Information Sheet No.B-1191(I)

[OKKAR66129@xxxxxxx]

MYANMAR INFORMATION COMMITTEE
YANGON

Information Sheet
No.B-1191(I)                 23rd December 1999


(1)    Industrialists Urged to Broaden TheirIndustrial Knowledge

    Myanmar Industrial Producers Association (MIPA) held
its sixth meeting on 22 December at Kandawgyi Palace
Hotel addressed by Chairman of the Committee, Minister
for Industry-1. The minister emphasize the fact that
18 industrial zones--four in Yangon and others in
Mandalay, Mawlamyine, Myaungmya, Hinthada, Pathein,
Myeik, Monywa, Meiktila, Myingyan, Yenangyoung, Bago,
Pakokku, Pyay and Taunggyi--have been set up in the
nation. Arrangements are under way to encourage
agro-industries, machines industries and
export-substitute industries in the area where the
national industrialists will be grouped in a single
place. Measures such as fixing of the investment
period, offering of tax exemption and reduction  of
interest rates are being taken for the convenience of
industrialists. The private sector is in the reliable
position in the Myanmar's industrial sector. Nearly 72
per cent of the  net value or 96 per cent in number of
the industries in the nation is from the private
sector. Then, twenty-eight well-wishers made a cash
donation to the association. Chairman of MIPA U Htein
Win gave the concluding remarks.

(2) National Convention Convening Commission Meets

    The National Convention Convening Commission (NCCC)
held its meeting  at the meeting hall of NCCC on 22
December.The members of National Convention Convening
Management Committee reported to the meeting on
matters pertaining to convention. Those present on the
occasion  took part in the discussions.

(3) National Workshop on Priority Issues Affecting Women's Health and 
Development Opens

    National Workshop on the Priority Issues Affecting 
Women's  Health and Development  sponsored by National
Working Committee for Womens' Affairs opened at
International Business Centre on 22 December. Minister
for Health emphasize the fact that a regional 
workshop on violence against women and health  sector
was held from 12 January 1999 to 11 October 1999 in
Myanmar and it was attended  by delegates and  experts
from nine nations in the region. It should  be taken
pride for holding of international level workshop.
Myanmar is implementing Beijing Declaration and Work
Programmes laid down by the Fourth Women's Conference 
held in Beijing  in 1995  and  she became a member of 
Convention on the Elimination of  All Forms of
Discrimination against Women on 22 July 1997. In order
to systematically carry out  the Beijing  work
programmes, Women's Affairs Committees and Work
Committees at different levels were formed. The
government provided assistance to groups on education,
health and economy, working group for preventing 
violence against women and rehabilitation and group of
young women, environment and women and information
sectors are to be extended in the year 2000. Then, WHO
Resident Representative in Myanmar Dr. Agostino Borra
made a speech. The workshop continues till 24
December.

(4) Test Flight of Thailand-Mandalay Connection

    A Fokker-28  plane of Angel Air from Thailand arrived
on 22 December in Mandalay Airport as a test  flight
with the guidance  of Ministry of Hotels and  Tourism
and under the supervision of the Ministry of Transport
 and arrangement of Myanmar Voyage International 
Tourism Co Ltd. Deputy  Director-General  of Transport
Administration Department   and officials of Myanmar
Voyage International Tourism Co. Ltd welcomed Chairman
of Angel Air Mr Somchai Bencharongkul and officials,
Thailand-based 30 tour operators and guests on board.
The Chairman  of Angel Air and  party visited Maha
Muni Buddha Image, Myanansankyaw Golden Palace, and
Mandalay Hill.  Bangkok-Chiangmai-Mandalay  flight of
Angel  Air will operate thrice a week beginning 15
February 2000.

(5) Users' Workshop on Human Resources  Development Indicators Opens
 
    Users' Workshop  on Human Resources Development
Indicators jointly sponsored by Labour Department and
UN Fund for Population Activities (UNFPA) opened at
Traders Hotel on  22 December. Minister for Labour
emphasize the fact that this Users' Workshop on Human
Resources Development  Indicators is indeed an outcome
of the collaborative efforts of all responsible
organisations concerned. It is to be recalled that the
Ministry of Labour implemented the Project, titled ''
the Use of Human Resources Development Indictors for
Population and  Planning Process'' with the technical
assistance of UNFPA and  ILO  in 1995.  The duration
of the  Project lasted for 24-months. Upon completion
of the Project, a total of 55-Core Indicators have
been determined  for the first time along with the
Manual and the Handbook on HRD Indicators. 

    The accomplishments of this Project have formally
been submitted to the higher  authorities
concerned.Consequently, guidelines have been laid down
for reference of these indicators by the govermental
organisations in a uniform manner and for the
sustainability of these Indicators. A Core Working
Group has accordingly been formed by the Ministry of
Labour comprising the representatives from (7)
Ministries and (5)  Non-Governmental Organisations
with a view to carrying out the guidelines. The Core
Working  group has steadfastly been endeavouring for
updating the HRD- Indictors every year and followed by
a Users' Workshop  of this kind subsequently.