Bangladeshi Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia arrives on official visit to Myanmar
Yangon, 19 March- At the invitation of Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council and Prime Minister of the Union of Myanmar Senior General Than Shwe, a goodwill delegation led by Prime Minister of the People's Republic of Bangladesh Begum Khaleda Zia arrived here this afternoon on an official visit to the Union of Myanmar.
Prime Minister of the People's Republic of Bangladesh Begum Khaleda Zia and members were welcomed by Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council and Prime Minister of the Union of Myanmar Senior General Than Shwe, Vice-Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Vice-Senior General Maung Aye, Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council General Khin Nyunt.
The special aircraft carrying the goodwill delegation led by Prime Minister of the People's Republic of Bangladesh Begum Khaleda Zia touched down at Yangon International Airport at 2 pm. Director-General Thura U Aung Htet and Bangladeshi Ambassador Mr A B Manjoor Rahim boarded the plane and welcomed Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia. The visiting Prime Minister was accorded a 19-gun-salute. A young lady of the University of Culture presented a bouquet to Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia.
Girl students waiting at the airport welcomed the guests waving miniature flags of the two countries and chanting the slogans wishing Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia and Senior General Than Shwe good health and hailing friendship between the two countries.
Senior General Than Shwe greeted visiting Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia. Next, Senior General Than Shwe presented his entourage to the visiting Prime Minister. Senior General Than Shwe and party and the visiting Prime Minister and goodwill delegation members proceeded to the saluting dais. The two Prime Ministers took the salute of the Guard of Honour while the State Band played the national anthems of the two countries.
Senior General Than Shwe and visiting Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia inspected the Guard of Honour.
Senior General Than Shwe and visiting Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia were greeted by Dean of Diplomatic Corps Ambassador of the Republic of France Mr Bernard du Chaffaut and Heads of Diplomatic Missions and Representatives of the UN Agencies.
The visiting Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia together with Senior General Than Shwe and party greeted Ambassador of the People's Republic of Bangladesh Mr A B Manjoor Rahim and wife and embassy staff. Two children from Bangladeshi Embassy presented bouquets to visiting Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia.
The guests, accompanied by Senior General Than Shwe, proceeded to Seinle Kantha State House in a motorcade.
Along the road outside the airport and along the University Avenue up to the entrance to the Seinle Kantha State House, teachers, students, members of the Union Solidarity and Development Association, Women's Affaris Committee, Maternal and Child Welfare Association, Red Cross and Auxiliary Fire Brigades, nurses and the people numbering 7,500 welcomed them waving miniature flags of the two countries and chanting the slogans wishing Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia and Senior General Than Shwe good health and hailing Myanmar-Bangladesh friendship.
Welcoming the visiting Prime Minister and members of the goodwill delegation a signboard was put up at the entrance to the Yangon International Airport welcoming the distinguished guests in both Myanmar and English "Warm Welcome to Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia of the People's Republic of Bangladesh". The welcoming signboards were put up at the airport terminal building, on Pyay Road at the entrance to the airport, at Inyalay and the People's Square and flags of the two countries hoisted along the road from the airport, at the junction of 8th mile, Inyalay, Inya Lake bund, along University Avenue leading to the Seinle Kantha State House, at the junction of Kamayut, Hanthawady Roundabout, U Wisara Roundabout and the People's Square. The visiting Prime Minister and Senior General Than Shwe arrived at the Seinle Kantha State House at 2.40 pm. Senior General Than Shwe cordially greeted Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia and left the State House at 2.55 pm.
Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia was accompanied by Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bangladesh Mr M Morshed Khan, Minister for Communications Barrister Nazmul Huda, Minister for Commerce Mr Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister Dr Kamal Uddin Siddiqui, Director-General of Forces Intelligence Maj-Gen Sadeq Hasan Rumy and other senior officials and businessmen.
Yangon, 19 March - Chairman of State Peace and Development Council Prime Minister Senior General Than Shwe and Prime Minister of the People's Republic of Bangladesh Begum Khaleda Zia met at the hall of Pyithu Hluttaw Building here at 5 pm today.
