Vice-Senior General Maung Aye receives Vietnamese Military Attachés

Vice-Senior General Maung Aye shaking hands with outgoing Military Attaché of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam to the Union of Myanmar Sr. Colonel Le Van Thanh at Bayintnaung Yeiktha in Nay Pyi Taw.—MNA

Vice-Senior General Maung Aye cordially greets incoming Military Attaché of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam to the Union of Myanmar Sr. Colonel Nguyen Van Vui at Bayintnaung Yeiktha in Nay Pyi Taw.—MNA

Vice-Senior General Maung Aye receives outgoing Military Attaché of Vietnam Sr. Colonel Le Van Thanh and incoming Military Attaché Sr. Colonel Nguyen Van Vui at Bayintnaung Yeiktha in Nay PyiTaw.—MNA

NAY PYI TAW, 29 Oct—Vice-Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council of the Union of Myanmar Deputy Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Commander-in-Chief (Army) Vice-Senior General Maung Aye received Military Attaché of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam to the Union of Myanmar Sr. Colonel Le Van Thanh who has completed his tour of duty and his successor Sr. Colonel Nguyen Van Vui at Bayintnaung Yeiktha, here, thismorning.
Also present at the call were Member of the State Peace and Development Council General Thura Shwe Mann, Commander- in-Chief (Navy) Rear-Admiral Nyan Tun, Commander in-Chief (Air) Lt- Gen Myat Hein and Military Affairs Security Chief Lt-Gen Ye Myint.—MNA

Maintain roads for development of storm-hit regions

There were damages in some parts of Ayeyawady Division due to natural disaster in May this year. Therefore rehabilitation tasks are being carried out with plenty of guts, goodwill and solidarity of the people. The government provides food, clothing and shelter needs of storm victims and assistance for resuming of their livelihood. Houses have been built in villages in Labutta, Mawlamyinegyun, Pyapon, Kyaiklat, Dedaye and Hainggyikyun Townships. Local people in those areas have carried out agriculture and fisheries works and permormed otherbusiness with greater momentum. Roads were mainly used for rescue, relief and rehabilitation tasks in the stormhit regions after the post-storm period. Yangon-Pathein Road and Pyapon-Bogale Road were deteriorating due to heavy traffic and rains. Priority is being given to roadrepair work for the convenience of heavy trucks and passenger buses. Now the dry season has set in, so potholes along the roads are to be filled with laterite and sand and to be resurfacedthrough the coordination of departments concerned. Model villages were established afterthe government provided health care services, safe drinking water and transport facilitiesin the region. Better transport and communication is the main factor for regional development.Therefore it is necessary to properly maintain the major roads in the regions in all seasons.Local people in cooperation with officials concerned are to take part in the rehabilitation tasks of the storm-hit regions and improvement of their livelihood.

Prime Minister holds discussions with divisional level officials in Pathein Needs to improve transport for convenience of trucks in a bid to facilitate regeneration of storm-hit areas and reconstruction tasks stressed

