where a large number of pigs are raised
(c) Wash hands and legs clean after cleaning the pigsty
(d) Use face masks and gloves when handling the unhealthy pigs
(e) Ban the sale of unhealthy pigs in the markets.
(f) Do not raise the pigs of unknown origin, especially those smuggled
from other country
(g) If pork is cooked at 70°C and above, there will be no infection.
4. Prevention of swine flu: There is no case of swine flu in Myanmar. It is necessary for pig breeders and those who keep pigs on commercial scale and seller to participate in the preventive measures against the disease in cooperation with Myanmar Livestock Breeding Federation, Development Committees and local authorities.

Warning on global human flu

1. Swine flu in humans: Swine flu has been detected in the people in
Mexico, the US, Canada and New Zealand from 17 April to date. A total of 160
persons were killed in infection of virus.
2. The flu is caused by a new virus. It is mixed with four genes and can
spread quickly. Now there are cases of such flu in some countries. Regarding the
disease, the World Health Organization announced that it is international public
health State of emergency. The Ministry of Health is undertaking preventive
measures against transmitting to humans through avian flu. In some countries
there was an outbreak of swine flu among the people. The Ministry of Health is
carrying out the tasks to fight against the disease.
3. The symptoms of swine flu are body heat, runny nose, coughing, aching,
headache, lethargy, difficult breathing. They are like the symptoms of other
diseases. If these symptoms appear, do not go to crowded public places such as
worksites and schools. Take a rest at home. Make contact with the nearest health
centres. Go to the hospital when one has high fever, long coughing, difficult
breathing and lethargy. If the disease is serious, go to the hospital immediately.
Wear surgical masks in order not to spread the disease.
4. It is found that the disease spread from people to people. Like SARS, it
can become a pandemic. Therefore, the people are requested to keep the
following points.
(a) Using handkerchief when coughing
(b) Washing the hands with soap properly
(c) Carrying out personal hygiene measures
(d) Sleeping well
(e) Eating nutritious food
(f) Taking exercises
(g) Breathing fresh air
5. In order to prevent flu infection, those who take care of the people
infected with flu, wear surgical masks.
6. The Ministry of Health has made arrangements for prevention of the
spread of such flu from other countries. News and information will be announced
in time and the people are requested to follow the notice of the ministry.

Better transport for progress of local trading

The government has been building infrastructures in transport and communications, economic, education and health sectors in states and divisions including border areas for equitable development. Ensuring secure and smooth transport contributes towards the speedy flow of
commodities and development of trading in the respective regions. That is why the government is building a road and bridge network nationwide. Despite heights and gorges in Shan State, new motor roads and railroads are being built overcoming all difficulties. At the same time airports, runways and bridges across the rivers are being upgraded for better transport in the region.
The 600-foot Shweli Bridge (Namhkam) built on Mandalay-Lashio-Namhkam- Bhamo Road was inaugurated in Namhkam Township, Shan State (North) last month. It is a reinforced concrete Bailey Bridge, the 222nd one which is 180 feet and above built by the Ministry of Construction. It is also the 15th such facility in Shan State. With the completion of the bridge,
transport of Mandalay-Lashio-Namhkam- Bhamo Road will become smooth and secure and local products can be transported easily and speedily. Better transport means development of trade in the respective regions. Inauguration of a lot of roads and bridges in the country will bring about improvement of economic, education, health and social aspectsof local people.

Foreign Affairs Minister attends Ministerial Meeting of Coordinating Bureau of NAM

