YANGON, 2 Sept - Prime Minister General Khin Nyunt and party this morning attended the stake driving and cornerstone laying ceremony for reconstruction of Bagan golden palace of King Anawrahta in Bagan archeological zone in NyaungU Township, Mandalay Division.

Afterwards, the Prime Minister and party, together with Mandalay Division Peace and Development Council Chairman Central Command Commander Maj-Gen Ye Myint, went to Magway by helicopter. They were welcomed by Commander of No 88 Light Infantry Division Brig-Gen Tin Latt and departmental officials. Next, the Prime Minister and party arrived at construction site of teaching hospital of Magway Institute of Medicine.

First, Managing Director of the Myanma Industrial Construction Services U Ye Tun reported on data of the teaching hospital construction, and progress of work for main building construction and others. Next, Deputy Minister for Health Dr Mya Oo, Director-General of the Medical Science Department Dr Maung Maung Wint also reported on medical treatment of Magway People's Hospital and teaching and administration work of the Magway Institute of Medicine.

Afterwards, the Prime Minister gave necessary instructions and inspected construction of lecture hall-1.

Next, General Khin Nyunt and party went to Magway Institute of Medicine where they were welcomed by rector, professors, lecturers and assistant lecturers.

First, Rector Dr Than Myint reported on location and area of the institute, construction of gateway, teaching halls, buildings and other construction tasks, organization set-up, teaching programme, giving lecture on medicine using modern techniques, extension of ICT development & library development tasks, greening tasks and transportation.

Next, the Prime Minister made an address. In his address, he said that in addition to the 200-bed hospital in Magway and the 100-bed hospital in Minbu, the 200-bed teaching hospital will soon emerge in Magway together with Magway Institute of Medicine. That is why the people in Magway will have to enjoy more fruits of health care services.

Likewise, more opportunities for practical work for students of the institute have been created. Usually there are only 12 specialist centres in the 200-bed hospital but there will be 17 specialist centres in the 200-bed teaching hospital for enabling the students to have experiences in treatment and diagnosis.

In addition to two institutes of medicine in Yangon and one in Mandalay, another institute of medicine was opened in Magway. To be on a par with those of Yangon and Mandalay, the Magway Institute of Medicine will be completed with facilities for teaching and learning, medical treatment and disease diagnosis.

Keeping pace with changes in the world, the internet and intranet had been linked to the institute. Arrangements are being made for the institute to be able to hold teleconferencing with those at home and abroad.

The government has been making all-out efforts to enhance the health care services for the entire national people and to boost the quality of health care services. In the process, it is still needed to produce more doctors for health care services for 52 million people. Especially, more doctors are required in border areas and rural regions.

To meet the demand of doctors in the country more institutes of medicine and teaching hospitals were opened across the nation. To ensure the emergence of a modern and developed nation, fitness of the people as well as higher education standards of the people are required.

Only when intellectuals and intelligentsia are produced sufficiently, can they fully serve the interests of the people and the State. Only the intellectuals and intelligentsia can make efforts with goodwill for development of the State, thereby contributing to realizing the national goal.

At present there is no one to rely on except the national people for national development. Especially, the powers with the intention of dominating the nation and of landing the people in miserable conditions imposed economic sanctions on the latter for political reasons. They also did so with the intention of landing the nation in servitude.

The strength of the nation lies within. With this concept, the government has laid down work programmes for the emergence of a peaceful modern developed democratic nation that corresponds with the people, culture and traditions.

Systematic measures will have to be taken to the most possible degree for the national interest in accord with time and situation.

If intellectuals and intelligentsia, national entrepreneurs and the people make concerted and collective efforts, the national goalwill be achieved.

In accomplishing the national goal, officials of respective sectors are to make efforts dutifully. Faculty members should educate the students equipped with correct sense of serving the interests of the State and the people.

Only then, will outstanding persons who would serve the interests of the State and the people emerge. Therefore, the faculty are to train and nurture the students to be imbued with the spirit of national unity and Union Spirit.

