Senior General Than Shwe calls for speeding up projects, regular maintenance of facilities Special Projects Implementation Committee meeting concludes

The Special Projects Implementation Committee held Meeting (1/2009) at the Office of the Commander-in-Chief (Army), here, yesterday. Chairman of Special Projects Implementation
Committee Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Senior General Than Shwe gave necessary guidance. Also present at the meeting were Vice- Chairman of Special Projects Implementation Committee Vice-Chairman of SPDC Deputy Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Commander-in-Chief (Army) Vice-Senior General Maung Aye, Members of Special Projects Implementation Committee Member of SPDC General Thura Shwe Mann, Prime Minister General Thein Sein, Secretary of Special Projects Implementation Committee Secretary-1 of SPDC General Thiha Thura Tin Aung Myint Oo, Members of SPIC Lt-Gen Tin Aye, the Commander-in-Chief (Navy), the Commander-in- Chief (Air), senior military officers, ministers, deputy ministers, heads of departments and officials. Minister for Electric Power No. 1 Col Zaw Min reported on the accomplishment of the tasks for the implementation of nine projects and another 35 under implementation permitted by the Special Projects Implementation Committee and Bawgata Hydropower Project for which permission was sought from the SPIC. Bawgata Hydropower Project the Hydropower Implementation Department is going to implement is about 10 miles north-east of Kyaukkyi, Bago Division. The project with a capacity of 168 megawatt will generate 500 million kilowatt/hours yearly. The already-built projects are Zawgyi, Zaungtu, haphanseik, Monchaung, Paunglong, Yenwe, Khabaung, Kyaingtaung and Shweli-1. Minister for Electric Power No. 2 Maj-Gen Khin Maung Myint reported on the projects implemented, ongoing ones and those to be implemented out of the grid and main power station projects. Now, grid and main power station projects are being implemented to distribute the electricity to be generated by the ongoing hydropower projects to the power supply system. In the meantime, power cables are being installed and sub-power stations, constructed to distribute the electricity from the power supply system to the people. The two ongoing grid projects are the project for relocation of Hlinethaya- Athoke 230 KV (Gazindaw) grids across the Ayeyawady River and the 36.34 miles long Myaungmya-Labutta 66 KV Grid Project. And the ongoing sub-power station projects are the project for installation of one 66KV Switch Bay in 66 KV Myaungmya Subpower Station, and Labutta 66/11 KV, 10 MVA Sub-power Station. The 20 future grid projects include Saidin-
Buthidaung-Maungtaw 66 KV Grid Project, Saidin-Kanzauk 66 KV Grid Project, Ahtet Buywa-Buywa 132 KV Double Grid Project, Buywa-Tanyaung 132 KV Double Grid Project,
Tanyaung-Chauk 132 KV Grid Project, Tanyaung- Man 132 KV Grid Project, Nyaungbingyi-Chaungku (Pauk) 230 KV Grid Project, Chaungku (Pauk)-Pauk 66 KV Double Grid Project,
Chaungku (Pauk)-Kyaw 66 KV Grid Project, T h a p h a n s e i k - Hngetpyawdaing 132 KV
Grid Project, Ahtet Hsedawgyi-Hsedawgyi 132 KV Grid Project, Ahtet Yeywa-Shwesaryan
230 KV Grid Project. In addition, 30 more main power stations will be built. The generators in
Hlawga, Ywama, Ahlon and Thakayta gas-fired power plants in Yangon and those gas-fired ower stations including Kyunchaung, Mann and Shwedaung power stations will be under
major repair. Minister for Transport Maj-Gen Thein Swe gave an account of Nay Pyi Taw
International Airport Project. One 12,000' x 200' runway, one 12,000' x 100' runway, four 650' x 100' taxiways, four 550' x 100' taxiways, one 1200' x 1200' apron, one airport building, one airline control tower, and related structures are being constructed in three phases in order that Nay Pyi Taw International Airport will have all characters of an international level airport.
Minister for Energy Brig-Gen Lun Thi reported on energy projects. Minister for Rail Transportation Maj-Gen Aung Min reported on M i n b u - A n - S i t t w a y Railroad Project, and the project to upgrade the three Myanma locomotive factories to produce locomotives and carriages on a wider scale. Minbu-An-Sittway Railroad Project will link Minbu in Magway
Division and Sittway in Rakhine State. The project is on Kyangin-Pakokku railroad section. The 257 miles long project will pass through Hsingaung, Padan, Natyaygantaung, An, Minbya, MraukU and Kyauktaw townships passing through tunnels and culverts. On completion of the
project, local people of Rakhine State can travel to various parts of the nation. It will make significant contribution towards improvement of various sectors. It will have 51 stations and
1285 large and small bridges. Locomotive Factory (Insein), Diesel Locomotive Factory (Ywahtaung) and Locomotive Shed (Myitnge) will conduct major and minor repairs to the present locomotives, produce new locomotives, replace old engines with new ones, produce
carriages and cargo wagons, and conduct major repair to present carriages and cargo wagons.
In order to complete the construction of the National Railway Network, the Ministry of Rail Transportation is implementing Kyangin- Pakokku Railroad Project, Katha-Bhamo Railroad Project, Pyawbwe-Natmauk- Magway Railroad Project, Namsang- Kengtung Railroad Project, and Dawei- Myeik Railroad Project. In response to the report, Senior General Than Shwe in his
concluding remarks called for speeding up the projects and regular maintenance to the facilities.
The meeting ended in the afternoon.

Minister receives Thai guests

May—Minister for Electric Power No. 1 Col Zaw Min received Permanent Secretary of Ministry of Energy of Thailand (MOEN) Dr Pornchai Rujiprapa, Acting Managing Director of Mr Prutichai
Chonglertvanichkul of EGAT International Company Ltd and General Manager Mr Zhang Goulai of Sinohydro Corporation Limited at his office, here on 1 May. Present on the occasion were
Deputy Minister U Myo Myint, directorsgeneral and managing directors of the departments and enterprises under the ministry and officials. Their meeting focused on cooperation in implementation of Hatgyi hydropower project.

Apply ICT for national development

The Myanmar ICT Exhibition (2009) was held at the Tatmadaw Convention Hall on U Wisara Road in Dagon Township from 1 to 3 May. Information and communication technologies play a major role in the development of a nation. Nowadays, the nations developed in high technologies are trying to interfere in the domestic affairs of the ones with less technological development.
For a nation in the present-day world to be able to stand long on its own strength, it needs to have human resources well versed in modern science and technology. Holding ICT exhibitions will enable the people to keep in touch with the latest information technologies and products. They offer the people a chance to learn about new technologies. Moreover, they will make the
youth become more interested in technologies, especially in information technology. Myanmar ICT exhibitions will enable the people to learn about modern technologies developing with the passage of time and contribute towards national development.

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.