• All-round upgrading of Kandawgyi and Yangon Zoological Gardens coordinated
• Lt-Gen Ye Myint inspects Taungyay Dam construction project in Kyaukpadaung Township

• Commerce Minister meets importers and exporters
• Doctors successfully conduct kidney transplant on patients
• Minister visits Armed Forces Day booth
• Tax-free markets inspected in Yangon
• Armed Forces Day Book Fair to be held
• New school building opened

• Commerce Minister receives Japanese guests
• Tourists arrive by M S Europa

• MAPT beat CPT 2-1 in First Division Soccer Tourney

• 12 acres of poppy plantations in Shan State (East) destroyed
• Drug possessor gets prison term

YANGON, 9 March - A coordination meeting on all-round upgrading of Yangon Kandawgyi Gardens and Yangon Zoological Gardens was held at the briefing hall of Water Plaza in Central Forest Zone in Kandawgyi Garden this evening, attended by Prime Minister General Khin Nyunt.

Also present were Chairman of the Work Committee for All-round Upgrading of Kandawgyi Gardens and Zoological Gardens Chairman of Yangon Division Peace and Development Council Commander of Yangon Command Maj-Gen Myint Swe, the ministers, the Yangon mayor, the deputy ministers, officials of the State Peace and Development Council Office, members of the work committee and officials.

Commander Maj-Gen Myint Swe reported in detail on measures taken in the relaxation zone, recreation zone, education zone and central forest zone, progress of work of each zone and tasks being undertaken and to be undertaken.

Minister for Agriculture and Irrigation Maj-Gen Nyunt Tin reported on functions for keeping the waters of Kandawgyi clean forever, Minister for Hotels and Tourism Brig-Gen Thein Zaw on upgrading of hotels and restaurants, Minister for Livestock and Fisheries Brig-Gen Maung Maung Thein on construction of fresh water fish garden in education zone, Minister for Forestry Brig-Gen Thein Aung on growing of plants, landscaping and conservation of shade trees and other plants in central forest zone and upgrading of Zoological Gardens, Chairman of Yangon City Development Committee Yangon Mayor Brig-Gen Aung Thein Lin on fencing, construction of viewing plaza and bridge that links islands and landscaping, Deputy Minister for Science and Technology U Nyi Hla Nge on quality control of the buildings in the project, Architect Mr Jun-Ichi Inada on designs relating to the tasks, Chairman of Myanmar Hoteliers Association U Khin Shwe on arrangements for construction of restaurants and playgrounds and Managing Director of Woodland Co Ltd U Win Aung and officials on tasks being implemented.

Next, General Khin Nyunt fulfilled the requirements and gave instructions on construction of buildings suitable for the original nature and beauty of Kandawgyi Garden and systematic implementation of the tasks for emergence of advanced garden where people can take rest in peace.

After the meeting Prime Minister General Khin Nyunt inspected the tasks for upgrading of the Kandawgyi and gave instructions.

YANGON, 9 March-Member of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Ye Myint, accompanied by Chairman of Mandalay Division Peace and Development Council Commander of Central Command Maj-Gen Ye Myint and officials, arrived at the junction of Pyintha Village on Meiktila-Thazi road where Meiktila bypass is being constructed by Hong Pang Co Ltd on 8 March morning.

At the junction, Commander Maj-Gen Ye Myint reported to Lt-Gen Ye Myint on arrangements for construction of the bypass.

Next, Lt-Gen Ye Myint inspected arrangements being made for construction of the bypass and heard a report presented by officials of the company on surveying of the axis and future tasks.

Lt-Gen Ye Myint gave instructions on timely completion of the work.

After that, Lt-Gen Ye Myint and party arrived at the border of Kyauk-padaung where they were welcomed by Chairman of Myingyan District Peace and Development Council Lt-Col Win Myint and departmental officials.

Next, they proceeded to Taungyay Dam project being undertaken by Irrigation Department Construction Group-7 of the Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation near Tebinte Village in Kyaukpadaung Township and inspected digging of canal with heavy machinery.

