YANGON, 21 Jan - The following is the message of felicitations from foreign Head of State to State Peace and Development Council Chairman of the Union of Myanmar Senior General Than Shwe on the occasion of the 56th Anniversary of the Independence Day of the Union of Myanmar.

From Emperor Akihito of Japan: 

On the occasion of the Independence Day of the Union of Myanmar, I have great pleasure in sending to Your Excellency my heartfelt congratulations and sincere good wishes for your happiness and for the prosperity of the people of your country.

YANGON, 21 Jan - Prime Minister of the Union of Myanmar General Khin Nyunt received Chairperson of the Support Fund Myanmar of Belgium Ms Yve Callebaut at Zeyathiri Beikman Hall on Konmyinttha here at 5 pm today.

Also present at the call were Minister for Agriculture and Irrigation Maj-Gen Nyunt Tin, Minister for Foreign Affairs U Win Aung, Deputy Minister U Khin Maung Win and Director-General of the Protocol Department Thura U Aung Htet. Ms Callebaut was accompanied by Chairman of the Woodland Group of Companies U Win Aung.

YANGON, 21 Jan - The Third Myanmar ICT Week 2004, jointly organized by the e-National Task Force and the Myanmar Information and Communication Technology Development Corporation, was launched this morning at the MICTDC building in Hline Township here.

Chairman of the Myanmar Computer Science Development Council Prime Minister General Khin Nyunt attended the ceremony and delivered an address.

Present on the occasion were State Peace and Development Council Secretary-2 Lt-Gen Thein Sein, ministers, the chief justice, the Yangon mayor, deputy ministers, senior military officers, members of the e-National Task Force, members of the committee for MICT Week 2004, responsible personnel of the State Peace and Development Council Office, departmental heads, foreign ambassadors to Myanmar, diplomats of foreign missions, resident representatives of UN agencies, officials of UMFCCI, members of the board of directors of MICTDC, the chairmen and officials of the Myanmar Computer Federation, the Myanmar Computer Scientists Association, the Myanmar Computer Industry Association, the Myanmar Computer Enthusiasts Association, officials of Mandalay ICT Park, IT experts, IT companies in Myanmar, Multimedia Development Corporation of Malaysia, Software Park of Thailand, Shin Satellite, iP Tel of Malaysia, Sin Tel, Inmarsat Company, and others.

Prime Minister General Khin Nyunt opened the Third Myanmar ICT Week 2004 with the use of Bio Matric system.

Speaking on the occasion, Prime Minister General Khin Nyunt said: It is a great pleasure for me to give the opening address at the ceremony celebrating the 3rd Myanmar ICT Week. Allow me first of all to extend a most cordial welcome to all our friends from abroad who are participating in the activities.

Two years ago in 2002, I had the pleasure of inaugurating the Myanmar ICT Park and Myanmar ICT Week. It is most heartening to note the rapid progress of MICT Park. If I may recall, the MICT Park was established as part of the ICT Master Plan of Myanmar to stimulate the development of Myanmar ICT industry by attracting local and international partners to form a cluster of ICT-related business supported by world class infrastructure and technologies. It is our aim that MICT Park will facilitate ICT infrastructure and operational space, serve to promote ICT business at local and global levels, develop ICT development in the country while upgrading the skills of local ICT professionals and act as an incubation of the new start-up ICT entrepreneurs.

The success of the endeavour can be seen not only in expansion and upgrading of ICT infrastructure and facilities at the MICT Park in Yangon but also the establishment of an ICT Park in Mandalay last year. I wish to congratulate the Myanmar Information and Communication Technology Development Corporation (MICTDC) as well as all the people involved for furthering the development of ICT in Myanmar.

I am fully confident that the present ICT Week will also be able to fulfil its objectives to transfer technology, increase public awareness as well as demonstrate the achieve-ments of Myanmar ICT sector.

Today, Myanmar is striving to become a modern and developed State. Politically, we are already taking measures for the implementation of the seven-step Roadmap that would ensure the emergence of a peaceful, stable, prosperous and democratic society. In the field of economy, vigorous efforts for economic development have resulted in a steady and sustained economic growth. In the social sector, significant strides have been achieved, particularly in health, education and human resource development.

In our endeavours for modernization, we are particularly aware of the role of technology. This is especially true in the case of Information and Com-munication Technology. It is generally accepted that ICT promises a great future in the advancement of mankind. Today, ICT touches upon every aspect of our daily lives. Our Government is fully committed to ICT deve-lopment and I am proud to note that through the cooperation and coordinated efforts of the Government, the private sector, computer scientists, entrepreneurs and enthusiasts as well as the assistance from our friends from abroad, Information and Communication Technology has made rapid and significant progress in the last two years. I wish also to reiterate that the Government will continue to provide full support for the development of this sector.

