UNDCP appeals for more aid for opium reduction projects: THE United Nations Drug Control Program says international aid is desperately needed to ensure that Myanmar can sustain opium reduction programs... Megawati calls for common Asean strategy on tourism: INDONESIA?s President Megawati Sukarnoputri last Friday opened Southeast Asia?s first major tourism meeting since the September 11 attacks dealt the industry a worldwide blow, urging the region to work closely together to repair the damage... Myanmar announces plan to build nuclear research reactor with Russian technology: THE GOVERNMENT says it plans to build a nuclear research reactor and is negotiating with Russia over the facility... Myanmar, Thai firms agree on joint fisheries operation in south: MYANMAR Fisheries International JV Limited and Thailand?s TTC Fishery have signed an important agreement to jointly fish in Myanmar territorial waters off Tanintharyi Division... We must overcome digital divide: S1: SECRETARY 1 of the State Peace and Development Council, Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt, has assured the Myanmar computer industry that the government is committed to the development of Information and Communications Technology... Wa project highlights what can be achieved: THE United Nations Drug Control Program says the elimination of opium cultivation from a valley in eastern Shan State is an example of what can be achieved when adequate funding is available for crop-substitution and other development projects... Private operators meet consumer need for alternative power source: SMALL-SCALE independent operators are filling a niche market in Yangon for electricity supply... VSAT speeds up bank transactions: ONE of Myanmar?s leading private banks is providing faster banking transactions through a satellite-based VSAT (very small aperture terminal) network... Goodwill visit by Chinese official: THE secretary general of the State Council of the People?s Republic of China, Mr Wang Zhongyu, ended a four-day visit last Wednesday after holding talks with Myanmar leaders. Mr Wang, who is also the president of China?s National School of Administration, focused his talks with Myanmar leaders on aid for human resources development projects... Cooperation crucial to growth of Myanmar?s emerging IT sector: MYANMAR?S information technology sector promised to contribute to the nation?s economic development but there were still many challenges to overcome, the Minister for Communication, Post and Telegraph, Brig-Gen Thein Zaw, said last week... Risk assessment a focus for bankers: LOAN analysis and the systematic management of borrowers? operations were the focus of a five-day seminar attended by 30 representatives from government and private banks and about 10 Japanese experts in Yangon last week... Region confronts spectre of al-Qaeda: SOUTHEAST Asian governments, which had fought traditional insurgencies for decades, are coming to grips with a new and more potent form of terrorism unleashed by Saudi militant Osama bin Laden?s al-Qaeda network, analysts say... Spare the tamarind trees: THE production of incense sticks, which requires thin pieces of bamboo and pulp made from wood, is causing environmental concerns... MICT Park creates jobs: THE opening of the Myanmar Information Communication Technology Park is expected to provide some exciting job opportunities for computer programmers... The five amigos leave town, but not without sharing some secrets: FIVE Mexican chefs left Yangon earlier this month after a six-week culinary exchange program arranged by the Myanmar Chefs Association and the Mexican Culinary Institute... Japanese government considers further boost in technical assistance program: THE Japanese government?s overseas aid agency is considering increasing its technical assistance allocation to Myanmar next financial year, its resident representative, Mr Toshimichi Aoki, said last week... Six-year plan to create jobs in rural areas: MYANMAR was among 13 regional countries represented at a meeting of the Centre on Integrated Rural Development for Asia and the Pacific held in Nepal earlier this month... Hong Kong investors put $2m into Myanmar garment factory: A Hong Kong-based company has begun making children?s clothing for the Japanese market at its factory which opened in Yangon?s Mingaladon Township last Wednesday. Malaysian private hospitals stage promotion in Yangon: MALAYSIAN private hospitals are hoping to attract more patients from Myanmar. A delegation representing some of the best known private hospitals in Malaysia was in Yangon last week to promote their services... Seminar addresses global fight against HIV-AIDS: THE political commitment to the fight against HIV-AIDS has been demonstrated by the presence of the Minister of Health, Maj-Gen Ket Sein, and the Deputy Minister, Dr Kyaw Myint, at a conference about the global epidemic...Sweet export outlook for sugar prompts government call for production increase: THE government has urged sugarcane farmers to increase production amid predictions that export earnings from the crop will soar 500 per cent this year, to US$25 million...Oilfield deal with China aims to increase output: EXPLORATION work is due to begin at the Pyay oilfield in the coming months as part of an agreement with China to increase production of crude oil and natural gas...Timeout takes a special look at Yangon and Myanmar?s art scene...Wine Watch... A Dragon's Tale... A Treasury Of Photographs... Artistic Ideas From Abroad... Ba Sa Malai? A Fool For You.