The General and party viewed the study of the students at physiological experimental rooms of Magway Institute of Medicine.

The General and party arrived at the University of Community Health, where they were welcomed by Rector Dr Soe Naung, deans and faculty members.

The rector reported on background history, location and area of the university, construction tasks being carried out, objectives of academic tasks, strength of academic departments and staff and students, strength of medical staff produced by the university, sectors of rural development tasks and community health staff, opportunities for advancement of the staff, academic matters, holding paper reading sessions, holding talks with medical staff, giving lectures to the students with the use of modern pedagogical aids, the linking of internet, establishing of an e-library, conducting talks and seminars, providing transportation services to the students, and tasks for greening and beautifying the university and its environs. Deputy Minister for Health Dr Mya Oo and Chairman Col Zaw Min gave supplementary reports.

The General gave instructions, saying that the community health university nurturing and producing health staff including assistant medical officers plays a vital role in community health care services. Particularly, it plays a key role in successful implementation of the five rural development tasks in conformity with the guidance of the Head of State.

In providing better health care services to rural people, it is needed to produce many assistant medical officers in addition to midwives and nurses.

In the process, with a view to producing more community health personnel including health assistant and to creating better opportunities for them, the Government has upgraded the health assistant training school to the institute of community health and then to the University of Community Health.

So, it can also be said that the university helps implement the rural development project being undertaken by the State.

In conclusion, General Khin Nyunt called on respective officials to collectively contribute towards the tasks on training and nurturing the students with full capacity in order to accomplish the aims of university and to ensure higher living standard of the community health staff including health assistants.

The General and party visited Abhidhaja Mawgun Beikman of Maha Withutayama Monastery in Magway. They presented robes, rice and offertories to Secretary of the State Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee Abhidhaja Maha Rattha Guru Abhidhaja Agga Maha Saddhamma Jotika Magway Sayadaw Bhaddanta Kumara and members of the Sangha.

The Prime Minister and party arrived at Magway University, where they were welcomed by Director-General of Higher Education Department (Upper Myanmar) Dr Thein Myint, Pro-rector U Tin Maung Oo, professors and faculty members.

Director-General Dr Thein Myint reported on background history of the university, courses conducted, under -and-post-graduate courses, strength of students, courses of Human Resource Development Department, IT centre rooms, construction and service personnel affairs.

Minister for Education U Than Aung gave a supplementary report.

The Prime Minister gave instructions. He said the government provides necessary assistance for development of Magway as a big city and Magway region has become developed gradually. Now Ayeyawady River Bridge and a new airport have emerged in the region.

The 24 special development region projects were designated in states and divisions and development tasks are being carried out in accord with the guidance of Head of State Senior General Than Shwe. Magway region is one of the 24 special development region projects, he said. He said Magway has become a region that produces intellectuals and intelligentsia. Producing intellectuals and intelligentsia in the region and making arrangements for students to continue their pursuit of higher education in the region are in accord with one of the educational policies of the State, he said.

Universities and colleges were built in various parts of the country in accord with the educational policy. There are now 154 universities and colleges and nearly 900,000 students are learning at those universities and colleges, he said. He said educational opportunities for students have flourished and post-graduate diploma courses and Ph.D courses are being conducted with the aim of increasing number of faculty members.

He said the government understands that faculty members are discharging more duties as the government is not able to fully appoint the required numbers of faculty members at the universities and colleges.

He urged the faculty members to work hard, after accepting the fact that they are fulfilling the educational requirements of the students.

In building a modern developed nation a great deal of intellectuals and intelligentsia are required. The government nurtures the spirit and knowledge of the students that can bring about the interest of the State and the people. He urged the faculty members to train the students for realization of targets of the State. The Prime Minister and party arrived back here in the evening.

YANGON, 2 Sept - Prime Minister General Khin Nyunt, the ministers, Chief of Staff (Navy), the deputy ministers, officials of the State Peace and Development Council Office, heads of departments and officials left here by air and arrived at Bagan NyaungU airport at 8.15 am this morning.

