Lt-Gen Myint Swe attends opening of Royal Ruby Jade Hotel Resort and Spa

Yangon, 8 March — Lt-Gen Myint Swe of the Ministry of Defence attended the ceremony to open Royal Ruby Jade Hotel Resort and Spa of Yangon City Development Committee at the corner of Mindhamma and Tawwin Roads in Mayangon Township this morning.

Also present on the occasion were Chairman of Yangon Division Peace and Development Council Commander of Yangon Command Maj-Gen Hla Htay Win, Minister for Mines Brig-Gen Ohn Myint, Chairman of YCDC Mayor Brig-Gen Aung Thein Lin, senior military officers, Secretary of YCDC U Tin Soe, the joint secretary and members, departmental heads, the Chairman of Ruby Dragon Companies Group and members, YCDC workers and guests.

Minister Brig-Gen Ohn Myint, Mayor Brig-Gen Aung Thein Lin and Chairman of Ruby Dragon Companies Group U Nay Win Tun formally opened the archway of the hotel.

The commander unveiled the signboard of the hotel.

Next, the commander, the mayor and the chairman of Ruby Dragon Companies Group cut the ribbon to open the Royal Ruby Jade Hotel.

Lt-Gen Myint Swe of the Ministry of Defence unveiled the signboard of the hotel and sprinkled scented water on the plaque.

Afterwards, the commander, the minister and the mayor sprinkled scented water on the plaque.

U Nay Win Tun presented commemorative pennants to Lt-Gen Myint Swe and party.

The mayor handed over documents related to the hotel to U Nay Win Tun.

After the ceremony, they visited the hotel.

Ruby Dragon Companies rented Royal Ruby Jade Hotel from YCDC. The hotel is a four-storey building that comprises 60 ordinary bedrooms and 10 suites, facilitated with Internet and e-mail, in addition to the outdoor swimming pool, the meeting hall and the gym.

Commander inspects development, agricultural tasks in Budalin, Dabayin, Ayadaw

Nay Pyi Taw, 8 March — Chairman of Sagaing Division Peace and Development Council Commander of North-West Command Maj-Gen Tha Aye, accompanied by departmental officials, comforted patients and presented cash assistance to them at Budalin Township Hospital on 1 March morning.

Medical Superintendent Dr Htar Htar conducted the commander round the hospital.

The commander inspected the site chosen for construction of a fire services station in Budalin and Bandoola Park, land preparations for cultivation of summer paddy along the canal of Kindat Dam in Dabayin Township.

Next, the commander paid homage to Abbot of Myayeik Monastery Sayadaw Bhaddanta Sobhita in Tawtan Village of Dabayin Township. He viewed the artesian well in the compound of Basic Education Middle School Branch in Ywakyatlay Village of Ayadaw Township. In Shwetwingon Village, the commander donated provisions to Koehsu Monastery Sayadaw Bhaddanta Viçakkana.

While in Ayadaw Township, the commander inspected artesian wells in the villages and left necessary instructions.

On arrival at the site of Magyisauk River Water Pumping Project of Water Resources Utilization Department in Magyisauk Village, he heard reports by Deputy Director U Ni Ni, and officials reported on progress of the project tasks, cultivation of summer paddy and cold season crops and regional development.

After attending to the needs, the commander inspected the physic nut nursery and progress of the river water pumping project. The commander looked into the artesian well, construction of the water tank, artesian well No 1 and the physic nut nursery of departments and the temporary nursery of the Arid Zone Greening Department in Ayadaw, and gave necessary instructions to officials.

Diplomats visit Empo

Yangon, 8 March — Ambassadors, charge d’affaires and military attache’s of foreign missions here and officials of UN agencies visited the 44th Myanma Gems Emporium at the Gems Mart here today.

Officials of Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Myanma Gems Enterprise of the Ministry of Mines welcomed and conducted them around the emporium.