A Myanmar delegation led by Minister for Foreign Affairs U Nyan Win arrived back here via Bangkok by air yesterday evening after attending the Ministerial Meeting of the Coordinating Bureau of Non-Aligned Movement held in Havana of Cuba from 27 to 30 April. At the opening
ceremony on 29 April morning, Cuban President Mr Raul Castro Ruz delivered an address. Over
700 delegates from 119 NAM member countries, 14 observer states, six international organizations and 29 invited countries attended the meeting. Minister U Nyan Win attended the meeting on 29 and 30 April in his capacity as one of the Vice- Chairmen elected from the
Asian group. On 30 April, Minister U Nyan Win delivered an address that the rapid pace
of globalization and the global economic uncertainty were posing daunting challenges to the
developing countries. Measures taken by the developed countries in reviving their economy
should not be at the expense of the developing countries. As a result of current financial and economic crises, domestic production and exports have dramatically declined. The crisis also caused trade imbalances between developed and developing countries due to protectionism and
restrictive measures applied by the developed countries on the developing ones. Therefore, it is necessary to increase trade and investment among the member countries of NAM.The minister said that taking advantage of the financial crisis and in the name of democracy and human
rights, some industrialized countries have been imposing economic restrictions on third world countries with the aim of exerting political pressures. Democracy is a universal value based on the will of the people to determine their own future. There is no single model of Democracy. He stressed the need to lift unilateral sanctions imposed on developing countries as they were against the international law and counterproductive to the promotion of democracy and human rights of the country concerned. The minister also urged developed countries to provide urgently needed medicines, financial and technical assistance to the developing countries in prevention and fight against recent outbreak of swine flu epidemic originated in Mexico. Minister U Nyan
Win appraised the meeting with positive developments achieved in the implementation of Sevenstep Road Map to democratization in Myanmar and the status of reconstruction works
undertaken for the victims of Cyclone Nargis. On 27 April afternoon, Minister U Nyan Win met
with Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of Cuba Mr Marcos Rodriguez Costa and exchanged views on strengthening of bilateral relations and mutual cooperation in the international fora. He attended a welcoming reception hosted by Minister of Foreign Affairs of Cuba Mr Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla on 29 April evening. The Ministerial Meeting was held in conjunction with the 15th Non-Aligned Summit to be held in Egypt in July 2009. The Ministerial Meeting adopted a Final Document to be submitted to the 15th NAM Summit as well as declarations on the current
financial and economic crisis, solidarity with Swine Flu affected Mexico and on Palestine and on
Zimbabwe. The Myanmar delegation also attended the Senior Officials Meeting of the NAM Coordinating Bureau held on 27 and 28 April. The Senior Officials Meeting had discussed
global issues, regional and sub-regional issues, and development, social and human rights issues
contained in the draft Final Declaration to be submitted to the 15th Summit of the NAM to be held in Egypt in July 2009.

Factories in Bago Division (West) focus on boosting production

Minister for Industry-2 Vice-Admiral Soe Thein viewed assembling of automobiles and production procedures at Press Shop with the use of Press Machines at Assembly Line and Painting Booth of Myanmar Double Cab Assembling Factory at No. 2 Automobile Factory
(Htonbo) on 1 May. In his instruction, the minister said that as necessary assistance has been provided to the factory for gaining production momentum, it is necessary to manufacture the quality products meeting the target. Yesterday, the minister inspected production process at Battery Factory and looked into operating of Waste Water Treatment Plant. The minister also inspected production of hydropower turbines at No. 1 Machine and Machine Tools Factory (Nyaungchedauk) and machinery for the industrial training schools. Later, he viewed production
process of the factory.

Entire people to strive for success of the 2010 election in line with the State Constitution and join hands with the government in nation-building end

Prime Minister meets departmental officials, social organizations
and local people of Mongyan, Metmang and Monghkat townships