YANGON, 28 Oct—Chairman of the National Disaster Preparedness Central Committee Prime Minister General Thein Sein had a meeting with
divisional level departmental officials at South-West Command in Pathein yesterday
afternoon. It was also attended by Maj-Gen Ko Ko of the Ministry of Defence, Chairman of Ayeyawady Division Peace and Development Council Commander of South- West Command Brig-Gen Kyaw Swe, ministers, deputy ministers, the director-general of the Government Office, and heads of department. The Prime Minister in his address said that Yangon-Pathein Road and Pyapon-Bogale Road have gone to rack and ruin due to the facts that it have to cope with excessive traffic for rescue, relief, rehabilitation and reconstruction tasks bein YANGON, 28 Oct— Chairman of the National Disaster Preparedness Central Committee Prime Minister General Thein Sein had a meeting with divisional level departmental officials at South-West Command in Pathein yesterday afternoon. It was also attended by Maj-Gen Ko Ko of the Ministry of Defence, Chairman of Ayeyawady Division Peace and Development Council Commander of South- West Command Brig-Gen Kyaw Swe, ministers, deputy ministers, the director-general of the Government Office, and heads of department.
The Prime Minister in his address said that Yangon-Pathein Road and Pyapon-Bogale Road
have gone to rack and ruin due to the facts that it have to cope with excessive traffic for rescue, relief, rehabilitation and reconstruction tasks being regard, the Ministry of Construction is sharing the tasks with the company for stepping up the tasks of repairing the road. As the first phase, potholes along the roads were filled with laterite and sand for the convenience of the trucks, but the facilities are now deteriorating following heavy rains.
It is required to provide constant repair to the roads section-wise under daily supervision for
smooth transport. The Ministry for Progress of Border Areas and National Races and Development Affairs is undertaking tasks for upgrading Pyapon-Bogale Road section.
This rainy season, the task most available in the process is the filling of the potholes on the surfaces of the roads. So, potholes are to be filled in the first stage. He called for resurfacing of the roads a the same time. Divisional level officials have to provide supervisions in the regions concerned and hold coordination between departments. Simultaneously, five roads leading to seaside regions in Ayeyawady Division are under construction to be able to evacuate people and farm animals in the face of a natural disaster and to speed up regional
development tasks. In the first phase, the roads have to be shaped into earth ones with
bridges, medium and small, in this dry season. The road sections in the villages along the coast are to be raised to as high as 25 to 30 feet along with cyclone shelters. As to the second
phase, the majority of the people are rural folks, so the nation will be developed only if the people in rural areas enjoy social and economic development. As a result of the five rural development work programmes, rural people have been able to enjoy the taste of development in the education, health, water supply, transport and economic sectors. Now, it can be demonstrated for raising the living standard of rural people that a household with four or five heads of cattle can do the cooking, generate electric power with the use of the biofuel derived from the natural waste of the farm animals, and they can also use the bio-fertilizer and waste liquid from the digester for growing crops, and that helps the plants grow fast and boost agricultural production. In conclusion he called on officials in the administrative bodies to encourage local people to use bio-gas fuel on a wider scale. The commander reported on progress in growing monsoon paddy in the division, conditions of thriving paddy fields, provision of agricultural equipment, arrangements for control of pests, rehabilitation and
reconstruction tasks, production of fish and prawn, and preparations for operation of salt farms. Minister for Progress of Border Areas and National Races and Development Affairs Col Thein Nyunt reported on progress in implementing rehabilitation and reconstruction tasks, construction of houses, the site chosen for construction of cyclone shelters in Labutta Township, plans for supply of clean water, progress in constructing roads and bridges in the urban areas, rehabilitation and reconstruction tasks in Mawlamyinegyun Township; Minister for Mines Brig-Gen Ohn Myint, on progress in building houses in the storm-hit areas in Hainggyikyun Township; Minister for Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement Maj-Gen Maung Maung Swe, on the number of houses to be built and work progress, donations and distribution of relief supplies; Minister for Transport Maj-Gen Thein Swe, on transport of construction materials and farm implements, and freights of floating hospitals; Minister for Health Dr Kyaw Myint, on health care being provided in the storm-ravaged areas; Minister
for Communications, Posts and Telegraphs Brig- Gen Thein Zaw, on arrangements for improving the communication network in Ayeyawady Division; and Minister for Livestock and Fisheries Brig-Gen Maung Maung Thein, on distribution of fishing boats and fishing nets, donations and distribution of cattle. In response, the Prime Minister attended to the
requirements, calling for inculcating all the households in the villages and townships in Ayeyawady Division to grow fruit and vegetables on a small scale. He also called for establishment of model agricultural farms with the use of the bio-fertilizers and
waste liquid by raising pigs on a commercial scale in the towns. He said that all are to work hard for generating electric power with the use of bio-gas as part of the drive for rural development.

Bio-fuel saves money and energy, reduces environmental pollution and deforestation Prime Minister inspects natural waste biogas digesters

Prime Minister General Thein Sein visits the natural waste biogas digester of MyanmarPharmaceutical Factory (Yangon).—MNA

Prime Minister General Thein Sein hears a report on anti-venom from chicken egg by Assistant Factory Manager Dr Aung Zaw.— MNA