International Relations
Senior General Than Shwe and wife host dinner in honour of visiting Bangladeshi Prime Minister and delegation members
Yangon, 19 March - Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council and Prime Minister of the Union of Myanmar Senior General Than Shwe and wife Daw Kyaing Kyaing hosted a dinner in honour of visiting Prime Minister of the People's Republic of Bangladesh Begum Khaleda Zia and goodwill delegation members at the reception hall of the Pyithu Hluttaw Building on Pyay Road here at 8 pm today.
First, the State Band played national anthems of the People's Republic of Bangladesh and the Union of Myanmar.
Before and during the dinner, vocalists sang songs to the accompaniment of Myanma Athan modern music band.
After the dinner, at Thabin Hall, the artites of the Fine Arts Department of the Ministry of Culture presented a variety of dances.
After dances, the Bangladeshi Prime Minister presented a basket of flowers to the artistes.
Memorandum of Understanding signed between Myanmar and Bangladesh
Yangon, 19 March - A ceremony to sign memorandum of understanding between the government of the Union of Myanmar and the People's Republic of Bangladesh was held at Pyithu Hluttaw at 6 pm today.
Present on the occasion were Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Prime Minister Senior General Than Shwe and Prime Minister of the People's Republic of Bangladesh Begum Khaleda Zia.
Minister for Commerce Brig-Gen Pyi Sone of the Union of Myanmar and Minister for Commerce of the People's Republic of Bangladesh Mr Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury signed the Memorandum of Understanding on Account Trade Agreement and the Memorandum of Understanding on the Establishment of Joint Trade Commission and exchanged the documents.
Secretary-1 General Khin Nyunt calls on visiting Bangladeshi Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia
Yangon, 19 March - Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council of the Union of Myanmar General Khin Nyunt called on the Bangladeshi goodwill delegation led by visiting Begum Khaleda Zia, Prime Minister of the People's Republic of Bangladesh, at the Seinle Kantha State House here at 4.15 pm today.
Fourth Forum on Regional Economic Cooperation Among Bangladesh, China, India and Myanmar opened
Yangon, 19 March - The opening of the Fourth Forum on Regional Economic Cooperation Among Bangladesh, China, India and Myanmar took place at the Hotel Nikko Royal Lake Ballroom I on Natmauk Street here at 8.30 am today, with an address by Minister for Commerce Brig-Gen Pyi Sone.
In his address, Minister for Commerce Brig-Gen Pyi Sone said that I would like to extend my warmest welcome to all the delegates and wishing you to be blessed with physical and mental health.
This Economic Cooperation Forum was initiated with a view to establishing the important and strategic position of the regional cooperation and development among the member countries.
The regional economic cooperation should be guided by the five principles of peaceful co-existence, with emphasis on equality and mutual benefit, sustainable development, comparative advantages, adoption of international standards and infrastructure development, which are very important for the development of our countries.
Myanmar is a member of various regional organizations such as BIMST-EC, where India and Bangladesh are members and Greater Mekong Sub Region-GMS, where Yunnan Province of the People's Republic of China is a member, together with Myanmar. Besides these, Myanmar is also a member of ASEAN and ASEAN is implementing the establishment of the Free Trade Areas with China and India within a decade with the aim to develop trade and investment.
In this context, when we could finalize the establishment of the ASEAN-China Free Trade Area, which will become the biggest free trade area in the world and when we could complete the ASEAN-India Free Trade Area, which will be the second biggest in the world, the volume of the intra regional trade will gain significant share of the world's total trade.
In the light of these future trends, it is imperative to improve the BCIM's intra regional and bilateral trade. At present, the intra BCIM trade was only about two per cent of the world's total.
Therefore, I would like to urge all the delegates to find ways and means for the promotion of intra regional and bilateral trade.
I have noticed that, today's Forum is going to discuss mainly four sectors, these are Transportation, Tourism, Trade and Institutional Framework. These topics are timely and crucial for the development of our Region. I strongly believe that, the four countries, participating from the respective sectors in this meeting, could be able to find concrete measures for the regional development.
Vice-Governor of Yunnan Province of the PRC Mr Shao Qui Wei made a speech on the occasion. Leader of Bangladeshi delegation Professor Rehman Sobhan and leader of Indian delegation Dr Charan D Wadhva extended greetings.
Then, the ministers, the leaders and delegation members posed for a documentary photo.
