Information Sheet No. A. 0812 (I)

[OKKAR66129@xxxxxxx]

                                     MYANMAR INFORMATION COMMITTEE
                                                    YANOGN
        
                                            Information    Sheet
                                    No. A. 0812 (I)              21 February
1999

(1)		Thanlwin Bridge (Tasan)  Inaugurated
		The inauguration of Thanlwin Bridge (Tasan ) linking Mongtaung and Mongpan
Township was held at the bridge on 20 February. Thanlwin River Bridge (Tasan),
the 900-foot-long bailey suspension bridge, lies on Mongpang-Mongtung Road
linking Shan State (South) with Shan State (East) and Mongtung and Monghsat
can now be reached from Taunggyi by car in a short time. Due to difficult
access as Thanlwin River divides Shan State, the areas in Shan State (East)
were lagging in development, and special attention is being paid to building
of roads and bridges in that region. In the time of the Tatmadaw (Defence
Services) government, three bridges have been built across thanlwin
River--Takaw-ek Bridge in Shan State (North), Hpa-an Bridge in Kayin State and
Tasan Bridge.  
		Maintenance works are also being carried out to improve Tasan-Mongtung-
Monghsat Road, Takaw-Mongpyin-Kengtung Road, Kengtung-Mongphyat-Tachilek Road,
Kengtung-Mongkhat-Mongyang Road and Mongphyat-Mongyaung Road which are linked
with the bridge in Shan State (East), new roads such as Mongpyin-Monghsat Road
and Monghsat-Mongphyat Road are also being built. Thanlwin Bridge (Tasan) is
900 feet long and 16.5 feet wide, and can bear 36-ton of load. The
construction work of the bridge started on 1 April 1997 and ended on 20
January 1999 at a cost of US$ 1.108 million and K 250 million.
(2)		Coordination Meeting on Y2K Problem Held
		A coordination meeting on Y2K problem was held at the Institute of Computer
Science and Technology in Yangon on 20 February  Y2K problems that may occur
in computers and electronic equipment are being faced in the world. Although
there is no big difficulty in the problem concerning Y2K in Myanmar, there may
be some processes of solving the problem. The National Supervisory Committee
for Y2K Problem was formed led by Minister for Communications, Posts and
Telegraphs with officials of the ministries and computer organization and
holding of seminar on Y2K First Challenge to Millennium. It is needed to solve
some problems about Y2K although Myanmar does not have big computer network.

Chairman of the National Supervisory Committee for Y2K Problem reported on
work done by the National Supervisory Committee. Next, Secretary of the
National Supervisory Committee for Y2K  Problem, Rector of Yangon Institute of
Computer Science and Technology reported on Y2K problem and methods to solve
the problem.  Those present took part in the discussions.
(3)		Tokyo Plastic Pipe Factory, Korea PVC Pipe and Plastic Printing in
Hlinethaya 			Industrial City Inspected
		Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development  Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt 
accompanied by Minister for Science and Technology arrived at Tokyo Plastic
Pipe Factory in Hlinethaya Industrial Zone No.1 in Hlinethaya Township on 20
February. Chairman of Excel Company Limited reported to the Secretary-1 on
establishment of the factory, various kinds of pipe, utilizing of local-made
raw materials and distribution of pipes to local market. The Tokyo Plastic
Pipe Factory of Excel Company Limited produces UPVC pipes, plumbing material,
plastic bag, plastic container and plastic material to be used in water
supply, irrigation and agricultural work. Then the Secretary-1 and party went
to Korea PVC Pipe and Plastic Printing of Shwe Mi Industrial Co Ltd in
Hlinethaya Industrial Zone No. 2.
(4)		Minister Arrives Back from Tour of Four ASEAN Nations
		Minister for Foreign Affairs arrived back from Bangkok on 20 February
evening  after visiting Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Singapore and Thailand
at the invitation of the 
foreign ministers of respective countries. Minister visited Brunei Darussalam
on 16 and 17 February, Indonesia on 17 and 18 February, Singapore on 18 and 19
February and Thailand on 19 to 20 February, and discussed promotion of
friendly, relations, ASEAN affairs and mutual interest with the foreign
ministers of the respective countries. Minister on His Majesty King Sultan
Haji Hassanal Bolkiah in Brunei  darussalam, President of Indonesia Dr. BJ
Habibie, Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong and Senior Minister Lee Kuan Yew of
Singapore  and King to Thailand His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej.
		While in Indonesia, Minister also met Secretary-General of ASEAN Mr Rodolfo
C Severino Jr. In his tour, Minister met ambassadors, military attaches and
staff of the Myanmar embassies in Singapore, Brunei Darussalam and Indonesia,
and gave instructions on the role of diplomatic personnel to be dynamic  and
sharp in implementing the policy of foreign affairs.  On 20 February, Minister
and Foreign Minister of Thailand Dr. Surin Pitsuwan went to Andaman Club in
Thahtay Island from Ranong of Thailand and discussed friendly relations
between the two countries. During his visits to four ASEAN member nations, the
minister met correspondents of Singapore Radio International, Reuters
correspondent based in Singapore and Brunei TV, Indonesia TV and Thai TV.
(5)		Seminar on Micro Credit Systems and Women's Banking Held
		Seminar on Micro Credit  Systems and Women's Banking jointly sponsored by
Myanmar Women Entrepreneurs Association and Hanns Seidel Foundation of Germany
was held at Kandawgyi Palace on 20 February. This seminar is held with the aim
to promote the advancement of women in Myanmar especially in economic