I am greatly delighted to see significant milestones in Myanmar ICT development. The drafting of the Cyber Law is proceeding quite smoothly and it is our hope that we will have a clean text in not too distant future.

We have identified five important focus areas namely, implementation of e-ASEAN Information Infrastructure; facilitation of e-Commerce growth; liberalization of ICT goods and services, capacity building and emergence of e-Society and development of e-Government. It is gratifying to note that significant progress is being achieved in all these sectors. To cite an example, Myanmar was able to introduce e-passports last year, placing it in the forefront of the world in this regard.

Moreover, e-visa for visitors to Myanmar is being launched today. Likewise, the use of the Smart Card is gaining more prevalence and our Smart Schools have won praise from international visitors.

Training of young people at various courses held in MICT Park as well as abroad is serving to build up our capacity. I would like to thank the Myanmar Computer Federation and its affiliated Associations for working energetically in capacity-building and human resource development. Moreover, the opening of Computer Universities and Colleges in various parts of the country also mean that the nation will have capable reservoir of human resource. Computer-based modern teaching method has been introduced in basic education and now, there are multimedia teaching centres in almost all basic education high schools, the majority of middle schools and some primary schools. Higher education sector learning centres, resource centres and e-library were installed in colleges and universities and computer network system linking the universities and colleges was also established.

I am also glad to learn that various seminars and workshops will be held during the current ICT Week reinforcing the theme "Software Industry Deve-lopment". The deliberations will surely be of great benefit and serve to promote ICT knowledge in the country.

In 2003, we were able to dispatch an IT caravan to various cities and towns in order to increase public awareness and to instill ICT-related knowledge. It is our plan to further expand the programme during 2004.

As for MICT Park itself, the completion of the 2nd phase of development had resulted in expanded facilities. I am also glad to see the construction work of Cyber Tower and Cyber Mall is proceeding smoothly.

In recognition of Myanmar's efforts for ICT development, ASOCIO has awarded ASOCIO ICT AWARD 2003 to Myanmar. However, we should not be complacent with our achievements. Much more needs to be done and I would like to urge all our computer scientists, technicians, industrialists and enthusiasts to work together and harder to turn Myanmar into a major ICT powerhouse.

In this regard, I wish to acknowledge the valuable contribution made by our international partners. Today, Myanmar is cooperating actively with Japan, India, Malaysia, Singapore, Korea, Thailand and China. It is our hope that we will be able to expand our international relations in ICT field during the present year. It is also gratifying to note that at both four-nation Economic Cooperation Strategy Bagan Summit as well as the recent ASEAN-Japan Commemorative Summit, capacity-building was accorded as a priority area.

In conclusion, I again would like to express my sincere appreciation to MICTDC, Myanmar Com-puter Federation, Myanmar Computer Scientists' Association, Myanmar Com-puter Industry Association, Myanmar Computer Enthu-siasts' Association, Bagan Cybertech, MICT Park as well as the various government departments for their contribution to the development of the ICT Sector in Myanmar. May the 3rd ICT week enjoy every success.

Afterwards, MICTDC Chairman Brig-Gen Thein Swe reported to Prime Minister General Khin Nyunt on progress of IT projects; projects initiated at the Third MICT Week such as Certification Authority (CA), e-Visa, Budget PC, and e-Procurement; and arrangements for Seafarer's Smart ID and Trade EDI.

Bagan Cybertech Co Ltd Chief Executive Officer Dr Ye Naing Win and Prognotic Services Pte Ltd Chief Executive Officer Mr Ranstan Liang signed a memorandum of understanding with respect to the Inmarsat D Plus Satellite Terminal Service Provision for Vessel Tracking.

Next, Myanma Posts and Telecommunications Managing Director U Maung Maung Tin and Shin Satellite Public Co Ltd of Thailand President Dr Nongluck Phinainitisart signed a memorandum of understanding concerning the Cooperation in International Roaming Services.

An agreement on International Roaming Services was also signed by MPT Managing Director U Maung Maung Tin and iP Tel Sdn Bhd of Malaysia Chairman Dr Mohd Yusof bin Ismail.

Later, Prime Minister General Khin Nyunt and party inspected items displayed at the MICT Week.

As part of the effort to implement Myanmar e-Government tasks, e-Government portal, which was innovated by Myanmar Computer Co Ltd (MCC) aimed at sending information and submitting reports between the Prime Minister's Office and ministries, was installed at the Prime Minister's Office to be used as of today.

The Third Myanmar ICT Week 2004 will be kept open daily free of charge to enthusiasts and general public from 9 am to 5 pm till 27 of this month as of today.