The Prime Minister and party were welcomed there by member of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Ye Myint, Chairman of Mandalay Division Peace and Development Council Commander of Central Command Maj-Gen Ye Myint, Minister for Culture Maj-Gen Kyi Aung, Chairman of Magway Division Peace and Development Council Col Zaw Min and officials.

The Prime Minister and party went to the site for construction of golden palace in old Bagan in Bagan archaeological region. A ceremony to drive stakes and lay cornerstone for reconstruction of the Arima-danapura Bagan golden palace of Maharazathiri Aniru-dadeva King Anawrahta was held at the site.

Present were Lt-Gen Ye Myint, Commander Maj-Gen Ye Myint, the ministers, Chief of Staff (Navy), the deputy ministers, officials of the State Peace and Development Council Office, Chairman Col Zaw Min, Myanmar historians, local authorities, members of social organizations, Chairman of Htoo Trading Co Ltd U Teza, officials and guests.

Lt-Gen Ye Myint, Maj-Gen Ye Myint and the ministers drove stakes into the designated places and sprinkled scented water on them. A ceremony to lay cornerstone for construction of Bagan golden palace was held.

At the auspicious time, the prime minister drove a stake and put the golden casket in the foundation. Next, the prime minister, Lt-Gen Ye Myint, Commander Maj-Gen Ye Myint and the ministers laid the foundations at the designated places. The Prime Minister put the bronze inscription in the foundation. They sprinkled scented water on it.

Taingya U Than Hla recited the religious verses. The Prime Minister poured oil into the oil pot at the four corners of the palace.

The Prime Minister performed rituals of golden and silver showers to mark the success of the ceremony.

At the briefing hall, Minister for Culture Maj-Gen Kyi Aung, Myanmar experts, U Teza of Htoo Trading Co Ltd, reported on historical back ground of the place, architectural design and arrangements for Myanma artistic work. The Prime Minister gave instructions on traditions of Myanmar people and Buddhist culture.

Chairman U Te Za and engineers reported on Nanmyint Towers, engineering work. The Prime Minister gave instructions on durability and preparation for enjoyment of ancient culture.

YANGON, 2 Sept - Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Soe Win and Secretary-2 Lt-Gen Thein Sein met officials of the Yangon City Development Committee at the meeting hall No 4 of the YCDC here this afternoon.

Also present on the occasion were YCDC Chairman Yangon Mayor Brig-Gen Aung Thein Lin, Vice-Mayor Col Maung Pa, officials of the State Peace and Development Council Office, YCDC Secretary Col Myint Aung, Joint-Secretary U Kyi Win and members, heads of departments, deputy heads and those in-charge of agriculture and livestock breeding farms.

At the meeting, the mayor reported on organizational set-up of the YCDC, location of 11 agriculture and livestock breeding farms being undertaken by the YCDC, investments, cultivation of monsoon and summer paddy, beans and pulses, sesamum, maize and vegetables, planting of perennial and seasonal trees, breeding of layers, broilers, pigs, fish, fresh water prawn and ducks, incomes, distribution of meat, fish and eggs to people at reasonable prices, and annual financial statements of the YCDC.

The vice-mayor also presented reports, saying that the YCDC staff have been striving for upgrading Yangon City to reach the international level. He added that the 20 departments of the YCDC are contributing towards the projects sector-wise.

Regarding the reports, the Secretary-1 said that in 1958, Yangon City had an area of 32 square miles with a population of only over 700,000 people. Now, the city has been expanded to the one made up of 33 townships with an area of 266 square miles and a population of nearly six million people.

With the growing population in Yangon City, there was over 700,000 tons of garbage around 1988, and now there has been an increase in waste materials reaching up to over 1.3 million tons, he added.

The projects are being implemented in line with the guidance of the Head of State for upgrading Yangon City to a modern city possessing the characteristics of an international level city. In doing so, innovative measures are to be taken systematically, he noted.