activities.  Myanmar Women constitute more than half of the country's
population. The government recognized the crucial role of women in society and
thus a national machinery namely, the Myanmar National Committee for Women
Affairs was established on 3rd July 1996.  The activities related to the
development of women are now carried out in Myanmar  with added momentum under
the umbrella  of a national level committee for women.
		There are many women social organizations and MWEA is one of the leading
notable organizations. It has held lectures, seminars and workshops to promote
awareness of women's development and raise entrepreneurial and managerial
capabilities of its members as it is evident that women's economic endeavours
can contribute substantially to the country's economy.  The members have also
taken part in enhancing individual and group development or at alleviating
adverse social and economic conditions.  This seminar, specifically aims to
promote women's income generation and development  through micro credit
provision at the grassroots level and improvement of access of business to
formal credit and financial institutions and special financial services. It
has also been reported that one of the recommendations adopted at the First
Myanmar Women's Conference held in December last year is to open a Women's
Bank.  Regional Project Director Mr. Gunter Renner of Hanns Seidel Foundation
delivered a speech. Chairperson of MWEA extended greetings.  Next, Ms.
Doleores Toerres made a speech.  Twenty six participants from MWEA, four from
government organizations, six from non-government organizations and
enthusiasts took part in the discussion. The seminar continues on 21 February.
(6)		Fourth International Heroin Conference to be Held Feb 23 to 26
		Myanmar will host the Fourth International Heroin Conference at the
International Business Centre on Pyay Road from 23 to 26 February with the
sponsorship of INTERPOL.  Myanmar is to host the Conference as the General
Secretary of INTERPOL has invited it stating that Myanmar always gives staunch
support to the INTERPOL's goals and objectives and that it is high time that
the international community became acquainted with the excellent work that is
being carried out in Myanmar against the illicit production and trafficking of
narcotic drugs.  
		About 60 delegates of INTERPOL General Secretary Headquarters, 25 member
countries of INTERPOL including Myanmar, the UNDCP and the UNAIDSAPICT Asia
Pacific Inter Country Team are attending the Conference. The participants will
be discussing matters relating to heroin production and trafficking is South-
East Asia, heroin production and trafficking in South-West Asia,  heroin
production and trafficking in America, European trafficking routes and
organizations, West African  heroin trafficking networks, payment systems for
drug transactions, precursor chemicals, and regional and international
cooperation. They will also witness the 13th destruction of seized narcotic
drugs and make field trips to the opium  cultivation areas where the
government is undertaking tasks for eradication of narcotic drugs.

(7)		Officials of INTERPOL Delegates of Saudi Arabia Arrive
		Officials of INTERPOL and delegates of Saudi Arabia arrived Yangon by air on
20 February to attend the Fourth International Heroin Conference 23-26
February.
(8)		2nd National Sanitation Week to be Conducted 30 March to 5 April
		The Central Committee for the Second National Sanitation Week held its first
coordination meeting at the Medical Research Department on Ziwaka Street on 19
February.  Myanmar received congratulations at the Meeting of Health Ministers
of South-East Asia for her successful activity of the First National
Sanitation Week. Success has been achieved due to efforts of health committees
at different levels in accordance with the health policy of the State and
cooperation and organizational capability of NGO's. This year's activity of
National Sanitation Week will be conducted from 30 March to 5 April. A general
round of discussions on arrangements for the activity then followed.
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