Cooking with bio-fuel from natural waste bio-fuel digester.—MNA

YANGON, 26 Oct – Prime Minister General Thein Sein visited Myanmar Pharmaceutical Factory (Yangon) and inspected the natural waste biogas digesters this afternoon. The Prime Minister, accompanied by Lt-Gen Myint Swe of the Ministry of Defence, arrived at MPF (Yangon) at 2 a.m. They were welcomed there by Chairman of Yangon Division Peace and Development Council Commander of Yangon Command Brig- Gen Win Myint, the ministers, the deputy ministers, senior military officers, the director-general of the Government Office and departmental officials. The Prime Minister looked into the biogas digester displayed at the briefing hall. Minister for Industry-1 U Aung Thaung and factory manager U Win Ko Ko reported on production of bio-fuel from natural waste. Next, he viewed the cooking of rice, boiling of water and lighting of storm-lanterns with the use of bio-fuel produced from the digester. Then, the Prime Minister inspected the digester and its parts.
In meeting with officials, the Prime Minister spoke of the need to build digester in every village by convincing the households that they can do the cooking and light storm-lanterns with the
use of bio-fuel derived from animal waste of five or six heads of cattle, to get the rural people to use bio-fuel extensively for improvement of their living conditions and the remaining bio fertilizers and bio solution for the growing of crops and to conduct multiplier courses on installation and use of bio-fuel boilers. About 20 pounds of waste of four to five heads of cattle, five pigs or 15 goats are enough to run the bio-fuel digester. With the use of bio-fuel, many things such as cooking, boiling of water and lighting of two 40 watt bulbs per night can be done
without any danger. The waste liquid from the digester can be used as feedstuff for pigs and fish
and for plantations. It can also be spread on dried hay to produce powerful natural fertilizers. Use of bio-fuel can save money and energy and reduce environmental pollution and deforestation. Afterwards, the Prime Minister studied research work on producing antivenom
from chicken eggs. Assistant factory manager Dr Aung Zaw reported on production process.
Minister U Aung Thaung reported on production of anti-venom from horse blood. Later, the Prime Minister visited the instrumental laboratory and inspected the testing of melamine content in imported milk powder. Deputy factory manager Daw Ohn Yi reported on matters related to testing of melamine content in milk powder. The Prime Minister gave necessary instructions and left there at 3.15 p.m.

Towards more investments in China and ASEAN

Asia is the region that enjoys the fastest economic growth. China has become an economic power in the twenty first century and it can maintain its economic growth. With the rapid growth of exports and imports, China has created a favourable environment for foreign investment. ASEAN is taking effective measures for greater economic cooperation in the region with the objective of forming an ASEAN economic community in 2015. ASEAN region rich in natural and human resources is the one that offers good business opportunities for investors.
Business and Investment Summits between China and ASEAN have been held and thanks to their cooperation, achievements have been made not only in trade and investment sectors but in other economic fields. As Myanmar and the People’s Republic of China carry out tasks on promotion of economic cooperation, trade and investment, annual volume of trade between the two countries is on the increase. Most of the investments are in the sectors of mining, industry, oil and natural gas and electricity. Today the world is facing fuel and food crisis and ways and means are to be sought to exploit new energy resources and to produce energy in the ASEAN region. In the process, efficient cooperation among the nations is vital. As the agriculture sector plays a main role in economic development of most ASEAN nations, exchange of technology and research are necessary for boosting food production. Progress has been made in the efforts to establish Free Trade Area under the cooperation programme between China and ASEAN. Holding the 5th China-ASEAN Business and Investment Summit in Nanning, PRC, will continue to contribute to producing better resultsin trade and investment between ASEAN and China.

Senior General Than Shwe greets Prime Minister General Thein Sein
at Nay Pyi Taw Airport in Nay Pyi Taw.