Afterwards, the Fourth Forum on Regional Economic Cooperation Among Bangladesh, China, India and Myanmar was held at the Ballroom II at 10 am, attended by leaders and members of the delegations of Myanmar, China, Bangladesh and India.
At the meeting, Director-General U Nay Win of the Border Trade Department under the Ministry of Commerce extended greetings.
Vice Section Director of the Asia Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the PRC Mr An Gang and leader of the Chinese delegation Professor Na Qi of Yunnan Academy of Social Sciences read out the respective reports.
Next, the Bangladeshi delegation presented the paper on "Improving Transport Connectivity and Facilitation Measures"; the Indian delegation, on "Promoting Cooperation in Tourism in the BCIM Forum"; and the Myanmar delegation, on "Regional Trade Relations: Looking Back and Ahead", followed by a general round of discussions.
In the evening, Director-General U Nay Win hosted a dinner to leaders and members of the delegations and observers at the Hotel Nikko Royal Lake.
The forum continues tomorrow.
Workshop for drafting law on mutual legal assistance in criminal matters held
Yangon, 19 March - National Workshop for drafting the law on mutual legal assistance in criminal matters organized by Attorney-General Office was opened at the Grand Plaza Parkroyal on Signals Pagoda Road this morning.
Attorney-General U Tha Tun and Resident Representative of United Nations Office of Drugs and Crime Mr Jean Luc Lemahieu made speeches on the occasion. Directors U Kyaw Sein and U Maydin of Attorney-General office explained the basic require-ments for the law. Represen-tatives of the respective departments took part in the discussions. First day session of the workshop was adjour-ned in the evening. The workshop will continue till 21 March.
Present on the occasion were Minister for Home Affairs Col Tin Hlaing, Minister for Immigration and Population Maj-Gen Sein Htwa, Chief Justice U Aung Toe.
Yangon, 19 March - Arranged by Tour Mandalay Co Ltd, MV Arion cruise liner carrying 222 tourists from France arrived at Nanthida jetty here this afternoon.
The tourists were welcomed there by Deputy Minister for Transport U Pe Than, Managing Director of Myanma Port Authority U Thein Htay, Managing Director of Myanma Hotels and Tourism Service U Htay Aung and officials of ministries concerned and Tour Mandalay Co. They will study Yangon today, and visit Bagan and Bago in groups tomorrow. Altogether 8 luxury cruiseliners have arrived here in this open season, and another cruise liner is due to arrive during the Water Festival in April.
Region
Cash donated to members of Parade Columns
Yangon, 19 March - Hailing the 58th Anniversary Armed Forces Day, cash donations were made for the third time to the members of the parade columns which will take part in the 58th Anniversary Armed Forces Day Parade, at the meeting hall of the Defence Services Museum and Historical Research Institute on Shwedagon Pagoda Road in Dagon Township at 3 pm today.
Chairman of the Leading Committee for Observance of 58th Anniversary Armed Forces Day Member of the State Peace and Development Council Chief of Armed Forces Training Lt-Gen Kyaw Win accepted the donations and spoke words of thanks.
Cash donations made on the occasion were K 10 million by Managing Director U Zaw Win Naing on behalf of Shan Yoe Ma Naga Co Ltd; K 4.5 million by Ngwepinle Livestock Breeding Co Ltd and shareholder companies; K 2.5 million by Myawady Trading Co Ltd and shareholder companies; K 500,000 each by Myanmar Ruby Enterprise Co Ltd and shareholder companies and Imperial Jade Co Ltd and shareholder companies; 5,400 tins of Gloma Shoe Polish worth K 1,008,000 by Maj San Win (Rtd) and Managing Director U Thaung Win of Myanmar Prolux; 10,000 'Arrow' ball-point pens and 6, 000 calendars worth K 2.5 million by U Nyi Nyi San; K 555,000 by KB International Co Ltd; K 500,000 by Offshore Fisheries Entrepreneurs Association (Ahlon); K 300,000 by Myanmar Winery and Distillery Co Ltd; K 150,000 by Chairman of Crab Entrepreneurs Association U Myat Oo; K 150,000 by Crab Industry Supervisory Committee; foreign medicines worth K 200,000 by Managing Director of Network Marketing Co Ltd U Khin Maung Than; K 200,000 by Central Committee of Four Islam Associations; and K 500,000 by entrepreurs of North Okkalapa and Shwe Pauk Kan Industrial Zones.
