INFORMATION SHEET NO.A-0308(I)

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                             INFORMATION SHEET
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    NO.A-0308(I)                                                           5th
February   1998

1)		Hut-to-Highrise Scheme Markedly Improves Social Life and Living
			Standards of the Populace
		A meeting was held on 4 February at Department of Human Settlement and
Housing Development to make assessment on advanced housing projects which are 
being implemented in accord with the requirements of Yangon city.  Speaking on
the occasion, Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen
Khin Nyunt said people?s life and social standards are significantly improving
as DHSHD and Yangon City Development Committee in cooperation with private
contractors are 
implementing advanced housing projects in Yangon, applying the hut-to-highrise
scheme. The hut-to-highrise scheme has improved the living standards of city
dwellers, 
ensuring them convenience and peace of mind and enabling them to own houses,
it is a public welfare programme.  Yangon in the past was not in accord with
characteristics of a city as it had squatters and buildings settled on
unoccupied State-owned land. 
 Majority of people are happy with the scheme, which is modernizing Yangon to 
possess characteristics of a city and raising their social life.  
		People of some wards in Yangon are requesting to introduce the scheme in
their quarters as the system is winning success and markedly uplifting the
lives of the ordinary people. The hut-to-highrise scheme is a successful
programme which is being implemented continuously as it brings better health
conditions for the families who have been relocated at the new buildings and
the residents of surrounding areas and help promote allround social
development.  Sound and just arrangements are required for the benefit of the
majority as the Government is implementing the non-profit scheme but for the
betterment of people, he said, urging private contractors to place in the fore
the public benefit with sincere goodwill while weighing to have an equal
interest-ratio 
between them and the majority.  Sincere goodwill and united and harmonious
efforts among DHSHD and YCDC, key players of the scheme, and contractors and
local 
authorities are required as speedy implementation of the task depends on their
collective ability, he pointed out.  Participants discussed plans to provide
construction materials sufficiently and condition of housing projects being
implemented by 
contractors.

(2)		35th Myanma Gems Emporium 4-9 March
		A meeting to review Mid-year Myanma Gems Emporium held in October took place
at Myanma Gems Emporium Hall on Kaba Aye Pagoda Road on 4 February in
conjunction with a coordination meeting on the 35th Myanma Gems Emporium to be
held in March.  Officials concerned presented reports on the mid-year gems
emporium and arrangements for gems to be displayed at the 35th Myanma Gems
Emporium.  Members of the Central Committee gave suggestions on the 35th
Myanma Gems 
Emporium.  The meeting approved that the 35th Myanma Gems Emporium will be
held from 4 to 9 March.

OFFICE CALLS IN YANGON ON 4 FEBRUARY

(A)		Minister for Energy received General Manager Mr J Murai and party of 
Marubeni Corporation of Japan at his office.
(B)		Minister for Finance and Revenue received General Manager Mr Andreas 
A Hoffmann of Deutsche Bank AG at his office.  The Minister also received
General Manager Mr H Sagara of Marubeni Corporation of Japan and party at his
office.
(C)		Minister for Livestock and Fisheries received Chairman Mr Prasert
Poongkumarn of CP Agro Business Group of Thailand and party at his office.
(D)		Deputy Minister for Health received General Manager of Core Healthcare
Limited Mr GR Inthyanandam and party at his office.

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