NAY PYI TAW, 23 Oct—Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Commander- in-Chief of Defence Services Senior General Than Shwe welcomed back Prime Minister
GeneralThein Sein, who had attended the 5th China-ASEAN Expo and the 5th China- ASEAN Business and Investment Summit held in Nanning at the invitation of the Government of the People’s Republic of China, at Nay Pyi Taw Airport at Senior General Than Shwe welcomes back Prime Minister General Thein Sein on his return from PRC 4.30 p.m today. The Prime Minister was also welcomed back at the airport by Vice- Chairman of the SPDC Deputy Commander-in- Chief of Defence Services Commander-in- Chief (Army)Vice-Senior General Maung Aye, SPDC Member General Thura Shwe Mann of the Ministry of Defence, Secretary-
1 of the SPDC Lt-Gen Thiha Thura Tin Aung Myint Oo, SPDC Member Lt-Gen Tin Aye, Commander-in-Chief (Navy) Rear-Admiral Nyan Tun, Commander- in-Chief (Air) Lt-Gen Myat Hein, Lt- Gen Myint Hlaing, Maj-Gen Ohn Myint and Maj-Gen Tha Aye
of the Ministry of Defence, Adjutant-General Maj-Gen Thura Myint Aung, 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, senior military officers, Director- General of the State Peace and Development Council Office Col Kyaw Kyaw Win, heads of department, Charge d’Affaires of the Chinese Embassy to Myanmar Mr Wang Zongying and officials. Maj-Gen Maung Shein of the Ministry of Defence, Minister for National Planning and Economic Development U Soe Tha, Minister for Commerce Brig-Gen Tin Naing Thein, Minister for Mines Brig-Gen Ohn Myint, Minister for Electric Power No. 1 Col Zaw Min, Minister for Transport Maj-Gen Thein Swe, Minister for Communications, Posts and Telegraphs Brig- Gen Thein Zaw, Deputy Minister for Industry-2 Maj-Gen Kyaw Swa Senior General Than Shwe welcomes back Prime Minister General Thein Sein at Nay Pyi Taw Airport in Nay Pyi Taw.MNA Senior General Than Shwe greets Prime Minister General Thein Sein at Nay Pyi Taw Airport in Nay Pyi Taw. MNA Khaing, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs U Maung Myint, Deputy Minister for Electric Power No. 2 Brig-Gen Win Myint, Director- General of the Government Office Col Thant Shin and departmental heads, who accompanied
the Prime Minister, also arrived back on the same flight.

Myanmar takes pride in China’s space walk success Prime Minister General Thein Sein meets Vice-Premier Mr Wang Qishan of PRC

Prime Minister General Thein Sein shakes hands with Chinese Vice-Premier Mr Wang
Qishan at International Convention Center