The Myanma Gems Emporium Central Committee is the sponsor of the emporium.

USDA S-G meets local people in Kanyutkwin

Nay Pyi Taw, 8 March — Secretary-General of the Union Solidarity and Development Association U Htay Oo on 6 March met with local people, departmental personnel, members of Kanyutkwin Township USDA, Women’s Affairs Organization, Maternal and Child Welfare Association, Red Cross society and Auxiliary Fire Brigade at Kanyutkwin.

They discussed regional development.

The secretary-general donated school stationery for students of Kanyut-kwin Basic Education High School to the local education committee. Likewise, USDA, MCWA, WAO, Red Cross society and Auxiliary Fire Brigade of Kanyutkwin and Pyu presented school stationery to officials.

Coord meeting on supply and consumption of electricity discussed

Yangon, 8 March— Minister for Electric Power No 2 Maj-Gen Khin Maung Myint attended the coordination meeting of supply and consumption of electricity in Yangon city area at the meeting hall of Yangon City Electric Power Supply Board in Ahlon Township on 4 March. Also present at the meeting were Chairman of YCEPSB Col Khin Maung Soe, the Chief Engineer, power station managers, heads of engineers of District and Township Electrical Engineer’s Offices.

Next, member of YCEPSB U Tun Aye, Chief Engineer U Aung Khaing and Chairman of YCEPSB Col Khin Maung Soe reported on installation of electric meters and exposing illegal use of electricity. Afterwards, the minister gave necessary instructions and fulfilled the requirements of the task.

Commander inspects Military Code of Conduct Contest

Yangon, 7 March — Yangon Command organized the Military Code of Conduct Contest in commemoration of the 62nd Anniversary Armed Forces Day 2007, at the hall of the command headquarters this morning. Chairman of Yangon Division Peace and Development Council Commander of Yangon Command Maj-Gen Hla Htay Win viewed participation of the contestants.

A total of 40 contestants — eight each at the officer, WO and SGT/Cpl levels and 16 at the private level — took part in the competition.

Myanmar delegation leaves for Laos

Nay Pyi Taw, 8 March — At the invitation of Minister of Agriculture and Forestry Mr Sitaheng Rasphone of Lao PDR, a Myanmar delegation led by Minister for Agriculture and Irrigation Maj-Gen Htay Oo left here for Laos by air yesterday afternoon.

The Myanmar delegation was seen off at Nay Pyi Taw Airport by Minister for Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement Maj-Gen Maung Maung Swe, Minister for Forestry Brig-Gen Thein Aung and departmental heads.

The Minister was accompanied by Director-General U Tin Htut Oo of Agricultural Planning Department, Managing Director U Ohn Than of Myanma Agriculture Service and Acting Director-General U Khin Zaw of Irrigation Department.

Commander, CEC member inspect development tasks in Mon State

Yangon, 8 March — CEC member of the Union Solidarity and Development Association Minister for Mines Brig-Gen Ohn Myint on 3 February delivered an address at the opening of the basic physical training course No 1, organized by Mon State USDA, at Mawlamyine University in Mawlamyine.

The CEC member accepted cash donations for the training courses from wellwishers. A total of 150 USDA members are attending the course.

At Mawlamyine Industrial Zone, Commander of South-East Command Brig-Gen Thet Naing Win and Minister for Mines Brig-Gen Ohn Myint met with industrial entrepreneurs, and viewed production of goods at factories of private entrepreneurs.

The CEC member also gave necessary instructions to secretaries and executives of Mon State, District and Township USDAs at Mon State USDA Office.

On 4 March, they proceeded to Ye. After meeting with local people, the CEC member accepted 1,900 membership applications. In the afternoon, the commander and the minister met with local people in Asin Village. The CEC member accepted 838 membership applications.

They inspected construction of the reinforced concrete bridge measuring 180 feet by 24 feet linking Asin Village and Zibyutaung Village. They also viewed maintenance of the bridge linking Hangan Village and Khawza.