Next, Lt-Gen Ye Myint and party inspected Kyaukpon Creek and canal to take water to Kyetmauktaung Dam.

Next, they inspected earth work for Taungyay Dam where Deputy Director of ID U Myo Tun reported on progress of earth work and work to be carried out to Lt-Gen Ye Myint who gave necessary instructions.

At the briefing hall, an official reported on progress in construction of Taungyay Dam, Kyauktada Dam, canal and diversion tunnel and future tasks.

Lt-Gen Ye Myint gave instructions on timely completion of the work.

Taungyay Dam is situated near Tepinte Village in Kyaukpadaung Township and it is of earthen type with 70 feet in height and 2950 feet in length. The catchment area of the dam is 23 sq-miles and 48 per cent of the project was completed. On completion, it can irrigate Kyetmauk-taung Dam and benefit other farmlands in addition to 13,432 acres of farmlands being irrigated by Kyetmauktaung Dam.

YANGON, 9 March - Minister for Commerce Brig-Gen Pyi Sone met wheat importers, and coffee, pepper, mango, tea leaf and plum exporters at the meeting hall on the fifth floor of the ministry.

Present on the occasion were Deputy Minister Brig-Gen Aung Tun, directors-general, managing directors, guests, the general secretary and CEC members of the Union of Myanmar Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry, and exporters.

On the occasion, the minister spoke of the need of wheat importers to reduce the rate of their wheat import and to make arrangements for cultivation and production of wheat. He also urged exporters to promote the export rate and to award prizes to those who export most.

Those present on the occasion also took part in the discussions. Later, the minister gave instructions in response to reports.

YANGON, 9 March - Both the patient and the donor are in good health after a successful kidney transplant conducted on Daw Saw Ma Ma at Mandalay General Hospital on 7 March.

Minister for Health Dr Kyaw Myint visited the donor, the patient's elder brother U Hla Myint, at the hospital in the evening, and the patient, Daw Saw Ma Ma, the next morning.

The surgical team led by Director-General of Medical Research Department (Upper Myanmar) Dr Paing Soe, explained the improving condition of the patient.

Other members of the team were Dr Khin Maung Htay, Dr Than Aye, Dr Sai Lun Maung, Dr Toe Lwin and other physicians.

Another patient, Ko Win Thura Latt, and donor, his younger sister, Ma Win Rupa Latt, are also in good health after undergoing surgical operation.

Today, doctors are conducting kidney transplant on Daw Aye Aye. The donor is her elder sister Daw Ni Ni.

YANGON, 9 March - Minister for Cooperatives Maj-Gen Htay Oo inspected the booth for the 59th Anniversary Armed Forces Day of the ministry at the Defence Services Museum here today. The minister was conducted round the booth by heads of department and officials of the ministry.

YANGON, 9 March - Yangon Division Peace and Development Council Chairman and Yangon Command Commander Maj-Gen Myint Swe, accompanied by commanders of military regions, local authorities and officials of Yangon City Development Committee, inspected tax-free markets here and gave instructions to officials this morning.

When the commander arrived at Pantaya tax-free market in Dagon Township, Yangon West District, at 6.30 am, No 3 Military Region Commander Col Tint Hsan, Yangon West District Peace and Development Council Chairman Lt-Col Kyaw Tint and officials welcomed them.

The commander and party also went to the tax-free markets in Kamayut Township, Mayangon Township, Yankin Township, and Tamway Township and inspected the buying and selling conditions at the shops opened by the YCDC, battalions and units under Yangon Command, the Yangon Division Vegetables and Poultry Farming Special Zone, growers and breeders, the Myanmar Rice Wholesalers Association, the Myanmar Edible Oil Entrepreneurs & Oil Millers Association, the Ministry of Industry-1 and other companies.

Giving instructions, the commander said the tax-free markets were opened to enable the public to buy fresh vegetables, meat, fish and eggs at reasonable prices and urged officials concerned to keep the environs of the markets clean and tidy, to ensure the proper drainage in the markets, and to maintain the shops in good condition.

