Onus on present-day people for progress and prosperity of future generations
Senior General Than Shwe meets departmental personnel of Mon, Kayin States

YANGON, 7 Feb — Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Senior General Than Shwe met departmental personnel from Mon and Kayin States at Aung San Hall of the South-East Command on 5 February afternoon.

Also present on the occasion were SPDC members General Thura Shwe Mann,     Lt-Gen Maung Bo, Lt-Gen Thiha Thura Tin Aung Myint Oo and Lt-Gen Tin Aye, Commander-in-Chief (Navy) Vice-Admiral Soe Thein, Commander-in-Chief (Air)  Lt-Gen Myat Hein, Mon State PDC Chairman South-East Command Commander Maj-Gen Thura Myint Aung, ministers, senior military officers, Kayin State PDC Chairman Col Khin Kyu, officials of the SPDC office, heads of department, departmental officials of Mon and Kayin States.

First, Commander Maj-Gen Thura Myint Aung reported that Mon State has seen progress in the agricultural sector due to the emergence of the dams and sluice gates. Over 0.8 million acres of land have been put under summer and monsoon paddy in the state compared to 0.6 million in the past. In addition, rubber cultivation has now been extended to more than 240,000 acres from 70,000 acres in the past. Three new crop items have been grown in the state besides the 10 major crops. The commander also reported to the Senior General on development of the state’s sectors such as education, health, transport, industry and per capita income.

Col Khin Kyu presented a report on formation of districts and townships in Kayin State, growing of the ten major crops, cultivation of 430,000 acres of monsoon paddy up to October 2004 against the target of 500,000 acres, cultivation of 104,000 acres of summer paddy against the target of 150,000 acres, local self-sufficiency of rice, extension of rubber cultivation and livestock breeding, geographical surveys conducted for power supply through Dakyaing Creek in Hlaingbwe Township and education and health matters of the state.

Next, General Thura Shwe Mann delivered a speech, saying that they, led by Head of State Senior General Than Shwe, arrived there to attend the inauguration of Thanlwin Bridge (Mawlamyine) and fulfil the requirements for the development of the region. We have witnessed the betterment of roads and tidiness of houses in Mawlamyine. Moreover, it was heartening to see that local people fully participated in the arrangements for the opening of the bridge. It means the people are enjoying fruits of development in their state.

The government on its part is striving its utmost not only to ensure balanced development in all aspects across the country but also to build a discipline-flourishing democratic nation which is compatible with our geographical conditions and culture, the General added.

It is necessary to have the strength of people to achieve this goal. It can be seen that present conditions of the country is contrary to those in 1988. Now, the nation is progressing day by day, he noted. Per capita income has increased to K 160,000 from K 1940 in 1988. The Tatmadaw Government has been fulfilling the rights of the people, and implementing workable programmes to realize the targets. Thanks to the harmonious efforts of the people, the Tatmadaw and the Government, the targets have been met. The Government is striving on self-reliant basis for the national development. Harmonious endeavours are required to achieve greater progress. The Head of State has given guidance to the departmental personnel to work hard for improving the living standard of the people, and developing the regions and rural areas. The service personnel should work in accord with the guidance. Minister for National Planning and Economic Development U Soe Tha explained the economic development of Mon State and Kayin State and the sectors which need assistance. Minister for Agriculture and Irrigation Maj-Gen Htay Oo said that the Government will provide assistance to the farmers to boost agricultural production. Peasants should make systematic efforts to extend sown acreage, increase per acre yield, and minimize wastage.

In giving guidance, Senior General Than Shwe said that the Government has been providing necessary assistance for progress of all the regions of the Union.

Progress of the states and divisions will lead to development of the national economy. Thus, earnest efforts should be made for national development. Roughly, Myanmar has a total cultivable area of about 50 million acres, and to this date only over 25 millions acres have been put under crops. Reclamation of vacant and virgin lands to the full will help develop the national economy many times greater than at present. Rubber can be grown in hill regions and highland farms can be set up in those regions with advanced methods. Efforts and innovation are important. The economy of Mon and Kayin states will develop if their land and water resources are harnessed to the most effective degree. The agricultural sector will continue to play a leading role in the nation’s economy for certain length of time. Thus, it is important to develop the sector with energetic efforts. As people of all the states and divisions are striving their utmost to develop their own regions, innovative means should be applied to accelerate the progress of the two states.

The national development starts from individual and regional development. The onus is on the present-day people for the progress and prosperity of future generations.

The Senior General and party inspected the Thanlwin Bridge (Mawlamyine) by car in the evening. On arrival at Ye the next morning, they were welcomed by Brig-Gen Ye Win and officials. In Ye Station, they met with officials, members of social organizations and local people. Officials reported on administration, population, agriculture, health, education, transport and development of the region.

Minister U Soe Tha reported to the Senior General on the national economic development and Mon State’s contribution to it and the condition of Ye; and Minister Maj-Gen Htay Oo assignment of duties to create more opportunities in the agricultural sector, extend sown acreage, and increase per acre yield of various crops.

Minister for Border Areas and National Races and Development Affairs Col Thein Nyunt reported on implementation of national development projects in underdeveloped regions, spending over K 3,000 million on roads and bridges and education, health, agriculture and communication sectors and rapid development with the participation of the people. In his guidance, Senior General Than Shwe said out of the ten townships in Mon State Ye Township is the highest in average per capita income. According to the calculations, the per capita income in the township is over K 200,000. Per capita income of the nation increases considerably year after year. He spoke of the need to make concerted efforts for increase of income.

He said there are many economic enterprises to be extended for development of Ye township. Some economic enterprises with good prospects are to be established.

He spoke of the need to set the targets to increase the per capita income during the short-term five-year plan. Next, the Senior General cordially greeted those present at the meeting. After the ceremony, the Senior General and party toured Ye and inspected Ye River Bridge. They proceeded to Thanbyuzayat by helicopter. On arrival there, they were welcomed by Col Khin Maung Si of Thanbyu-zayat Station and officials. They then inspected the development of the township. The Senior General and party helicoptered to Mawla-myine and they passed through Thanlwin Bridge (Mawlamyine) again in the evening.

Source: "The New Light Of Myanmar", www.myanmar.com/nlm/
 

Secretary-1 receives Japanese Ambassador

YANGON, 7 Feb — Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council of the Union of Myanmar Lt-Gen Thein Sein received Mr Nobutake Odano, Japanese Ambassador to Myanmar, at Zeyathiri Beikman on Konmyinttha here this afternoon.

Present at the call were Minister for Foreign Affairs U Nyan Win, Deputy Minister U Kyaw Thu, Director-General of the Protocol Department Thura U Aung Htet, and Director-General of the Political Department U Thaung Tun.

Source: "The New Light Of Myanmar", www.myanmar.com/nlm/
 

Arab-Chinese Commerce Forum to be held in Beijing in April

ABU DHABI, 7 Feb — A delegation of the Chambers of Commerce and Industry of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) will attend a two-day Arab-Chinese Businessmen Forum due in April in Beijing, the Khaleej Times reported Sunday.

The forum, bringing together Arab and Chinese financial institutions and government representatives, will explore economic cooperation between China and Arab countries and means to enhance investment. Both sides might agree to create an Arab-Chinese forum as a platform for cooperation and dialogue to boost business ties between the two sides at various levels.

Arab-Chinese cooperation will witness a rapid growth soon and new business ties will yield positive results for both sides, Amr Moussa, secretary-general of the Arab League, was quoted as saying.

Source: "The New Light Of Myanmar", www.myanmar.com/nlm/

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