Business news from Myanmar (28 Sept

[dohrs@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx]

Subject: Business news from Myanmar (28 September 1999) 

MyaBuzz
Business news from Myanmar (28 September 1999)

C O N T E N T S
0928-01 Myanmar Highlights Health Issues
0928-02 Calls for Local Made Spare Parts Up
0928-03 Border Trade Goods Exempted from Commercial Tax Listed
0928-04 Digital Phones for Rakhine State in Southwest Myanmar
0928-05 Companies In Brief
==============================================
0928-01 Myanmar Highlights Health Issues
** Myanmar's government has given guidance on ensuring equal progress in
Mandalay, the center of upper Myanmar, and in Yangon, the hub of lower
Myanmar. In line with this guidance, efforts are being made in building
specialist hospitals and specialist health care units in Mandalay and in
providing medical equipment.

With advanced equipment readily available in Mandalay, the people in the
up-country do not have to go to the capital, Yangon. The arrangement will
enable them to have access to advanced health services most conveniently.

Meanwhile, plans are under way to set up specialist hospitals installed
with modern medical equipment to cure major diseases in Myanmar as the
nation has physicians who have completed the international-level medical
education. The Ministry of Health, the Directorate of Medical Services of
Defense Services and experts are to coordinate to implement the plans; and
the government will provide necessary assistance.

Traditional medicine too continues to play a major role in providing health
care services to the vast number of the people. Relevant laws and rules for
the upgrading and systematization of traditional medicine have been
introduced.

A 50-bed hospital was opened in Mandalay and another 50-bed hospital is
under construction in Yangon for progress of traditional medicine. Courses
and seminars are being organized for further advancement of traditional
medicine.

The National Health Committee, in cooperation with the public and
non-governmental organizations such as the Union Solidarity and Development
Association and Myanmar Maternal and Child Welfare Association, is
implementing the National Health Plan. Since energetic efforts have been
made and considerable success achieved, the World Health Organization has
extended due recognition.

Continued cooperation between the government, the public and the NGOs will
achieve better results and every citizen is duty-bound to help realize the
motto, Health for All by the Year 2000.

0928-02 Calls for Local Made Spare Parts Up
** A seminar and an exhibition on diesel locomotive, carriage and spare
parts of Myanma Railways were held at Insein Locomotive Workshop.

According to government reports, foreign exchange expenditure increased,
for spare parts of the locomotives were imported annually. So Myanmar
Railways has made efforts to produce the parts based on forces in the
country.

The exhibition continues till 24 October 1999.

0928-03 Border Trade Goods Exempted from Commercial Tax Listed
** Materials imported via road transport to be used in Myanmar border areas
such as Boke Pyin near Mawlamyaing (in Southern Myanmar), Myeik, Kawthaung
(near Myanmar and Thailand Southern areas) are exempted from commercial
tax.  These include cement, nails, concrete blocks, and galvanized iron
sheets.  Other items exempted from the said tax are products that are
associated in agriculture like machineries, seedlings, and fertilizers.

0928-04 Digital Phones for Rakhine State in Southwest Myanmar
** Starting from April 1999, Rakhine can now call directly to anywhere in
the country.  For the past 20 years, they can only call through telephone
exchanges.  The cost to get one phone is about Kyats 350,000, which is
roughly equivalent to US$ 1,000.   This August these same phones were also
IDD activated.  This is good news to merchants and is especially important,
as Myanmar's Rakhine state is a bustling fish port area.  Many fisheries
industries are based here.

0928-05 Companies In Brief
** Every Tuesday Myabuzz will include news about companies operating in
Myanmar.  These may be trivia or information about the companies' business
in the country:

Secretary of Myanma Investment Commission met with the visiting Managing
Director of Sichuan Dikang Pharmaceutical Industry Stock Co Ltd of Sichuan
Province of China recently. The Chinese pharmaceuticals especially from
Sichuan province and Yunnan province bordering Myanmar are familiar with
Myanmar market since the early 80's. Medicines are brought into the country
by Myanmar merchants the via Myanmar-China border.

The Thai Cosmetic Company, ICC Company Ltd has recently introduced its
various skin care products for Myanmar ladies.  They invite ladies to try
their products during their promotion blitz starting on the 17 of September
up to October 5.  The company will use its skincare products as well as
modern equipment and techniques to educate ladies to care for their skin.
ICC Co, Ltd will stage the demonstration session of skincare products in 6
shopping centers and beauty saloons.
==============================================================
MyaBuzz is available via email 5 days a week except holidays.
For subscriptions or queries, email Pornjit at thaibuzz@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
==============================================================