NAY PYI TAW, 27 April—Prime Minister General Thein Sein, on his tour of Kengtung in Shan State (East), attended the opening ceremony of the runway of Kengtung airport on the morning of 25 April. Then, the Prime Minister, accompanied by Maj-Gen Min Aung Hlaing of the Ministry of Defence, Chairman of Shan State (East) Peace and Development Council Commander of Triangle Region Command Brig-Gen Kyaw Phyo, the ministers, the deputy ministers, the director-general of the Government Office and departmental heads, helicoptered to Mongyan in Kengtung District and arrived there at 9.45 am. On arrival there, the Prime Minister and party were welcomed by Col Win Naing of Mongyan Station,Chairman of Kengtung District Peace and Development Council U Hla Win Tin, Chairman of Mongyan Township Peace and Development Council U Ye Lin Aung and township-level departmental personnel. At the hall of Mongyan people’s hospital, Medical Superintendent Dr Ye Myint Aung updated the Prime Minister on medical care in the township and patient care at the hospital.
Next, Maj-Gen Min Aung Hlaing and Commander Brig-Gen Kyaw Phyo and Minister for Health Dr Kyaw Myint explained the contribution to medical care in the township and the Prime Minister fulfilled the requirements. The Prime Minister donated medical supplies for the hospital through the medical superintendent. Maj-Gen Min Aung Hlaing and the Minister for Health also presented medical equipment. The Prime Minister and party looked around the hospital and spoke words of encouragement to the inpatients and gave cash assistance to them. The Prime Minister and party also inspected the medical store, the laboratory and the X-ray room.
Afterwards, the Prime Minister proceeded to the township hall and met with township-level departmental personnel, members of the social organizations, townselders and local people. First, Chairman of Mongyan Township Peace and Development Council explained matters relating to agriculture, education, health, transport and development to the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister fulfilled the requirements. Next, Director-General of the Government Office Col Thant Shin explained the lighting with the use of bio batteries and the process of making bio batteries to those present. After that, Maj-Gen Min Aung Hlaing of the Ministry of Defence, Minister for Cooperatives Maj-Gen Tin Htut, Minister for Transport Maj-Gen Thein Swe and Minister for Commerce Brig-Gen Tin Naing Thein handed the clothing and sports equipment to township-level officials. Then the Prime Minister cordially greeted all those present.
The Prime Minister and party proceeded to Metmang in Kengtung District by helicopter and arrived there at noon and were welcomed by Metmang Township Peace and Development Council Chairman U Kyaw Soe, departmental personnel, teachers, students and townselders. Soon after they arrived there, the Prime Minister and party visited Metmang people’s hospital and comforted the inpatients and gave cash assistance to them.
The Prime Minister also donated medical supplies for the hospital and assistant surgeon Dr Myo Zaw Hein received them. Next, the Prime Minister met with township-level departmental personnel, members of the social organizations, townselders and local people at the township hall and gave necessary supplies for the township through the chairman of the Township Peace and Development Council. Maj-Gen Min Aung Hlaing of the Ministry of Defence, the commander and the ministers also handed the clothing, sports equipment and medical supplies. After that, the Director-General of the Government Office explained the lighting with the use of bio batteries and the process of making bio batteries to those present.
The Prime Minister cordially greeted all those present and left Metmang for Monghkat. On arrival at Monghkat, the Prime Minister and party were welcomed by Monghkat Townshop Peace and Development Council Chairman U Nyein Htwe, departmental personnel and local people.
The Prime Minister and party proceeded to Monghkat people’s hospital and spoke words of encouragement to the inpatients and gave cash assistance to them. Next, the Prime Minister looked around the theatre, the X-ray room and the medical store and handed medical supplies and equipment to Medical Superintendent Dr Khin Maung Tin. After that, the Prime Minister exhorted the health workers to make field trips to rural areas and educate the local people on health and prevention of diseases and lay down treatment programmes systematically and act accordingly.
Afterwards, the Prime Minister met with local people in Monghkat at the townhall. At the meeting, the chairman of the Monghkat Township Peace and Development Council reported on the agriculture, education, health, transportation and development sectors of the township. After hearing reports, the prime minister fulfilled the requirements for the development tasks. The Director-General of the Government Office demonstrated the ways for making a bio-gas powered-battery. Afterwards, the Prime Minister presented sports gear and aids to local people through the chairman of the township PDC, and the commander and the ministers presented clothes and aids to responsible officials.
After the meeting, the prime minister and party flew to Kengtung. During his tour of townships in Kengtung District in Shan State (East), the prime minister fulfilled the requirements of the townships. Speaking on the occasions, the Prime Minister briefed on the importance of trade in the Shan State (East) as the region shares borders with neighboring countries; on conditions of Shan State (East) which lagged behind in development as there broke out armed conflicts; and on the need for maintaining of peace and security in the region. He also briefed on implementation of the special development project and rural area development project of the Tatmadaw Government as part of efforts for narrowing development gaps and equitable development of all national races; on fruitful results of developments in the regions as the Tatmadaw Government fulfilled the requirements for the education and health sectors which play a key role in the development of the regions; and on implementation of the seven-step Road Map for transition to democracy. He also urged the entire people to strive as a national concern for success of the 2010 election in line with the State Constitution which was unanimously approved by the people and join hands with the government in nationbuilding endeavours.