YANGON, 21 Jan - The Myanmar Information and Communication Technology Week-2004 was held at MICT Park in Hline University Campus in Hline Township today. Businessmen, departmental staff, teachers, students and the public visited the Myanmar ICT Week.

At the booth of the Ministry of Communications, Posts and Telegraphs, there are value-added services such as CLI, Call Forwarding, Call Waiting and 3-Way Calling. Visitors are allowed to use E-mail, fax, Internet (ISDN internet access) free of charge. Besides, local-made auto-exchanges, card phones, video phones, mobile phones single, 3G phone system, cordless phone for rural areas, the system that can draw bill instantly with the use of computer for PCO phone, iPStar (i-Theatre) that can provide clear international movies everywhere with the use of satellites.

At Bagan Cybertech booth, ADSL communication system in which Internet, e-mail and telephone can be used quickly by using telephones in Yangon and Mandalay where there are exchanges, iPStar services that can be used everywhere and i-Theatre with the use of iPStar.

Bagan Cybertech is selling dial-up Internet connection A/C users at a cost of annual fee K 49,000 instead of K 60,000 during ICT Week and presents gifts to those who participate in the Bagan Cybertech's presentation Q and A programme.

At the booth of Advanced Technologies & Solutions Co Ltd, arrangements have been made for the Internet Premier Course for beginners, the Certified Web Master Course that is popular in the world and the Certified Java Master Course.

At the SSI Computer Centre, the Network Administrator Course, Java @ SSI/ E2 Com Course, the dotnext and C# Courses, the MS Office 2000 Course, Smart Star Course, Oracle & VB Course are opened.

At KMD Sales and Service Centre, computer sets are available at reasonable prizes with one-year guarantee.

The DCD Computer Company Limited is selling computers and related items in Yangon and Mandalay.

Maintenance and Rental Services (MRS) is providing services and selling computers at reasonable prices.

At the Myanmar ICT Week, organized by Myanmar Information and Communication Technology Development Corporation (MICTDC) from 21 to 24 January, network game centres in Yangon - the net zone, the i-net, the Red Application, the MSM, the Gooms, the Cyber City, Ice-Knight, X gainer Z, the Lan Wizard, Sky Star, the Plant Internet Cafe and the Black Rock Clan - will help organize the Myanmar National Counter-Strike Championship-2004 which will be held tomorrow. At the professional level, K 1 million will be presented for the first prize, K 500,000 for the second and K 300,000 for the third. At amateur level, the first prize is K 500,000, the second, K 300,000 and the third, K 200,000.

In addition, Bagan Cybertech will present a bonus of Internet Individual Dial-up Accounts worth K 2.52 million to winning groups. The performances at the championship will be presented on HLTV and detailed information is available at www.csmyanmar.com. Altogether over 100 groups will take part in the championship. The final match will be held at the Conference Hall at 1 pm on 26 January.

The dinner to mark the opening of the Myanmar ICT Week-2004 was held on the lawns in the MICT Park at 7 pm today, attended by members of leading committee for holding the week, the work committee members of e-National Task Force, the MICTDC President and members of board of directors, officials from the Myanmar Computer Federation, the Myanmar Computer Industry Association, the Myanmar Computer Scientists Association and the Myanmar Computer Enthusiasts Association and invited guests.

YANGON, 21 Jan - A workshop was held on the first day of the MICT Week 2004, with an expert of a Thai company as the main speaker.

Mr Sutee Satanasathaporn of Software Park, Thailand, gave talks on the subject - Capability Maturity Model Integration (CMMI) - the main theme of the workshop at the MICTDC building here today. Software engineers of the computer companies were the participants.

At the Conference Hall was the presentation of the certificates of the professional level courses - the JITEC Exam, the MCSA Certification Exam, and the Multimedia System Development Course (On-site Training).

After an introductory speech by U Aung Myint, member of the Civil Service Selection and Training Board, officials concerned explained the salient points of the three courses. Volunteers who rendered assistance to the courses were also honoured.

21 January 2004 7:30 am - Opening Ceremony + Projects Launching 1 pm - Professional Certification (seminar & ceremony) 1 pm - Capability Maturity Model Integration (workshop)

22 January 2004 9 am - Role of women in ICT industry (workshop) 9 am - PKI application (CA) 1 pm - Myanmar language implementation (workshop) 1 pm - Hardware Trend for software developers (seminar)

23 January 2004 9 am - Database Trend Technology (workshop) 1 pm - Object oriented software development with unified modeling language (workshop)

24 January 2004 9 am - Software products for SME (presentation & promotion) 1 pm - Software products for SME (presentation & promotion)

25 January 2004 9 am - Security issues and related products (seminar) 1 pm - e-Procurement (seminar)

26 January 2004 9 am - Wireless and broadband application (seminar) 1 pm - Myanmar National Counter-Strike C'ship Final

(Admission free)

YANGON, 21 Jan - The closing ceremony of the 13th Tatmadaw (Army, Navy and Air) Military Band Contest to mark the 59th Anniversary Armed Forces Day was held at the People's Square on Pyay Road here this morning.

