Landmark agreement reached on direct road link Bangladesh visit begins ‘new era?: A VISIT to Dhaka last week by the Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council, Senior General Than Shwe, was hailed as marking the start of a "new era" in bilateral relations by the Bangladeshi Prime Minister, Begum Khaleda Zia... Mega dam project for Shan State: A THAI company has reached agreement with the government to build a massive hydro-electric dam on the Than Lwin River in southern Shan State... Speeding blamed for rise in accidents: THE number of traffic accidents in Yangon to the end of November increased over the same period last year despite a range of measures to improve road safety, government figures show... Ambassador stresses ‘crucial? role of education: SCHOLARSHIP programs were a cornerstone of Germany?s cooperation with developing countries, the German ambassador, Dr Klaus Wild, told a workshop in Yangon last week... Myanmar, US at odds on drugs decision: MYANMAR and the United States have made different assessments about a decision due by President George Bush on cooperation with Washington in drug control...Thai carrier launches service to Mandalay: A CEREMONY at Man-dalay International Airport on December 16 welcomed the inaugural flight from Bangkok of Thailand?s Phuket Airlines, the fifth carrier to launch a service to Myanmar in 2002... In the Capitol a talkfest on Myanmar: WHILE the hard rhetoric of the United States government may have been the most noticeable news event to come out of a high-level conference on Myanmar held in Washington in late November, a much more subtle approach to Myanmar issues is pervading international discussion... A fresh start for EU, US?: THE strategic significance of Myanmar in the war against terrorism demands the United States and its allies take a fresh, realistic, new look at their policies toward this major Southeast Asian nation... Demand rises for tourism sector training courses: DEMAND for skilled personnel in the hospitality and tourism sector has corresponded with a sharp increase in enrolments for some training courses, a Myanmar Times survey has found...Nature education centre opens in Kachin State: AN education centre aimed at raising awareness about the importance of conservation work in one of the country?s richest nature and wildlife areas has opened at Putao in the far north of Kachin State... Shipyards find export market: MYANMAR Shipyards have almost completed the construction of an 800-tonne ship for delivery to Singaporean company in March, shipyard officials said... Local coffee for Singapore: SINGAPORE?s Coffee and Herbs Pte agreed to buy 200 tonnes of Myanmar robusta coffee from Myanma Farms Enterprise last week... Merchants research the Chinese market: A MYANMAR delegation comprising 28 forest products and timber merchants agreed that China is an important market for Myanmar products after a 15-day trip to the country last month... Govt agencies win awards: TWO government agencies have received excellence awards from a Spain-based organisation which each year honours firms whose products or services are regarded as deserving universal acclaim... Hungry market for fish food: What would a restaurant be without having fresh fish or shrimp on the menu? One might think that these dishes come straight from the sea on the plate but many of these mouthwatering species were raised in fish or prawn farms... Job outlook brightens for seamen: THE Myanmar Overseas Seafarers Association says a decision to issue membership cards to all merchant seamen has greatly improved their prospects for finding employment. The MOSA joint general secretary, U Min Zaw, said the world?s two biggest ship owners organisations, in Greece and Japan respectively, were keen to employ merchant seamen from Myanmar as long as they were accredited by the association... Secretary 1 praises work of engineers: THE role played by engineers in national development has been praised by Secretary 1 of the State Peace and Development Council, General Khin Nyunt.