The YCDC is endeavouring to increase its income by not only collecting taxes but also running 11 agriculture and livestock breeding farms and simultaneously to contribute towards the tasks for food sufficiency.

In implementing ongoing projects for building up a modern Yangon City, the mayor, the vice-mayor and staff at different levels are to take measures for achieving greater success based on the good foundations laid down by the predecessors.

In the process, in order to enhance the prestige and integrity of the YCDC, respective officials are to supervise the tasks so as to speed up the development momentum and ensure minimizing of loss and wastage.

The YCDC staff have to directly deal with the people and paying attention to the people's voice, the staff are to take remedial measures if necessary, he said.

And the staff at different levels are to cultivate spiritual development so that they can refrain from being disrespectful to the people, discharge duties well and minimize undisciplined activities and mistakes.

Next, the Secretary-2 made a speech. He said that tasks being carried out by YCDC are massive and enormous. The Yangon City has now made a significant progress owing to strenuous and relentless efforts in accord with the guidance of the Head of State.

Still, there are a lot of work left to be done for modernizing Yangon City, when compared with the cities of other developing countries.

Keeping pace with changes, continued efforts are to be made for development of Yangon City, and should not be complacent with the current achievement. Innovative idea will have to be produced for work progress, he noted.

The YCDC has to depend on its funds. That is why production formed by YCDC is required to make progress, and tax will have to be levied properly.

Not only did the YCDC staff need to organize the public but also they will have to show their work efficiency in order to gain the public participation in development affairs tasks.

Although there have been financial constraints progress will have to be made through concerted efforts, he stressed. At Ministry of Rail Transportation , the Secretary-1 and the Secretary-2 met with Minister for Rail Transportation Maj-Gen Aung Min, Deputy Ministers Thura U Thaung Lwin and U Pe Than, the heads of department and officials under the ministry.

First, Minister Maj-Gen Aung Min reported to the Secretary-1 and the Secretary-2 on the main tasks of the ministry, five departments and tasks of the departments, work being carried out for Pon Creek bridge construction project, Ye River crossing bridge construction project, Pontaung Ponnya Tunnel construction project, Saikkhaung-Nansam railroad construction project, Mandalay Station construction project, construction of approach structure for Thanlwin bridge (Mawlamyine), and Yangon-Mandalay railroad section upgrading project.

Next, Director-General of Transport Planning Department U Kaw Hsan reported on the history of the TPD, the objectives, the strength of staff and organizational set-up, expenditures and increased income, and measures taken by the committees at different levels for public convenience in traveling. Next, Managing Director of Myanma Railways U Min Swe reported to the Secretary-1 and the Secretary-2 on objectives and tasks of the MR, the strength of staff and organizational set-up, work being carried out by the MR state and division-wise, miles of railroads of the MR, bridges large and small and railway stations before 1988 and 31 March 2003, projects being implemented by the MR, current locomotives, coaches and wagons, requirement of coaches, wagons and locomotives.

Afterwards, Secretary-1 Lt-Gen Soe Win made a speech. He said that the Head of State himself inspected Myitnge factory, Ywahtaung factory and Insein factory, giving guidance and fulfilling the needs for enhancing the work efficiency of the rail transportation.

Accepting the guidance, earnest efforts are to be made for boosting the work efficiency of the whole ministry, applying work experiences and skills fully. The government, on its part, will provide necessary assistance, he pointed out.

Next, Secretary-2 Lt-Gen Thein Sein made a speech. He said that measures will have to be taken for boosting production to ensure economic development. The Ministry of Rail Transportation plays an important role in transporting products to the consumers and markets.

Progress has been made in the respective sectors of the ministry due to concerted efforts of staff at different levels under the ministry, he noted.

Better transport contributes not only to development of economy of the State but also to strengthening Union Sprit among the national races by having close contact between one another. That is why the staff under the ministry are to make efforts for ensuring better transport, thereby contributing to security and convenience of the public.