NAY PYI TAW, 23 Oct—Prime Minister of the Union of Myanmar General Thein Sein and Vice- Premier Mr Wang Qishan of the People’s Republic of China held a discussion at the Nanning International Convention & Exhibition Centre in Nanning of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region at 3.35 p.m on 21 October. It was also attended by Maj-Gen Maung Shein of the Ministry of Defence, Minister for National Planning and Economic Development U Soe Tha, Minister for Commerce Brig-Gen Tin Naing Thein, Minister for Mines Brig-Gen Ohn Myint, Minister for Electric Power No. 1 Col Zaw Min, Minister for Transport Maj-Gen
Thein Swe, Deputy Minister for Industry-2 Maj-Gen Kyaw Swa Khaing, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs U Maung Myint, Deputy Minister for Electric Power No. 2 Brig-Gen Win Myint, Myanmar Ambassador to China U Thein Lwin, Director-General Col Thant Shin of the Government Office and Director-General U Kyaw Kyaw of the Protocol Department under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Vice-Premier of the PRC was accompanied by the Vice-Chairman of the China Political Consultant Conference, Minister of Commerce Mr Chen Deming, Secretary of the Permanent Committee of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region Mr Guo Shengkun, Governor of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region Mr Ma Biao, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr Wu Dawei, Vice Minister of Commerce Mr Gao Hucheng, Head of State Tourism Bureau Mr Sha Qiwei and the Chairman of the China International Trade Promotion
Committee. At the meeting, Prime Minister General Thein Sein said that Myanmar, a member of ASEAN, highly appreciates Chinese leaders organizing the 5th China- ASEAN Expo and the 5th China-ASEAN Business and Investment Summit on a grand scale. He said he conveyed the greetings from Myanmar leaders — Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Senior General Than Shwe, Vice-Chairman Vice- Senior General Maung Aye and SPDC member General Thura Shwe Mann. The Prime Minister continued to say that since he has assumed his duties his first visit to China was in August 2008 to attend the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympic Games that was the grandest ceremony Prime Minister General Thein Sein meets Vice-Premier Mr Wang Qishan of PRC Myanmar takes pride in China’s space walk success in the history of the World Olympic Games. He added
that the leaders of the Union of Myanmar, the government and Myanmar people are pleased with the successful organizing of the opening ceremony and Olympic Games the same as the Chinese leaders, the government and the Chinese people. He said that his presence at the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games reflects further cementing the Myanmar-Chinese friendship that has been flourishing since yore. He noted that another victory of PRC was
the launching of the third spacecraft (Shanzhou-7) on 2 September and the space walk of astronaut for the first time. So, he said that he took pride in the abovementioned success that put on record once more for China as a world super power country. Chinese Premier Mr Wen Jiabao proposed summits for China-ASEAN Expo and Business and Investment in 2003 and the 1st summit for China- ASEAN Trade Expo and Business & Investment was held in 2004.
Nanning in China, has hosted China-ASEAN Expo and 5th China-ASEAN Business & Investment summits every year. Thanks to China-ASEAN expos, the trade volume between China and ASEAN and China and Myanmar has increased, and at the expo and summit
this year, arrangements were made for cooperation between China and ASEAN not only in trade, investment and tourism sectors but also in the information and communication technology and agriculture sectors. Myanmar has participated in Nanning expo every year as from 2004 and it shows Myanmar’s serious attention to economic cooperation between
China and Myanmar. The economic relations between China and ASEAN as well as China and Myanmar would be strengthened. The 5th China-ASEAN Expo and the 5th China- ASEAN Business & Investment Summit will strengthen the economic cooperation between China and ASEAN nations by establishing a free trade zone. In accordance with the motto of 5th China-
ASEAN Expo and 5th China-ASEAN Business & Investment Summit “Broader Vision, Move Action”, efforts for cooperation in various areas are to be stepped up effectively. Regarding the progress in political situation in Myanmar, the new constitution of the country has been ratified as 92.48 per cent of eligible voters totaling over 27 million voted in favour of the
constitution. The country will become a democratic country after holding a multi-party election in 2010. Prime Minister General Thein Sein said he believed that China would continue to support steps for transforming the country into a peaceful and discipline flourishing democratic nation. He said that Myanmar was hit hard by the storm“Nargis” on 2 and 3 May, and it was the worst natural disaster in the Myanmar history. Leaders of China sent messages of sympathy and relief supplies worth 10 million US dollars to Myanmar,
and that was an encouragement to the entire Myanmar people, he said.Now, rescue work has
been completed. The work for helping the storm victims return to normal and for their
long-term development has showed successful to a certain degree, he said. He said that as the
second phase, rehabilitation tasks are being carried out step by step; that durable houses that are better than their houses in the pre-storm period have been provided, and all necessary
measures were taken for the victims to restore their agricultural farming, fishing and salt
farming. Those regions are located in the delta, so they have a large number of rivers and creeks, and are difficult of access; that therefore five roads are under construction for smooth transport; and that cyclone shelters are being constructed, he said. Myanmar supports
One-China Policy and considers Taiwan Island as an inseparable part of China, he said.
He wished Chinese leaders including the Chinese Vice-Premier physical and mental
wellbeing; the People’s Republic of China and Chinese people greater development, China-
Myanmar relations and friendly relations between the two peoples further cemented.
He said that after Chinese Vice-Premier Madam Wu Yi visited Myanmar in 2004, the trade
between the two countries improved remarkably; and many cases the two countries have to deal with, some have been implemented, and some are yet to be implemented. Chinese Vice-Premier Mr Wang Qishan said that in more than 50 years there had been a lot of changes in the international relations, but no changes in the relations between the two countries. He said that the two countries managed to enhance bilateral cooperation in the political sector and bilateral cooperation in the economic and trade sectors
is improving. China appreciates China-Myanmar relations considerably. He believed
bilateral cooperation would continue to improve, he said. China wished Myanmar political
stability, economic growth and reconciliation of ethnic groups, he said. He said that the
Myanmar government and the people alone can address the internal affairs of the nation with selfreliant basis; that the Chinese Government opposes any forms of alien interference in the internal affairs of Myanmar. China is one of Myanmar’s neighbouring countries that favour progress of Myanmar, and China places emphasis on mutual cooperation of the two countries in various sectors, he said. He said that he was pleased to tell the Myanmar Prime Minister that the Chinese government has decided to provide 200 cargo coaches, 20 passenger coaches and five locomotives for Myanmar; and that therefore it is required of respective ministries of the two nations to coordinate as soon as possible. In conclusion, he said that on behalf of the
Chinese government he warmly welcomes the Myanmar delegation led by Prime Minister General Thein Sein to the 5th China-ASEAN Expo and the 5th China-ASEAN Business and InvestmentSummit.
MNA

