Information Sheet No.B-1186(I)

[OKKAR66129@xxxxxxx]

MYANMAR INFORMATION COMMITTEE
YANGON

Information  Sheet
No.B-1186(I)                    18th December 1999

(1) Mahasantisukha Buddhist Missionary Centre Inaugurated

    A ceremony to inaugurate Mahasantisukha Buddhist Missionary Centre was 
held in the compound of the Centre, Tamway Township, Yangon on 17 December. 
This
Sasana Centre Institute is set up to fulfill the long awaited aspiration to 
churn out a wave of new vibrant Buddhist Missionary monks, after proper and 
comprehensive training. The monks and nuns from any country can come to this 
Sasana Institute to
participate in the study and Research Courses. On the occasion Secretary-1 
accepted US $ 100,000 donated by disciples of the Penang-Singapore Sayadaw 
from Penang-Singapore and Los Angeles. Then, messages of felicitations sent 
by Malaysia Buddhist Association, Singapore Buddhist Association, American 
Buddhist
Association, New Zeland Buddhist Association, Young Men Buddhist Association 
of Myanmar, Myanmar Buddhist Missionary Aphwechoke and Mahasi Buddha Sasana 
Nuggaha Aphwechoke were read by respective chairman and personnel.

(2) Symposium on Mobilization of Financial Resources for Development in 
Myanmar Begins

    The Symposium on Mobilization of Financial Resources for Development in 
Myanmar jointly sponsored by Myanmar Institute of Strategic and International
Studies and Institute of Southeast Asian Studies (Singapore), with the 
support of Sasakawa Peace Foundation (Japan) was held at the Ministry of 
Foreign
Affairs on 17 December. Present on the occasion were Deputy Minister for 
Foreign Affairs officials of Sasakawa Peace Foundation of Japan and Institute 
of
Southeast Asian Studies (Singapore), Ambassadors of ASEAN countries and 
embassy staff, the Japanese Ambassador and staff, officials of National AFTA 
Unit,
departmentals officials, scholars from universities, officials of the Union 
of Myanmar Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry, private banks, 
research paper writers from Japan, Indonesia, the Philippines, Malaysia, 
Singapore and Myanmar. On behalf of Minister for Foreign affairs and Minister 
for Finance and Revenue, Director-General of ASEAN Affairs Department and 
Governor of Central Bank of
Myanmar and Director Prof. Chia Siow Yue of ISEAS extended greetings. 
Chairman of Sasakawa Peace Foundation Mr.Setsuya Tabuchi presented a paper on
Internationalization of Yen. Before this symposium, the Workshop on 
Mobilization of Financial Resources for Development in Myanmar was held in 
Singapore from
29 to 30 October 1998 as a first phase for the whole research project. The 
present symposium is the final phase of the research project. Myanmar 
participants
from Institute of Economics,Central Bank of Myanmar Ministry of Finance and 
Revenue presented papers on the first-day symposium together with participants
from Japan and Singapore. The second-day of the symposium continues today. 

(3 )    First  Thanlyin Golf Open Continues
        
        The First Thanlyin Golf Open sponsored by Myanmar Golf Federation,   
Myanmar Professional Golfers'  Association  and Thanlyin Club  continued for 
the second day at thanlyin golf  club on 17 December.  After the second round 
of the Open, Win Naing Tun  and Myint  Thaung tied  at first place with 148  
strokes  each, followed by Myint Shwe with 149,  Hsum Tun  wish 150,  Min 
Lwin Oo  with 151,  Soe Kyaw Naing with 153,  Nay Win  Myint, Maung Maung 
tar, Myo Khaing and Aung Win tied with  154 each. The third round of the Open 
 continues on 18 December. 
  
( 4 )   Myanmar Two Millennia Conference Concludes
        
        A ceremony to concluded the Myanmar Two Millennia  Conference   
organized by  Universities Historical  Research Department  was held at 
International Business  centre on 17 December. Present on the occasion were 
Deputy Minister for Education ,  diplomats of foreign missions, departmental  
heads,  members of Myanmar Historical Commission and historical scholars  
from foreign countries, officials
of the Ministry of Education, resource persons  and guests. Director-General 
of Universities  Historical Research Department gave the concluding remarks. 
Resource persons from Myanmar and abroad presented 44 papers archaeology, 
history, fine arts, culture, Buddhism, economy, politics and law related to 
the Myanmar at the conference.