A challenging quest to recite 8000 pages of text: ABOUT 220 monks are sitting an examination to test their knowledge of the thousands of pages that comprise the Tipitaka, or Theravada Buddhist canon.The Tipitaka, also known as the Triple Gem or the Three Baskets, is written in Pali, an ancient Indian language, and comprises more than 8000 pages... Home buyers look to banking sector for revival of property market: INCREASED bank lending to homebuyers is a critical factor in reviving the property sector in 2004, developers and sources in the banking sector said last week.Many of the smaller banks in Myanmar are seeing increased deposits compared to January 2003... Reinvention of ASEAN now the key, says diplomat: SINGAPORE ? The Association of Southeast Asian Nations must reinvent itself and be more flexible in dealing with member nations? internal problems if it is to remain relevant, a regional diplomat said last Wednesday... Asian market provides lifeline for leading hotels in Yangon: LEADING hotels in Yangon report that a strong Asian market has helped keep occupancy rates from dipping dramatically this tourist season despite the war on Iraq and concerns about SARS... Animal disease campaign to be expanded: MYANMAR will receive assistance from Thailand and Malaysia to accelerate a campaign aimed at eradicating foot and mouth disease, an official with the Livestock Breeding and Veterinary Department said last week... CGA prepares for 50th anniversary celebrations: THE Myanmar Commerce Graduates? Association celebrates its 50th anniversary on January 17 with a series of activities at MICT Park, including a business seminar and a panel discussion... Bkk pushes for increase in ASEM membership: THE Thai Foreign Minister, Mr Surakiart Sathirathai, has urged Vietnam to support the entry of Myanmar, Laos and Cambodia into the Asian Europe Meeting, or ASEM, forum, which brings together East Asian states and members of the European Union... Computer group to introduce two new courses: TWO new courses introduced by the Myanmar Computer Federation in collaboration with the Japanese-based Association for Overseas Technical Scholarship begin in Yangon next month... Advertising awareness lacking: Crab Advertising Company managing director U Mg Mg Myint said that although 80 per cent of Yangon businesses advertise, the advertising industry is concerned that Myanmar is behind the rest of the region in utilising promotional techniques to their full potential... Internet access to benefit rural trade: A SCHEME placing personal computers in rural villages allowing direct commodity trading that has brought internet access to millions of farmers in India is being discussed as a possibility for Myanmar, information technology experts said last week... Businesses learn to capitalise on Christmas: YANGON?S shopping malls and super markets have learnt to market the Christmas and New Year period as a means of boosting their sales, industry sources last week.