Senior General Than Shwe sees off Prime Minister on his departure for PRC to attend 5th China-ASEAN Expo, 5th China-ASEAN Business and Investment Summ

Senior General Than Shwe sees off Prime Minister General Thein Sein at Nay Pyi Taw Airport on his departure for
the People’s Republic of China to attend the 5th China-ASEAN Expo and the 5th China-ASEAN Business and Investment Summit.—MNA

NAY PYI TAW, 20 Oct—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 10 a.m today on his departure for the People’s Republic of China to attend the 5th China- ASEAN Expo and the 5th China-ASEAN Business
and Investment Summit to be held in Nanning at the invitation of the Government of the People’s Republic of China. Senior General Than Shwe sees off Prime Minister on his departure for PRC to attend 5th China-ASEAN Expo, 5th China-ASEAN Business and Investment Summit The Prime Minister was also seen off at the airport by Vice-Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Deputy Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services
Commander-in-Chief (Army) Vice-Senior General Maung Aye, member of the State Peace and Development Council General Thura Shwe Mann of the Ministry of Defence, Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Thiha Thura Tin Aung Myint Oo, SPDC member Lt-Gen Tin Aye, Commander- in-Chief (Navy) Rear-Admiral Nyan Tun, Commander-
in-Chief (Air) Lt-Gen Myat Hein, Lt-Gen Myint Hlaing, Lt-Gen Ye Myint, Maj-Gen Ohn Myint, Maj-Gen Ko Ko, Maj-Gen Tha Aye and Adjutant General Maj-Gen Thura Myint Aung of the Ministry of Defence, Commander of Nay Pyi Taw Command Maj-Gen Wai Lwin, Minister for Foreign Affairs U Nyan Win, Deputy Minister for Transport Col Nyan Tun Aung, senior military officers, Director-General Col Kyaw Kyaw Win of the SPDC Office, heads of
department, Charge d’Affaires of the People’s Republic of China to Myanmar Mr Wang
Zongying and officials. The Prime Minister- led delegation comprises Maj-Gen Maung
Shein of the Ministry of Defence, Minister for National Planning and Economic Development
U Soe Tha, Minister for Commerce Brig-Gen Tin Naing Thein, Minister for Mines Brig-Gen Ohn Myint, Minister for Electric Power No. 1 Col Senior General Than Shwe sees off Prime Minister… Zaw Min, Minister for Transport Maj-Gen Thein Swe, Minister
forCommunications, Posts and Telegraphs Brig- Gen Thein Zaw, Deputy Minister for
Industry-2 Maj-Gen Kyaw Swa Khaing, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs U Maung Myint, Deputy Minister for Electric Power No. 2 Brig-Gen Win Myint, Director- General Col Thant Shin of the Government Office and departmentalheads.