Lt-Gen Kyaw Win accepted the donations and presented certificates of honour to the wellwishers.
Similarly, U Pyay and Daw May Kyi of Deva Yekkha medical house presented 5,000 sachets of medicine worth K 180,000; Haji U Maung Maung Kyi and Ma Cho (a) Gawbya, K 150, 000; Olma missionary association, K 100,000; Haji U Soe Myint, K 100,000; Haji U Tin Win, K 100,000; Haji U Musa (Taunggyi), K 100,000; and Daw Yin Yin Aye of Young Sister Co Ltd, K 100,000. Lt-Gen Tin Aye accepted the donations and presented certificates of honour to the wellwishers.
Likewise, Myawady Bank Ltd and Maj Soe Naing and Dr San San Myint family each donated K 100,000; U Myint Aung family, 36 cans of brass polish worth K 108,000; Sayagyi U Nyein family, U Saw Mya family and Haji U Min Han, K 50,000 each; and U Myint Aung (Sawbwagyigon), K 40,000. Maj-Gen Myint Swe accepted the donations and presented certificates of honour. In the like manner, cash donations also made were K 70,000 worth of three dozen tonic medicines by Director Zun Maung Maung and family; K 20,000 by U Than Win Aung of Dalla; K 100,000 by U Nan Oo of Gold Key beverages; K 10,000 by Lt-Col Maung Htwe (Rtd); K 50,000 by U Khin Aung; K 100,000 by U Nyein; K 200,000 by Theingi Shweyi Colour Photo Studio; and K 118,440 worth of medicines by Mya Zinyaw medical house. The donations were accepted by Rear-Admiral Soe Thein, who later presented certificates of honour to the wellwishers.
Moreover, Myawady Trading Co Ltd and shareholder companies also donated K 2 million; and U Win Zaw (Construction Materials), Daw Kyin Htwe (Nyeinchanyay & Kaba-kyaw lottery shop), U Aung Lwin (Pyilonchantha lottery shop) and U Tin Htoo (Tha Htoo Aung lottery shop), K 100,000 each. Brig-Gen Than Htay accepted the cash donations and presented certificates of honour to the wellwishers. Afterwards, Maj San Win (Rtd), on behalf of the wellwishers, explained the purpose of the donations.
Booths of Armed Forces Day Exhibition inspected
Yangon, 19 March - Chairman of the Leading Committee for Observance the 58th Anniversary Armed Forces Day member of the State Peace and Development Council Chief of Armed Forces Training Lt-Gen Kyaw Win inspected the Armed Forces Day Exhibition at the Defence Services Museum and Historical Research Institute on Shwedagon Pagoda Road here this morning and gave instructions. Lt-Gen Kyaw Win, inspected the booths for Twelve Objectives of the State, booths of Defence Services (Navy), (Air) and booths of the ministries which are to be staged at the exhibition.
Central Committee for TB Control meets
Yangon, 19 March - The Work Supervision Central Committee for Tuberculosis Control held its 7th Meeting at the meeting hall of the Ministry of Health in Dagon Township this afternoon, with an address by Chairman of WSCC for TB Control Minister for Health Prof Dr Kyaw Myint.
In his speech, the minister said the World Health Organization regarded TB as Global Emergency in 1993.
This year is significant for the health sector of Myanmar. Myanmar has witnessed the disappearance of polio and leprosy this year and proudly made the world known to these achievements. He then called on active participation of authorities at various levels in public health care services.
National TB Eradication Project Manager Deputy Director (TB) Dr Aye Tun reported to the minister on tasks being carried out under the project, followed by general round of discussions.
Jade lots realize over US$ 7.9M
Yangon, 19 March - Patron of the Central Committee for Holding Myanma Gems Emporium Minister for Mines Brig-Gen Ohn Myint arrived at the 40th Myanma Gems Emporium being held at the Myanma Gems Emporium Hall on Kaba Aye Pagoda Road this afternoon.
The minister inspected sales of jade lots through competitive bidding system and then left the emporium.