YANGON, 9 March - Hailing the 59th Anniversary Armed Forces Day which falls on 27 March 2004, a book fair sponsored by Sarpay Beikman of Printing and Publishing Enterprise of the Ministry of Information will be held at 379-383, PPE (former Head Office) on Bo Aung Kyaw Street in Kyauktada Township from 19-3-2004 to 28-3-2004.

The book fair will be open from 9 am to 5 pm and books will be sold to the public.

Bookshops wishing to participate in the fair may contact Chief Editor of Sarpay Beikman at 529-531, Merchant Street (phone 252560), Deputy Chief Editor (240048) or Manager (Sales) (381448/249031) not later than 15-3-2004.

YANGON, 9 March - A new school building of the Nangmon village primary school in Hsihseng Township was opened with ceremony on 28 February. The building was built by Cetana Foundation (Japan) Nippon Foundation (Japan) and local people. Township Peace and Development Council Chairman U Saw Oo, Township Education Officer Daw Nan Ngwe Ngwe and Cetana Foundation Chairman Mr Tirano formally opened it by cutting a ribbon.

YANGON, 9 March - Minister for Commerce Brig-Gen Pyi Sone received Mr Toshihide Orita, General Manager of Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation of Japan, and party at his office at the ministry on Strand Road here this afternoon.

Present on the occasion were Deputy Minister Brig-Gen Aung Tun, Director-General of Directorate of Trade U Nyunt Aye, Director-General of the Border Trade Department U Nay Win, and officials of the Myanma Agricultural Produce Trading.

Industry-1 Minister receives Chinese guests

YANGON, 9 March - Minister for Industry-1 U Aung Thaung received Ms Ellen Yonghi Han, Project Manager of China National Machinery & Equipment Import & Export Corporation, and party at his office at the ministry at 2.30 pm today. Present on the occasion were Deputy Minister Brig-Gen Kyaw Win, directors-general and managing directors of departments and enterprises.

YANGON, 9 March - Under the supervision of the Ministry of Hotels & Tourism, with assistance of the Ministry of Transport and under the arrangements of Diethelm Travel Ltd Myanmar, Cruiseliner M S Europa with 170 passengers on board arrived Thilawa International Port in Kyauktan here early this morning. The tourists in groups were scheduled to visit Yangon downtown, Bago and Bagan. The vessel will leave on 11 March morning.

YANGON, 9 March - The football match of the 2003-2004 football season First Division Soccer Tournament was held at the Padonma sports ground in Sangyoung Township here at 3.30 pm today. The Myanma Agricultural Produce Trading team beat the Communications, Posts and Telegraphs team 2-1.

The two goals for the MAPT team were scored by S' Htet Naing Win and Myo Hlaing Oo. The single goal for CPT team was scored by Thant Zin Tun. The referee of the match was U Thein Myaing, it is learnt.

YANGON, 9 March-Poppy plantations are being destroye during the 2003-2004 poppy cultivation season. A combined team comprising members of local Tatmadawmen, local intelligence unit, Myanmar Police Force, Shan State (East) Special Region-4 and local people destroyed 12 acres of poppy plantations illegally grown on Pansali mountain range north-east of Wunshan Village, Shan State (East) on 28 February, putting the total number of the already-destroyed acres of poppy plantations illegally grown in the region as far as 28 February 2004 to 6618.476.

YANGON, 9 March-Members of Zeyawady Police Force in Pyu Township, Bago Division, on 23 November 2003, searched the house of Zaw Lwin of 1st Aungmingalar Street, Zeyawady and arrested him together with 1.07775 kilo of marijuana concealed in a basket.

Action was taken against Zaw Lwin, son of U Hla Myint of 1st Aungmingalar Street, Zeyawady under Section 15/19 (A) of Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Law.

He was sentenced to 15 years' imprisonment under Section 19 (A) and 5 years' imprisonment with hard labour under Section 15 by Taungoo District Court on 22 January 2004.