Wahpa Dam supplying drinking water to Thaton dwellers, irrigating 2400 acres of farmlands

Last month, I made a field trip to Thaton District of Mon State to observe the higher living standard of the local farmers thanks to sluice gates built by Irrigation Department and their feeling. On the way to Irrigation Yeiktha of Thaton, we saw a signboard bearing “Town Water Supply” beside Thaton-Hpaan Road.
Staff Officer (Civil) U San Thwin of Construction (6) of Irrigation Department conducted us round the drinking water supply facility being undertaken by Thaton Township Development Affairs Committee for 68,730 people of five wards from Thaton. The department is supplying drinking water to the township from Wahpa Dam, 1.5 miles east of the town, through 24-inch diameter concrete pipelines. We had an interview with Deputy Staff Officer (Civil) U Hla Myaing of Irrigation Department which is maintaining Wahpa Dam in Thaton. He said, “In accord with the guidance of the Head of State, Wahpa Dam was built on Wahpa Creek in Thaton Township and it was inaugurated in 1994. In the past, selfreliant wells were dug for drinking water. In laterite soil, the wells had to be dug up to 60 feet deep. At present Wahpa Dam is supplying 2.43 million gallons of drinking water to the local people and irrigating 2400 acres of farmlands in Gaw, Binhlaing and Theingon Village-tracts. Moreover, water is being supplied to 500 acres of summer paddy plantations. The dam having over 200 inches of rainfalls annually drains out surplus water through the spillway.
We control water supply to the town and all the local people are being supplied with 20 gallons each of water per day.” To observe the water supply functions of the dam, we proceeded to the office of Township Development Affairs Department on Yongyi Road of Nankhe Ward in Thaton. Assistant Director Executive Officer U Myint Thein and Junior Engineer (Civil) Daw Khin Moe Hnin explained supply of water to the township. Assistant Director U Myint Thein said that a total of 630,000 gallons of water is being provided to 7,827 households of four wards in Thaton Township.
After performing the quality control task, drinking water is being supplied, he added. As over 500,000 gallons of water is added into the water supply facility, over 11 million gallons of water can be distributed to the urban area. He further explained that water from the dam is being pumped to 300,000-gallon-capacity water tank at the foot of Myathabeik Hill through 24-inch diameter concrete pipes. After that, drinking water from the tank is supplied systematically to the households installed with water meters in the urban areas, he said.
As part of efforts to develop the nation, the Irrigation Department and Township Development Affairs Department are joining hands in supplying water to Thaton dwellers and 2,400 acres of farmlands.

Lt-Gen Myint Swe attends opening of inter-village gravel road, new school building in Kyauktan

YANGON, 26 April— Lt-Gen Myint Swe of the Ministry of Defence, together with Chairman of Yangon Division Peace and Development Council Commander of Yangon Command Brig-Gen Win Myint, attended an opening ceremony of a new gravel road linking Sinmakaw village and
Tada village held at Sinmakaw village in the town of Tada yesterday.
Lt-Gen Myint Swe, the commander and an elderly villager cut the ribbon to open the new road, and they inspected the road. Next, they also attended a ceremony to open the new building of Sinmakaw Middle School (Branch). The commander, the chairman of District PDC and a villager cut the ribbon to open the new building. Lt-Gen Myint Swe and party inspected the new school building.
Afterwards, an official handed over documents related to the school building to the assistant township education officer. The commander presented publications for the Thuta Yeikmon Library to the chairman of the village council. Lt-Gen Myint Swe and the commander presented bio batteries and bulbs to responsible people and they had a documentary photo taken together. They also inspected repairs of the village drinking lake and the library. Lt-Gen Myint Swe donated periodicals to the library. Later, Lt-Gen Myint Swe and the commander inspected the rural dispensary and staff quarters and the currents of Hmawwin Creek.