Altogether 72 jade lots fetched US$ 304,843 from 5 am to 7 pm yesterday. A total of 254 lots of jade worth US$ 1,820,462 were sold yesterday.
Local and foreign gem merchants bought 105 lots of jade at the price of US$ 6,179,005 through tender system and competitive bidding system from 9 am to 5 pm today. Jade lots will be on sale through competitive bidding system tomorrow.
So far, 610 foreign and 438 local gem merchants have arrived at the emporium.
Information tasks inspected in PyinOoLwin
Yangon, 19 March - Deputy Minister for Information Brig-Gen Aung Thein met with officials of township IPRDs in PyinOoLwin District at the District IPRD office in PyinOoLwin, Mandalay Division, yesterday morning.
At the meeting, the deputy minister discussed matters related to information functions.
Then, the deputy minister inspected the TV retransmission station of Myanma Radio and Television in the town and left necessary instructions.
Fire fighting demonstrated in Maubin
Demonstration on fire fighting was demonstrated in Myoma market in Maubin on 2 March. Chairman of Maubin District Peace and Development Council Lt-Col Thein Hlaing, Secretary Maj Chit Myaing, district and township level officials and shopkeepers of the market viewed the fire-extinguishing methods demonstrated by Staff Officer U Aung Zin and members of the fire brigade.
New building opened in Pyawbwelay BEMS
A new school building donated by Mr Yoshi-nori Inada of Osaka, Japan, was opened in Pyawbwelay Village, Shwesitthi Village-tract, Meiktila Township, on 1 March. The wellwisher and the township education officer opened the new school building by cutting a ribbon. Headmistress Daw Thet Thet Hla and townselder U Aung Myaing thanked the wellwisher.
Outstanding IPRD offices honoured
Thayet District Information and Public Relations Department and township IPRD offices in Aunglan, Mindon, Kanma, Minhla and Thayet, which won sixteen outstanding prizes in the 12th anniversary of the department were honoured by district authorities at the District Peace and Development Council Office on 21February, Secretary of Thayet District PDC Maj Aung Hla praised the district and township offices and presented a certificate of honour to the head of district IPRD.
BEMS (Branch) opened in Ywamon
Basic Education Middle School (Branch) of Ywamon Village in Natmauk Township, Magway Division, was opened 2 March at the school. Chairman of Natmauk Township Peace and Development Council U Myint Maung made a speech to mark the opening of the school. Afterwards, Township Education Officer U Thaung Swe formally opened the school.
Literary talks in Lashio
Talks on literature in Lashio City Hall on 12 January won the applause of students, bookworms and local people. Writers, U Myo Thant (Maung Hsu Shin), Lt-Col Ohn Maung (Rtd) (Myinmu Maung Naing Moe), U Myint Kywe (Maung Myint Kywe) and U Hlaing Kywe (Cartoon Maung Wunna) of Myanmar Writers and Journalists Association were speakers.
Paving of West Yoma Road inspected
Director-General of the Development Affairs Department under the Ministry of Progress of Border Areas and National Races and Development Affairs Col Myo Myint inspected paving of West Yoma road (from Sagaing to Ngazinyine Village section) with gravel in TadaU Township, Mandalay Division on 9 March. He urged the officials to meet the set standard and timely completion. West Yoma road is 84 miles and 2 furlongs long from Einmanatchaung in Natmauk to TadaU.
Drinking water supply in Taze
Hand-pump well, sunk by Taze Township Development Affairs Committee at a cost of K 83,925, was opened on 26 February in Nyantha Village in Taze Township and Township Peace and Development Council Chairman U Par Gyi and Executive Officer of township DAC formally opened it.
Now, the primary school and the village get sufficient fresh water. A total of 13 wells-three tube-wells and 10 hand-pumps-have been sunk to supply drinking water during 2002-2003 fiscal year.
Myanmar trounces Indonesia 5-0 in ASEAN U-14 soccer tourney
Yangon, 19 March - The ASEAN Youth U-14 Championship 2003 Thailand continued in Bangkok, Thailand, at 4.45 pm local time today.
In Group (A), Myanmar beat Indonesia 5-0. Myanmar has six points in two games. Myanmar will be in action against Cambodia tomorrow.
25th ISD Golf Tourney continues