CEC member accepts USDA membership applications at Shwebo Degree College, Institute of Agriculture

Nay Pyi Taw, 8 March — The conclusion ceremony of the Computer Course and the International Relations Course No 27 was held at Pyinnya Alin modern library in Shwebo on 5 March. CEC member of Union Solidarity and Development Association Minister for Sports Brig-Gen Thura Aye Myint delivered an address and donated K 100,000 for the further courses.

A total of 2,850 trainees had attended the courses up to No 27.

Minister Brig-Gen Thura Aye Myint also donated a TV, sports equipment and exercise books for rural development camp in Chipa Village.

At Shwebo Degree College, the CEC member accepted 1,578 membership applications from faculty members, students and employees of Shwebo Degree College and 188 applications from Nyaungpintha Institute of Agriculture.

The minister presented one facsimile machine and sports equipment worth K 265,000 for the college and K 100,000 and sports equipment for the institute through officials.

Tawlti village in Taikkyi upgraded to model one

Yangon, 8 March—Chairman of Yangon Division Peace and Development Council Commander of Yangon Command Maj-Gen Hla Htay Win made a tour of Taikkyi Township, Yangon North District, today.

He inspected plantations of crops near Takhwa Village in Taikkyi Township. Officials reported on supply of irrigation water, progress of cultivating summer paddy and water supply.

The commander gave instructions on sufficient irrigation water supply, extensive cultivation of crops and boost production of agricultural produce.

He observe the scattering of natural and chemical fertilizers and demonstration of production and use of natural fertilizer held near Potigon Village, and called for extensive utilization of natural fertilizer.

At the opening of Tawlti model village, the commander formally unveiled the signboard of the village. He inspected handicraft enterprise of Taikkyi Township Maternal and Child Welfare Association, and Wizaya self-reliant library of the model village.

He handed over the publications and a radio donated by division, district and township Information and Public Relations Department to the library. The township PDC chairman presented K 100,000 donated by the Township PDC and K 30,000 by local people to the library.

The Township PDC chairman gave an account of efforts exerted to upgrade the village to a model one.

The commander gave a speech and presented K 200,000 donated by Yangon Division Maternal and Child Welfare Supervisory Committee to the model village. Next, he visited the pre-primary school.

He addressed the presenting of cash donations for the trust funds of Tawlti station hospital and presented K 1 million to the medical facility. The donations made by wellwishers amounted to K 2.3 million. The Township PDC chairman handed over the documents related to the charges for repairing the ambulance of the hospital and K 500,000 for maintenance charges to the head of Division Health Department.

The commander inspected the wards around the hospital and presented cash donations to the patients. Next, he visited Tawlti Monastery and offered alms to the abbot.

He looked into the digging of fish breeding pond of Dagon Agriculture and Livestock Breeding Enterprise in Bawle Island in Htantabin Township, the five-acre black gram plantation of farmer U Thaung near Panthaput Village, and the site chosen for building of Bawle station hospital. The chairman of the enterprise reported on reclamation of 4981 acres and digging of fish breeding ponds on 1,920 acres in Bawle Island in Htantabin Township and Ai Kalaung Island in Taikkyi Township and work progress.

The commander rendered assistance for the projects and inspected the river water pumping station and samples of locally-produced natural fertilizers.

Measures taken as to death of poultry and birds in townships of Yangon Division

Yangon, 8 March — The death of 10 crows, seven pigeons, two sparrows and one myna was found today in Hlinethaya, Dagon, Mayangon, Insein, Sangyoung, Dagon Myothit (South) and (North), Ahlon, Thakayta and Bahan townships. In addition, one domestic chicken, five broilers and two domestic ducks were found dead in Mingaladon, Kamayut and Mayangon townships. The Livestock Breeding and Veterinary Department came to the conclusion that the death of poultry and birds in townships of Yangon Division was not due to the avian influenza.