Lt-Gen Ye Myint looks into regional development tasks, river water pumping projects, growing of monsoon paddy

YANGON, 2 Sept - State Peace and Development Council member Lt-Gen Ye Myint, accompanied by Sagaing Division Peace and Development Council Chairman North-West Command Commander Maj-Gen Tha Aye, Division Peace and Development Council Secretary Lt-Col Ye Htut, officials from the State Peace and Development Council Office and departmental officials, military officers and members of the division and district Agriculture Supervisory Committees, yesterday morning visited the project site of Monywa Airport and Chindwin river water pumping project.

Lt-Gen Ye Myint and party arrived at Indaw river water pumping project in Budalin Township, Sagaing Division, where he inspected completion in digging of the main canal and installation of pipes. At the briefing hall, the minister heard a report presented by Assistant Director U Ni Ni of Water Resource Utilization Department on completion of tasks for supplying of water to 10,000 acres of land and digging of the 22,050 feet long main canal and four tertiary canals, 30 field channels out of 50 and arrival of machinery and future tasks. Director U Aung Kyaing of the WRUD then presented a supplementary report.

After leaving necessary instructions there, Lt-Gen Ye Myint and party went down the Chindwin River and arrived at Nyaungbingyi river water pumping project near Kyaukmyet Village in Salingyi Township, Monywa District, Sagaing Division, at 9 am.

Lt-Gen Ye Myint and party inspected the main canal and the still basin there. At the briefing hall, Deputy Director U Khin Zaw of the WRUD reported on tasks being carried out and future tasks. Sagaing Division Manager U Thin Aung of MAS briefed on growing of 1,000 acres of paddy, 3,000 acres of cotton, 3,000 acres of pulses and beans and 3,000 acres of edible oil crops with the use of pumped river water. After giving necessary instructions there, Lt-Gen Ye Myint and party proceeded to Ngwetha dam project to the west of Ngwetha Village in Salingyi Township at 10.30 am. Sagaing Division Irrigation Department Assistant Director U Yin reported on completion of construction tasks. Lt-Gen Ye Myint, the commander and party inspected construction tasks, the current of the creek across which the dam is being built and its environs, the spillway and gave instructions.

Afterwards, Lt-Gen Ye Myint, the commander and party arrived at Pakokku at 1 pm. At Yedagun Hall of Pakokku Station, Lt-Gen Ye Myint met officers and other ranks and their families of the station.

Present on the occasion were Brig-Gen Khin Maung Tun of the station and senior military officers, officers and other ranks and their families. Lt-Gen Ye Myint, Commander Maj-Gen Tha Aye made speeches. Lt-Gen Ye Myint, the commander and party inspected hostels, plantations and building of the station.

They next proceeded to Nikaya Aungmingala Shwe Kyaung of Hsugyipan Kyaungtaik in Pakokku welcomed them. At Hsugyipan Kyaungtaik, Lt-Gen Ye Myint and party paid obeisance to State Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee member Agga Maha Pandita Bhaddanta Vijara, Presiding Sayadaw of Pakokku Maha Visuddha Rama Taik Bhaddanta Sumangala and Hsugyipan Kyaungtaik Sayadaw Bhaddanta Agga Dhamma and presented offertories to the Sayadaws.

Lt-Gen Ye Myint inspected water supplying tank on Hsugyipan Hill and viewed the lush and green Pakokku from Myasein Taung.

Lt-Gen Ye Myint, the commander and party were reported by Project Director U Aung Win on the Pakokku Textile and Garment Plant Project at the hall of the plant in Pakokku. They visited the plant and inspected construction of main building there.

They arrived at Kyawzi river water pumping project in Taungtha Township in Myingyan District, Mandalay Division, where they were welcomed by Mandalay Division Peace and Development Council Chairman Commander of Central Command Maj-Gen Ye Myint, Magway Division Peace and Development Council Chairman Col Zaw Min, Myingyan District Chairman Lt-Col Win Myint, NyaungU District Peace and Development Council Chairman Lt-Col Khin Maung Oo and officials.

