Information Sheet N0. A-0846 (I)

[OKKAR66129@xxxxxxx]

Myanmar Information Committee
Yangon
Information Sheet
N0. A-0846 (I) 23rd March  1999 	

(1)		Myanmar Delegation Back from Third ASEAN Finance  Ministers Meeting 	in
Hanoi
		Myanmar delegation led by Minister for Finance and Revenue arrived back
Yangon on 22 March after attending the Third ASEAN Finance Ministers Meeting
held in Hanoi, Vietnam, from 19 to 20 March. The Third ASEAN Finance Ministers
Meeting was held at Hanoi Daewoo Hotel. Present on the occasion were Finance
Ministers from ASEAN nations, ASEAN Secretary-General Mr. Rodolfo C Severino
and delegates from World Bank, International Monetary Fund and Asian
Development Bank. Prime Minister of Vietnam Mr. Phan Van Khai delivered an
address. 
		The meeting was presided over by Finance Minister of Vietnam Mr. Nguyen Sinh
Hung and ASEAN Finance Ministers exchanged views on monetary and economic
matters in the region and discussed promotion of cooperation in development of
monetary and economic affairs. In his discussion, Minister for Finance &
Revenue (Myanmar) said various works on economic development are being
implemented with added momentum for building of a peaceful, modern and
developed nation and works to be done in cooperation with ASEAN nations are
being carried out fully.
		Regarding the measures on economic development, the government provides
modern techniques in extended cultivation for participation of private
entrepreneurs in agriculture. As a result, it will be useful not only in
Myanmar but also in the region as a whole. Continued cooperation is to be
carried out for development of finance in ASEAN nations and economic
stability, he said. The ASEAN ministers and delegates from WB, IMF and ADB
discussed monetary development in ASEAN region and cooperation. A press
conference of ASEAN ministers was also held and the meeting ended on 20 March.

(2)		National Convention Convening Commission Meets
		National Convention Convening Commission held its meeting at the Commission
Office on 22 March. The Secretary of the Commission reported on national
convention, matters on National Convention Work Committee and Management
Committee. Members of the Commission took part in the discussions. Chairman of
NCCC discussed the reports. 

(3)		Seminar on Hospital Adminstration Opens
		Seminar on Hospital Administration, sponsored by Medical Science Department
of the Ministry of Health, opened at the Institute of Nursing on 22 March.  In

recent years Myanmar has initiated health sector reforms so that resources
are
used efficiently as possible-- both in terms of maximum health gain for the
funds invested and minimum cost for the range of services.
		The hospital care system in Myanmar comprises of Township Hospital which is
the first referral level, the District and the State/Division Hospitals as the
second referral level and the Specialist Hospitals as the tertiary referral
level. 
		The health sector reforms that are being implemented by the Ministry of
Health are upgrading of hospitals in terms of the number of beds, extension of
specialist services up to the level of the district hospital, provision of
medical and diagnostic equipment according to the requirements of different
specialities. To be able to meet with the changing requirements of
administration and management of various levels of hospitals, the Ministry of
Health has conducted in-service training courses on hospital administration
and also a diploma course for hospital administration has recently been opened
at the Institutes of Medicine.The seminar continues on 23 March.

(4)		19.4 Kilos of Opium Seized 
		Two men were nabbed after being discovered in possession of 11 packets of
opium weighing 19.4 kilos. Acting on information, a combined team including
members of the local intelligence unit and Myanmar Police Force, searched the
house of Paung Shin of Takwin Village, Mohnyin Township, Kachin State on 9
March and arrested Maung Aik of Mingon Village, Mokaung Township, who was in
the house together with the narcotic drugs hidden in a pick-up car. Action has
been taken against them. 

(5)		Japanese Ambassador's Wife and Party Donate Cash to MMCWA
		A ceremony to donate cash towards the funds of Myanmar Maternal and Child
Welfare Association by Chairperson of Embassy Staff's wives of the Japanese
Embassy in Myanmar, wife of the Ambassador of Japan Mrs. Taeko Asakai and
party was held at MMCWA building in Yangon on 22 March. The cash donated by
the Japanese Embassy will be used in implementation of nutrition plan for
under-five children being carried out by MMCWA and it will be handed over to
Bahan and Hlinethaya Township MMCWAs.

(6)		Minister Meets Officials of JPFP and APDA
		Minister for Immigration and Population met five Diet members led by 
Mr. Shoumei Yokouchi of Japan Parliamentarians Federation for Population
(JPFP) and three members of Asian Population and Development Association
(APDA) who called at his office on 22 March.

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