Pyapon of Ayeyawady Division rising with renewed vigour

We mediamen recently made a trip to Pyapon inAyeyawady Division to present news about regionaldevelopment and businesses of local people for publicinformation.Along the road to Pyapon, about 17 miles fromDedaye, were thriving paddy fields, some were greenish,
and some, yellowish.Besides agricultural farming, the main business,local people ran livestock farms of pigs, chicken,goat, duck and fish both on a manageable scale andon a commercial scale.
Rehabilitation work in the storm-hit areas iscategorized into three phases. The first phaseofrescue tasks such as fulfillment of three basic needs,health care and evacuation has been completed. Thesecond phase: regeneration of devastated urban areasand villages, restoration of businesses, and repairingtransport facilities, and the third phase: establishment
of storm shelters are in progress. In the process, tasks are being carried out according to the targeted timeframes. Pessimists seem anxious to see storm victims waiting for relief supplies along the roads, and they are not happy with the programmes of rehabilitating the storm-ravaged areas, and restoration of businesses for the victims’ long-term convenience in their basic needs. They have done nothing to relieve the sufferings of the victims, but are resorting to various means to disrupt the tasks the government is implementing to fulfil the requirements of the people. Now, delta dwellers have made a good recovery from the storm thanks to the combined efforts of the government, the people and the Tatmadaw, relief aid provided by national entrepreneurs, and their hard work and unwavering spirit. When asked about progress in carrying out rehabilitation tasks, Chairman of Pyapon District Peace and Development
Council U Mya Kyaing said, “Now, we have restored all the agricultural farms and fishing
in the district, and transport of rice and marine products to Yangon and other townships has returned to normal. We are working hard for the salt farming to return to normal when it is in season. “To restore the agricultural sector, we have distributed 245,725 baskets of paddy seeds of highyield strains, 56,800 gallons of fuel, 320 pieces of power-tillers of Leya-22, Leya-16 and Ayeya-1 brands, 393 buffalos, 130 oxen, and different kinds of fertilizers. And we have provided small loans of 462.6 million kyats to 6946 farmers for 57,825 acres of farmlands. “As a result, 197,761 acres or over 97 per cent of targeted 203,830 acres have been put under monsoon
paddy in the 2008-2009. We are working hard to complete the growing of monsoon paddy in the remaining acres. Now, 23 rice mills of above 15 tons and 182 horlers have resumed their production lines. “We have distributed 1000 fishing boats, 388 engines, and fishing nets and equipment in Pyapon Township. “Victims in the township have been able to restore their businesses. Rehabilitation tasks have showed successful. So, I would say all the urban
areas and villages in Pyapon Township have returned to normal. “The government has provided local farmers with food that is enough till paddy is harvested. So, there is no need to be worried about food in the interval. Paddy will be in season soon.” Farmer Maung Wa Gyi of Kyonku Village in Pyapon said, “I have run my farms since I was 18. Now, I grow Hsinthwelat strain paddy in 10 acres, and Pawhsan strain paddy, in five acres. As you see, paddy plants are now in fruit. Paddy fields did not turn bad as much as we thought. I have received 20 baskets of paddy seeds and 30 gallons of fuel provided by the government. The government also provided
fertilizer, power-tillers, and cattle. Farmers around our village have also got a lot of assistance for their agricultural farming. I have learnt that their paddy fields are thriving.” Pyapon District Assistant Engineer In Charge U Myo Zaw Oo of Pyapon Auto Exchange of the Myanma Posts and Telecommunications said, “Pyapon Auto Exchange has been resumed since 10 am on 6 May. Almost all the phone lines were restored in one month after the storm. Few days ago,
the underground cable cracked and it got some water in it. So, 29 of the 120 phone lines in Pyapon did not work. Some cables were replaced with new ones and some were repaired. Now, all the 750 phone lines in Pyapon Township are in good condition.” We stayed there for the night. We went shopping in the centre of the town that evening. In response to my question, a shop owner said, “The shops here are not as busy as in the pre-storm period because the
government and local and foreign donors have provided the victims with a lot of relief supplies. So, they no longer need to come here to go shopping. Before the storm, they often came here to buy things they needed. So, trade was very good then.” On our way home from Pyapon, we saw many rice mills along the road with their chimneys producing smoke. Now, local people have restored their businesses and started a new life. Pyapon Pawhsanhmwe strain paddy will soon be in season to maintain good reputation for its sweet smell and excellent taste.

Sports Minister opens MHF’s Cup 2008

YANGON, 19 Oct — Chairman of MyanmarOlympic Committee Minister for Sports Brig-Gen
Thura Aye Myint addressed the opening ceremony ofMyanmar Hockey Federation’s Cup 2008 at Theinbyuhockey pitch here at 3 p.m yesterday evening.Present on the occasion were members of MOC,officials of the ministry, President of the WorkingCommittee (Central) of Myanmar Women’s SportsFederation Daw Aye Aye and members, Chairman of
MHF Col Htin Zaw Win and executives.Minister Brig-Gen Thura Aye Myint opened
the competitions. Next, the team of Tatmadaw HockeySports Minister opens MHF’s Cup 2008
Committee and Central Command’s team demonstratedtheir skills in the competition and concluded theceremony.A total of 13 teams are participating in thecompetition, which will last till 3 November.Similarly, Minister Brig-Gen Thura Aye Myintaddressed the opening ceremony of the 8th Inter State/Division Billiard and Snooker Competition at ApexBilliard and Snooker Centre here at 4 pm yesterday.Next, the minister opened the competition.Altogether 10 teams from state and division areparticipating in the competition.—MNA