At the briefing hall of Kyawzi river water pumping project, Lt-Gen Ye Myint was reported by Assistant Director U Aung Win Hlaing of the WRUD on future tasks and growing of 1,158 acres of paddy with the use of pumped water out of 4,000 acres and condition for growing of 3,235 acres of paddy in September. Central Command Commander Maj-Gen Ye Myint presented a supplementary report.

After fulfilling the requirements, Lt-Gen Ye Myint, the commander and party inspected the main canal of the project and growing of monsoon paddy along the Myingyan-NyaungU road. They viewed 812 acres of thriving monsoon paddy fields near mile post no 15/4 on the road. They arrived at Bagan-NyaungU at 5 pm.

YANGON, 2 Sept - Member of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Maung Than of the Ministry of Defence met departmental officials and members of social organizations and gave instructions on regional development and enforcement of law and order at Naungyoe Hall in Myaungmya District on yesterday morning.

Present on the occasion were Ayeyawady Division Peace and Development Council Chairman South-West Command Commander Maj-Gen Soe Naing, division-level departmental personnel, local authorities, and officials.

On the occasion, Lt-Gen Khin Maung Than heard reports on agriculture and livestock breeding industries, implementation of the five rural development tasks, and regional development tasks.

Next, Commander Maj-Gen Soe Naing extended greetings. Speaking on the occasion, Lt-Gen Khin Maung Than said Ayeyawady Division is a region mainly supporting the economic development of the State. In like manner, Myaungmya District is also reinforcing the economic growth of Ayeyawady Division.

According to the reports, it is learnt that 994,395 acres of monsoon paddy have been placed under cultivation against the targeted 996,560 acres of monsoon paddy in Myaungmya District. Therefore, encouragement is to be given to exceed the target.

Of the ten major crops, arrangements are to be made to exceed the set targets of per acre yield for such crops as summer paddy, groundnut, sesame, sunflower, gram, pedisein, pigeon peas, and maize, all of which are thriving in the district. Moreover, pepper plants, one of the new three varieties of crops, should be grown in the district as the region possesses favourable conditions for cultivation of pepper plants. The cultivation of perennial crops such as rubber and jute should also be carried out on an extensive scale. Likewise, as the fisheries sector is important for the region, steps are to be taken to increase the amount of fish-pond acreage from 80,000 to 100,000 in the division in 2004-2005, without affecting the existing cultivable land. Now that poultry farming is booming in the division, measures are to be taken to boost the production of duck and duck eggs.

Later, he urged the local people and social organizations to make concerted efforts in cooperation with departmental authorities to modernize and beautify the towns, villages and wards and ensure the enforcement of law and order with the sense of duty, while running agricultural and livestock breeding businesses in the region. Afterwards, Lt-Gen Khin Maung Than cordially greeted departmental officials and members of social organizations present at the get-together.

Next, Lt-Gen Khin Maung Than and party went to the 400-acre monsoon paddy special zone of Kyonwa village-tract in Myaungmya Township, where they met local farmers and gave instructions on the undertakings of agricultural work with the employment of four methods to obtain the targeted yield. At the 400-acre model paddy cultivation site, Lt-Gen Khin Maung Than heard reports on the trial cultivation of hybrid paddy, trial paddy fields fed with fertilizers, and gave instructions on boosting the crop yields by following the agricultural techniques. Up to 30 August 2003, a total of 196,812 acres of land had been put under cultivation of monsoon paddy in the township, against 196,574 acres targeted to grow this year. After inspecting the monsoon paddy plantations on both sides of Myaungmya-Einme-Daka motor road, Lt-Gen Khin Maung Than and party left for Yekyi, and arrived there at 12.30 pm.

Next, they also went to the Kun Creek-2 dam project near Tatkon village in Kyangin Township, Hinthada District. At the briefing hall of the project, officials reported on tasks being implemented at the project, the use of machinery, supply of construction materials, and construction of the main dam, the conduit pipe, and the spillway. After hearing the reports, Lt-Gen Khin Maung Than gave instructions on timely completion of the project, worksite safety, and cooperation with officials concerned.

