Goal to create an East Asia community, $3b in pledges ASEAN wooed by Tokyo summit: TOKYO – Japan and the 10 members of ASEAN last Friday set the ambitious goal of creating an East Asian community as Tokyo pledged US$3 billion in aid for training and to develop areas along the Mekong River during the next three years... U Win Aung to attend Thai forum: THE Foreign Minister, U Win Aung, will travel to Bangkok this week to attend a multilateral forum on the plan for a transition to democracy in Myanmar, the Thai government said last week.The forum, on December 15, will focus on the roadmap for a transition to democracy unveiled on August 30 by the Prime Minister, General Khin Nyunt... Myanmar features in film epic: SHYAM Benegal, one of India?s most eminent directors, spent last week in Myanmar shooting the final segments of an ambitious film.Netaji Subhas – The Last Hero is devoted to five years in the life of ‘Netaji? Subhas Chandra Bose, an Indian freedom fighter who launched an offensive against British colonial forces... FM to attend highway talks in New Delhi: THE Foreign Minister, U Win Aung, is due to travel to New Delhi next week for talks with his Indian and Thai counterparts on building a highway linking the three countries, an official source said last week.The meeting on December 23 is expected to finalise technical and funding issues for the 1400-kilometre transna-tional highway, the source said... INSIDE THIS WEEK - R E V I E W 2003: A FRESH commitment by the government to restore constitutional rule was the highlight of 2003, which was also marked by increased economic and political support for Myanmar from the big Asian powers, China and India... A time for hope and rejuvenation: Throughout much of the western world, Christmas and the arrival of the New Year is a time for celebration, giving renewal and reflection. For most of the global community, New Year is also a time for being with family and friends. It?s a time to take stock of the achievements of the past 12 months and to plan for a brighter future... THE YEAR THAT WAS: THE Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council, Senior General Than Shwe, paid a six-day visit to China that began January 6. The visit was the first by a Myanmar leader since the changes in the leadership of the Chinese Communist Party last November which saw the Vice President, Mr Hu Jintao, took over from Mr Jiang as secretary-general... HELP FROM NGO?S: France-based AMI provides HIV-AIDS and health education in schools and communities in Dala Township in Yangon Division. It also provides treatment for those who have sexually transmitted infections and encourages birth spacing... A Cultural evolution: As every year passes by, changes in the art scene as well as the continued effects of traditional culture are seen but mostly these changes are barely discernable... A BRIGHTER CITY: THE Yangon City Development Committee made further important contributions to the capital?s development and modernisation in 2003, with a series of big infrastructure projects and continued efforts to create a greener and cleaner urban environment... Agriculture: The Back-bone: THE most outstanding development in the agriculture sector in 2003 was the government?s decision in April to liberalise the rice trade, a move with far-reaching implications for production of the country?s staple crop... More chicken: 2004 focus: CHICKEN has long been the favorite curry in Myanmar. It is a typical cuisine served with cooked rice on all occasions, auspicious or not. Second in line is pork, which is more popular in rural areas... K150m school for blind children to open this week in Sagaing: THE government opens its second school for blind children in Sagaing on December 16 at a ceremony to be attended by the Minister of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement, Major-General Sein Htwar... Text book to aid road safety campaign: THE Traffic Rules Enforcement Supervisory Committee has prepared a text book outlining traffic and pedestrian rules as part of an education campaign aimed at reducing road accidents... Exhibitions to place spotlight on horticulture, cooperatives: A 30-day horticultural exhibition organised by Yangon City Development Committee will open at the Mindhama field in Mayangone township on January 1 to coincide with the 56th anniversary of Independence Day on January 4... Myanma Gem Enterprise holds auction for uncut jade: MYANMA Gem Enterprise is inviting bids for uncut jade produced from gem mining companies involved in joint ventures with the government... Myanmar and Thailand to start account trade: Account trade between Myanmar and Thailand will be implemented next year, according to U Sein Win Hlaing, general secretary of Union of Myanmar Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry... Lanscaping helps to increase home value: IN the past ten years landscaping has become more popular in Myanmar, with home owners and property developers realising its potential for increasing the value of property, according to industry sources... Yangon hosts ASEAN forums: BUSINESS leaders and government officials from Southeast Asian countries gathered in Yangon last week to discuss the development of tourism and agriculture in the region.