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Information Sheet N0. A-0917 (I)



MYANMAR INFORMATION COMMITTEE
YANGON
Information  Sheet
	
N0. A-0917 (I)                 23rd May  1999 
	
(1)		Gyaing (Kawkareik) Bridge Inaugurated in Kayin State

		Gyaing (Kawkareik) Bridge built by Public Works in Hpa-an 
Township, Kayin State, was opened on 22 May morning. Kayin State is 
witnessing smooth transport and more rapid flow of commodities after 
inauguration of Thanlwin Bridge (Hap-an), and for development of Kayin and 
Mon States, Attaran Bridge and Gyaing (Zarthabyin) Bridge have been put into 
service. The government has spent over K 2.2 billion on the projects for  
development of Kayin State while endeavours are being made for uplift of 
social standard of the nationalities and national reconsolidation. The bridge 
would bring about social, economic, development and solidarity in the region 
and one can directly travel along the 274-mile Yangon-Hpa-an-Myawady road by 
land. The Gyaing (Kawkareik) Bridge, the third one in Kayin State, Links 
Hpa-an and Kawkareik Townships. Two other bridges were opened on 3 August 
1997 and 24 March 1999. The suspension Bridge based on reinforced concrete 
piles was built across Gyaing River near Gyaing Village. It is 1,200 feet 
long and 24 feet wide and can stand 45 tons. Clearance of the bridge is 360 
feet wide and 40 feet high. 
Construction started on 26 June 1997 and completed the bridge within 21 
months. It was built at a cost of K 855 million and US $ 0.892 million.

(2)		Delegates of 37th Meeting of ASEAN COST Leave after 
Successful 
		Completion of Meeting

		Delegates of Science and Technology Committees of ASEAN 
member countries  and the ASEAN Secretariat who attended the 37th Meeting of 
the ASEAN COST left Yangon by air  for home on 21 May. Chairman of the 37th 
Meeting of the ASEAN COST Chairman of Science and Technology committee of 
Singapore Mr Chong Lit cheong left Yangon by air on 21 May evening. The 
delegates of Singapore will leave Yangon on 23 May.

(3)		Seminar on Year 2000 computer Problem Held

		The opening ceremony of Seminar on the Year 2000 Computer 
Problem sponsored by Myanmar Computer Federation (MCF) and Association for 
Overseas Technical Scholarship (AOTS) of Japan supported by Ministry of 
International Trade and Industry (MITI), Japan, was held at Traders Hotel on 
22 May morning. The seminar was attended by Minister at the State Peace and 
Development Council Chairman's Office Brig-Gen Abel; Chairman of Myanmar 

National Committee on Y2K Work Programme, Minister for Communication, Post 
and Telegraph; Deputy Minister for Science and Technology; Director of MITI, 
Japan, Mr Soichi Nagamaisu and officers; Chairman of AOTS of Japan Mr Kanical 
Ito and officers; Managing Director of Japan External Trade Organization 
(JETRO) Mr Yo Shihiro Araka; heads of department, small and medium 
entrepreneurs and guests. 

		Myanmar National Committee on Y2K Work Programme was set up 
on January 22, 1999 to be headed by the Minister for Communications, Posts 
and Telegraphs with responsible persons from ministries and computer 
associations and experts as members. Soon after the emergence of the 
Committee, Seminar on Y2K: First Challenge to Millennium was successfully 
held by Myanmar Computer Scientists Association and Myanmar Computer 
Industries Association at the International Business Centre. At the seminar, 
six papers were presented to the participants which include heads of 
government departments that are using computers, private businessmen, and 
especially heads of banks and wide discussions followed. Three sub-committees 
have been formed to deal with the Y2K problem smoothly. These are: Y2K 
Awareness Subcommittee, Problem Identification Sub-committee, and Problem 
Solving Sub-committee.

		For Government offices and private banks to be able to 
identify Y2K problem, the explanation was given to different ministries on 
how to fill up data forms to capture data on hardware, software, operation 
system, databases and embedded system at the Communication and Postal 
Training Centre on January 29, 1999. By the same token, the explanation of 
the forms for problem analysis was also made at Central Bank of Myanmar to 
heads and computer operators from public and private banks. Newspapers and 
Myanmar Radio and Television and other services also devoted their articles 
and discussion programmes on facts about Y2K to educate the public. Data on 
Y2K had been collected from government offices, private enterprises and banks 
since 28 February. Results of the survey on 37 government organizations and 
21 private banks were presented in a report which was submitted by the 
subcommittee to the national committee on the 31 March. Y2K compliance was 
found in 34% of special purpose packages, 56% of custom applications, 47% of 
databases and 20% of electronically controlled embedded system. It was found 
that un-compliance was 22%, 33%, 34%, and 8% in respective fields. It can be 
concluded that Y2K will not be an insurmountable problem in Myanmar. However, 
further studies need to be done on embedded systems. As for Myanmar, friendly 
countries have offered to help Myanmar prepare for the problem. Accordingly, 
coordinations were carried out with those countries which offered to help, 
and this seminar is one of the results. The survey was led by Japanese expert 
Mr Ohwaki  and conducted from 12 May to 20 May, 1999. The report has already 
been submitted and it will be discussed in this seminar. Similarly, through 
MITI's arrangements, Japanese expert Mr Ogata from Japan Information Services 
Industry Association (JISA), in co-operation with AOTS, this Seminar on the 

Year 2000 Computer Problem is being held today. 

		Director of MITI Mr Soichi Nagamatsu and Chairman of AOTS Mr 
Kanichi Ito extended greetings. General Manager of JISA Mr Akira Ogata 
explained about the meaning of the Year 2000 computer problem, works of 
Japanese computer utilizing and preparation works for Year 2000 computer 
problem. Those present took part in the discussions.

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