The Kun Creek-2 dam project is of earthen type, with 16,720 feet in length and 135 feet in height, and its water storage capacity to full brim is 100,000 acre-feet. Approximately 70 per cent of the construction work at the project have been completed, and arrangements have also been made to supply water to summer paddy fields in this coming September and to accomplish it before March 2004.

They also went to the Ma Mya dam project near Hmyinwataung village on Pathein-Monywa motor road in Myanaung Township. At the briefing hall of the project, Lt-Gen Khin Maung Than heard reports on construction of the dam, the conduit pipe and the spillway, and availability of fuel oil. The commander also gave additional reports. Later, Lt-Gen Khin Maung Than gave instructions on timely completion of the project so as to boost the agricultural industry for regional development. He also attended to the requirements. Next, he inspected the construction work being carried out at the project. The Ma Mya dam project is being constructed on Ma Mya creek and is designed to irrigate 10,000 acres of farmland in Myanaung Township. The embankment of the dam is of earthen type, with 11,800 feet in length and 150 feet in height. Efforts are under way to finish the project according to schedule. Later, Lt-Gen Khin Maung Than and party left there by car and arrived back in Hinthada in the evening.

Minister inspects river water pumping projects, dam projects and multiple-cropping

YANGON, 2 Sept - Minister for Agriculture and Irrigation Maj-Gen Nyunt Tin, together with officials, yesterday inspected the digging of drains at the river water pumping project to pump water from the place near Kyaukku Pagoda in Bagan-NyaungU region, Mandalay Division, to nearby areas of Bagan Airport.

The minister was briefed on the project to irrigate about 3,000 acres of land by officials. After leaving instructions there, the minister visited Letpanchepaw river water pumping project in Bagan-NyaungU Township and supplying of water for monsoon paddy at Kokkohla river water pumping project in Pakokku Township.

Afterwards, the minister and party proceeded to Ngwetha Dam project near Ngwetha Village in Salingyi Township, Sagaing Division, and fulfilled the requirements. The minister also visited the chosen site for Salingyi Dam, west of Salingyi Township. Engineers briefed on the project to the minister. The directors-general of the Irrigation Department and the Water Resources Utilization Department also reported on catchment areas of Salingyi Dam and Nyaungbingyi river water pumping project, extended growing of crops and quality strain of long staple cotton.

The minister then visited Minywa river water pumping project in Yesagyo Township and Pauk-in (Magyibok) river water pumping project.

At Pauk-in plantation of Myanma Agriculture Services in ChaungU Township in Sagaing Division, officials reported to the minister on growing and production of crops. The minister inspected growing of crops and multiple-cropping at Ngashan Village in ChaungU Township and Lathtoktaw Village in Myinmu Township.

Myanma Trade Fair-2003 to be held

YANGON, 2 Sept - With the permission of the Ministry of Commerce, Quartz International Co Ltd will hold the Myanmar Trade Fair-2003 on a grand scale at Yangon Trade Centre on Pazundaung Street here from 5 to 8 September.

The trade fair will display various kinds of cosmetic and personal goods, home decoration items, construction materials, different kinds of foodstuff, electrical and electronic gadgets, traditional medicines and pharmaceuticals and technological items. It will show demonstration on advertising led by John Lwin of Star Entertainment Co Ltd and advertising model contest of Dancing MTF 2003.

The trade fair will be held from 9 am to 6 pm daily. Those who are interested may visit the exhibition free of charge.

Myanmar delegation leaves to attend 4th ASEAN Youth Affairs Ministerial Meeting

YANGON, 2 Sept - The Myanmar delegation led by Minister for Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement Minister for Immigration and Population Maj-Gen Sein Htwa left here for the Philippines by air this morning to attend the 4th ASEAN Youth Affairs Ministerial Meeting and Senior Officials Meeting to be held in the Philippines from 3 to 4 September.