Malaysian Prime Minister visits ‘We?ll encourage you?: MYANMAR and Malaysia agreed during a working visit by Malaysia?s new Prime Minister, Dato? Seri Abdullah bin Haji Ahmad Badawi, to Yangon last Friday to form a joint commission aimed at strengthening bilateral relations, a senior Malaysian official said... Thinking Aloud talks to Daw Khin Myint Myint, president of the Myanmar Women Entrepreneurs? Association and Former Ms Myanmar 1961... Liberalised air routes, road links to give BIMST a boost: MYANMAR and five other members of the Bangladesh, India, Myanmar, Sri Lanka and Thailand economic cooperation grouping signed a framework agreement that will pave the way for free trade among member nations in the next 15 years... UNICEF highlights need for quality education in East Asia Speaking at a regional workshop attended by 44 delegates from 10 countries, Ms Mehr Khan stressed UNICEF?s commitment to quality instruction and the need to help more children make the transition from primary to secondary education... No Myanmar-NK ties: government: THE government last week rejected a statement by an aide to US Senator Mr Richard Lugar concerning the possible transfer of nuclear technology and missiles to Myanmar by North Korea... How crazy is your night life? Sheer excitement for winning artists; ‘All I did was give a little money?; INSIDE THIS WEEK-- AUTO 2004; INDIA SHOW Businesses increase reliance on trade fairs: MYANMAR businesses are increasingly using trade fairs and quality packaging as effective means of market penetration, according to a survey conducted by Myanmar Times at the Yangon Trade Centre.Business people say that trade fairs enable them to meet potential customers and explain or demonstrate their products at length... Report will assess state of Myanmar agriculture: THE final report for the government?s Agricultural Review Project is expected to be completed by the end of March, said U Than Htay, a director at the Department of Agricultural Planning.Work on the six-month review was completed in January... Post-graduate student numbers rise sharply: ENROLMENTS in post-graduate studies at Yangon University have risen about 16 per cent this year over the figure for 2003, the head of its student affairs department, U Minh Oo, said in early February.?Last year we had about 5000 post-graduate students and this year we have about 6000,” said U Minh Oo... Project restores mangrove forests: A NEW project to regenerate mangrove forests in the Ayeyarwaddy region will be jointly launched by the Forest Resource Environment Development and Conservation Association of Myanmar (FREDA), and the Action for Mangrove Reforestation of Japan this month, said a leading Myanmar conservationist... Yangon?s ports expanding: Myanmar?s future prosperity will be greatly dependant on the development of shipping ports and shipping facilities to ensure speedy and regular freight handling.Historically, Yangon was founded as a port town. In 1755 when King Ahlaung-Min-Ta-Yar arrived in Dagon, he renamed the city Yangon, establishing it as a mian port city of Myanmar... Direct Myanmar-Bangladesh shipping route may resume: The Chittagong-Yangon shipping service operated by the Singapore-based Orient Express Lines plans to resume the route as the export season for Myanmar beans and pulses approaches, Dr Pyone Pyone Han, the Yangon representative for the shipping line, said... Adequate design software vital, says building sector: WITH an increase in high-rise development in Myanmar, particularly in Yangon, sources in the construction industry last week highlighted the need for adequate design technology. Earthquake and wind resistance are a crucial aspect of high-rise design, a reality which demands the use of appropriate design programs, experts said.