It was attended by Chairman of the Leading Committee for Observance of the 59th Anniversary Armed Forces Day Member of the State Peace and Development Council Chief of Armed Forces Training Lt-Gen Kyaw Win, Chairman of the Management Committee for Observance of the 59th Anniversary Armed Forces Day Commander of Yangon Command Maj-Gen Myint Swe, Deputy-Chiefs of Armed Forces Training Maj-Gen Win Myint, Maj-Gen Aung Kyi and Brig-Gen Nyan Win, Chairman of the Committee for Organizing the military band contest Vice-Adjutant-General Brig-Gen Hla Shwe, Director of Resettlement Maj-Gen Aung Thein, senior military officers, departmental heads, members of the management committee, work committee and subcommittees, panel of judges, officers and other ranks and their families, teachers and students.

The bands marched past Lt-Gen Kyaw Win. They saluted the State Flag and fallen heroes and took the four oaths.

The chairman of the Leading Committee presented the first, second and third prizes to the leader of the bands representing Central Command, No 2 Training Depot and Eastern Command in Class (C); North-East Command, Eastern Command and Yangon Command in Class (B), and the best band leader award for Class (A) to the leader of the band representing Commander-in-Chief (Navy)'s Office.

Next, Lt-Gen Kyaw Win presented first, second and third prizes to the bands representing Southern Command, No 4 Training Depot and Northern Command in Class (C); Yangon Command, North-East Command and Eastern Command in Class (B); and the best band award to the band representing Commander-in-Chief (Navy)'s Office.

Brig-Gen Hla Shwe presented consolation prizes in Class (C) to bands representing No 101 LID, No 66 LID, Northern Command, Defence Services Technological Academy, No 2 Training Depot, No 1 Band Company of Northern-West Command and South-West Command; consolation prizes in Class (B) to bands representing Coastal Region Command, Northern Command, No 33 LID, Central Command, Defence Services Officer Training School, North-West Command and No 11 LID in Class (B) and consolation prize in Class (A) to Commander-in-Chief (Air)'s Office.

The bands representing No 2 Basic Education High School in Latha Township and No 2 BEHS in Sangyoung Township, first prize in Class (C) winner Southern Command band, first prize in Class (B) winner Yangon Command band, best prize in Class (A) winner Commander-in-Chief (Navy)'s Office band and Defence Services Guard of Honour band presented skill demonstration.

Secretary of the Leading Committee for Observance of the 59th Anniversary Armed Forces Day Member of the Committee for Organizing the military band contest Deputy Adjutant-General Col Khin Soe presented cash awards to the bands representing Latha Township No 2 BEHS and Sangyoung Township No 2 BEHS and band conductors.

Yangon, 21 Jan - Fifty members of the Metta Mon Association of Shine Hope Co Ltd donated blood collectively to the Defence Services Liver Specialist Hospital in Mingaladon Township here at 9 am on 17 January 2004.

The Metta Mon Association also donated K 100,000 for in-patients of the hospital. Lt-Col Kyaw Zin Han of the hospital accepted the cash donation.

YANGON, 21 Jan- A seminar on economic cooperation and coordination between Myanmar and Korea was held at Traders Hotel on Sule Pagoda Road this morning.

Present were Commercial Attache of Embassy of the Republic of Korea Mr Choi Yong-Tae, businessmen of six companies led by Vice-President Mr Hyo Sung Kim of Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) and entrepreneurs of 30 companies in Myanmar.

They discussed sale of washing machines that need no detergent powder, machines used in waste water treatment, low-heat devices, chemicals used in roads and factories, digital satellite receivers, digital cameras, MP3 players, CD players, various kinds of bags for laptop computers, circuit brakers, pylons, steel frames and technological devices in Myanmar.

YANGON, 21 Jan - The Embassy of the People's Republic of China in Yangon presented 10 sets of computers and printers and a copier to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs today.

At the ceremony, held at the Shin Ditha Pamaukkha Hall of the MOFA, Chinese Ambassador Mr Li Jinjun explained the purpose of making the donation.

Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs U Khin Maung Win thanked the Ambassador, and presented him a certificate of honour.

Also present were directors-general and officials of the MOFA, and the embassy staff.