Meeting on prevention and control of bird flu

This afternoon, the meeting on prevention and control of bird flu was held at the office of the director-general of the Livestock Breeding and Veterinary Department.

Present at the meeting were Resident Representative of FAO Mr Tang Zhengping, Regional Coordinator Dr Mac Arthur of USAID, bird flu laboratory technician Dr Sudarat Damongwatanapokin, Senior Management Officer Mr Kumar Upadhyay of FAO Regional Office, Bird Flu Coordinator Dr Wantanee Kalpravidh, First Secretary Ms Manlowe Teresa of the US Embassy, Management Officer Mr Steven Schonberger of Rural Development and Natural Resources Management Section of World Bank, Technician Mr Kwanpadh Suddhi Dhamakit of Manpower Development Programme, Director-General of LBVD and officials.

They discussed infection and control of bird flu in Yangon Division, arrangement of WB to provide assistance to Myanmar through FAO and its cooperation programme.

Myanmar CP Inter-Club and U-10, U-12, U-14 Junior Tennis Tournament scheduled

Yangon, 8 March — Hailing the 62nd Anniversary Armed Forces Day, the Myanmar CP Inter-Club and U-10, U-12, U-14 Junior Tennis Tournament, to be organized by Myanmar Tennis Federation and sponsored by Myanmar CP Company, will take place at Theinbyu Tennis Court from 20 to 26 March.

The tournament will include the A and B class team events, women’s singles and doubles events, the U-10, U-12 and U-14 youth events. Players of the A class team are permitted to take part in two singles events and one doubles event. Four or five players are allowed to participate in each team. Selected players of the national team and State and Division level players are also permitted to take part in the tournament. In the B class team event, players are to compete in three double events. Each team is to be formed with six or seven players.

Each tennis team may be formed with one State/Division level athlete of over 45 years old and former selected players of over 50 years old.

Myanmar Tennis Federation will accommodate tennis clubs and youth players from districts.

Those wishing to take part in the tournament are to enlist at MTF, Tel: 01-372360, not later than 18 March. The federation invited one responsible person of each team to attend the drawing of fixtures for the tournament at the federation office at 1 pm on 19 March.

44th Myanma Gems Emporium commences

Yangon, 8 March — The 44th Myanma Gems Emporium for 2007, organized by the Central Committee for Myanma Gems Emporium, was held at Myanma Gems Mart on Kaba Aye Pagoda road and Myanmar Convention Centre on Mindhamma road today.

The emporium will sell gems up to 20 March. A total of 310 pearl lots will be sold through competitive bidding and tender system at MGM starting from 8 to 10 March.

The local and foreign gem merchants were allowed to observe 380 gem lots to be sold by competitive bidding and tender system at MGM on 12 March.

The local and foreign merchants were allowed to observe a total of 5858 jade lots to be sold through competitive bidding and tender system at MCC till 12 March. The jade lots will be sold through competitive bidding and tender system at MCC from 12 to 20 March.

A total of 1,048 local and 981 foreign gem merchants arrived at the emporium.

Fire breaks out in Phaungpyin, Tamu, Nattalin, Thuwunna

Yangon, 8 March — Due to negligence, a fire broke out in Zigon Village of Mongnwe Village-tract in Phaungpyin Township, Sagaing Division, on 6 March. The fire destroyed 10 houses. Over 100 persons were left homeless.

Yesterday, a fire burnt down eight apartments at the market in Tamu. In the incident, one woman died from smoke.

The same day, a fire broke out on Saya San Road in Ayechantha Myothit of Nattalin, Bago Division. The fire caused by negligence destroyed two huts, and one woman died.

Today, a fire broke out at a house on Pawhsan Street of Ward 29 in Thuwunna of Thinga-ngyun Township. A total of 95 persons were also left homeless and 14 houses were gutted by the fire, which started from heating plastic balls.