THE Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement organized a virtual meeting to provide food aid to internally displaced persons in Rakhine State on 28 December. Union Minister Dr Win Myat Aye and his deputy minister made discussions with Rakhine State Security and Border Affairs Minister, the Permanent Secretary, the Director-General and other officials of Rakhine State government.

At the meeting, the Union Minister talked about the current ration of rice for the IDPs in a monthly basis and providing relief assistance transparently.

Rakhine State Security and Border Affairs Minister briefed the efforts of state govenment to avoid food shortage problems for IDPs, difficulties in collecting list of IDPs due to some security concerns, misunderstanding among the IDPs who were not present when the rice was distributed at the temporary shelters, cooperation work with relevent departments and media expressions.

Officials at the meeting also discussed the facts including cooperation work with regional organizations in collecting data of IDPs, response to media reports by using accurate information, report on the lists of IDPs by the heads of camps and village administrators, support of international organizations and contracts with Rakhine State Chambers of Commerce and Industry to purchase quality rice. The Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement has been providing food aids and other assistance to IDPs in Rakhine State in cooperation with the state government since December 2018. The ministry has spent K6 billion, including K5.739 billion for rice and over K245 million for other relief items until December 2020.

MNA

(Translated by Khine Thazin Han)

Photo: MNA

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The Ministry of Labour, Immigration and Population released its core reports of the 2019 Interim Census at its headquarters in Nay Pyi Taw yesterday afternoon.

Union Minister U Thein Swe, in his capacity of Chairperson of the census taking central committee, Deputy Minister U Myint Kyaing, the Permanent Secretary and Directors-General attended the ceremony in line with COVID-19 related guidelines.

UNFPA Representative for Myanmar Mr Ramanathan Balakrishnan and other officials from UN organizations, NGOs, and INGOs also participated in the ceremony via videoconferencing.

During the ceremony, the Union Minister said that the preliminary results were announced on 31 August 2020 after the interim census, and it was conducted before the COVID-19 pandemic.

Demographic and socio-economic data were included in 110 questions in taking the census, and it was aimed at supporting the National Indicator Framework to monitor and assess progress in implementing the Myanmar Sustainable Development Plan.

In the Interim Census, drinking water quality surveys were widely carried out for the first time in Myanmar to collect reliable statistics in implementing development works of the country. The central committee tried to improve the quality of the 2019 Interim Census because solid statistical data are needed in drafting national development policies and carrying out development projects.

He said that the Interim Census covers only the population of normal households; it does not cover the homeless population.

During the ceremony, UNFPA Representative Mr Ramanathan Balakrishnan, via Zoom application, explained their support for the Interim Census.

The Interim Census covered 132,092 households, and a total of 548,553 people were surveyed. Drinking water quality surveys were also conducted in 19,077 households. Following the release of the core reports, detailed research papers and policy recommendations will be further developed.

MNA

(Translated by Maung Maung Swe)

Photo: MNA

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A total of 170 Myanmar citizens including seamen who were stranded in foreign countries – 40 from Bangladesh and 130 from the Republic of Korea – because of the suspension of commercial flights returned home by relief flight yesterday.

The Myanmar Embassy in Dhaka organized the relief flight of Myanmar Airways International to repatriate the 40 Myanmar nationals from the Bangladesh. The flight landed at the Yangon International Airport in the afternoon.

The Myanmar Embassy in Seoul and the Crew Change Supporting Committee (Myanmar) organized the relief flight of Myanmar Airways International to bring back 130 Myanmar seamen home from ROK. The flight landed at the Yangon International Airport in the evening.

The group of Myanmar seamen included 80 from the ROK, 2 from Panama, 27 from Japan, 1 from Canada, 4 from USA, 4 from Singapore, 2 from Britain, 7 from UAE and 3 from Hong Kong.

The Ministry of Labour, Immigration and Population, the Ministry of Health and Sports and the Yangon Region government provided them with proper medical tests and arranged 7-day quarantine at specific places or designated hotels, followed by the 7-day home quarantine.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been working with Myanmar embassies in foreign countries and ministries concerned and shipping companies to bring back citizens stranded abroad due to the suspension of international commercial flights, in accordance with the guidance of the National-Level Central Committee on Prevention, Control and Treatment of COVID-19.

—MNA

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MYANMAR Ambassador to Thailand and party visited Myanmar migrant workers in Mahachai seafood market in Samut Sakhon Province, Thailand, where the coronavirus outbreak was occurring, on 24 December.

The ambassador and party gave words of encouragement and provided foodstuff to the Myanmar migrant workers and also held meeting with Thai authorities on providing necessary assistance to the migrant workers.

Officials from the Myanmar Embassy in Bangkok and labour diplomats have been in contact with the Myanmar migrant workers since 19 December and provided necessary assistance.

During the meeting with Samut Sakhon Province’s authorities, the ambassador discussed matters relating to appointment of interpreters for smooth communication between Thai officials and Myanmar migrant workers and provision of necessary healthcare assistance.

Following the 18 Myanmar migrant workers being discarded by an employer from Samut Sakhon Province in Samut Prakan Province, Myanmar labour diplomats held meeting with officials from the Department of Employment in Samut Prakan Province and provided shelters, foods and medical tests for COVID-19.

All of the 18 Myanmar migrant workers tested negative for COVID-19 in the first-time testing. Officials from the Myanmar Embassy and labour diplomats are working on the migrant workers getting employment in Thailand. The embassy officials and labour diplomats are working on providing necessary assistance including healthcare, accommodation, foods and psychological assistance for the Myanmar migrant workers in Mahachai seafood market where the coronavirus outbreak was occurring.

— MNA

Translated by Kyaw Zin Tun

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MYANMAR Avocado Producer and Exporter Association organized the third Annual General Assembly virtually yesterday.

Speaking at the online meeting, Union Minister for Commerce Dr Than Myint said that the ministry was not only promoting free trade in local but also easing trade restrictions for exporters, importers and farmers getting profits and would encourage the development of fruits and vegetable sector and promotion of exports.

He extended congratulations on the good results of exporting avocado samples to UK market and expressed thanks to the organizations like USAID and UKaid for their assistance.

Not only Singapore and China but also UK, Germany and the Netherlands have demands for avocados.

The ministry, in cooperation with relevant organizations, is making efforts to produce value added products from fruits and to export the value added products.

Despite coronavirus, the ministry is creating markets via internet and commercial attachés, he added, saying that it is necessary to create new markets and to effectively export the products to the existing markets.

Director-General of Agriculture Department of the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation, Chair of Myanmar Avocado Producer and Exporter Association, and Secretary General of UMFCCI made greeting remarks.

Commercial Attaché from the Myanmar Embassy in Singapore explained about the avocado market, and officials from the association presented their relevant issues.

The event was also participated in by Deputy Minister for Commerce U Aung Htoo, Permanent Secretary and Directors-General, Myanmar Avocado Producer and Exporter Association’s Chair and executive members, officials, farmers, export companies and experts.

—MNA

Translated by Kyaw Zin Tun

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MYANMAR Rice Federation held its Annual Meeting and General Assembly yesterday.

Union Minister for Commerce Dr Than Myint delivered a video message to the event.

In his video message, the Union Minister said that Myanmar is an agricultural nation, and rice was a major crop cultivated for staple food of the country and exporting if exceeded locally, stressing the importance of grasping opportunities for sustainable development of the agriculture sector despite COVID-19 pandemic challenges.

He also highlighted the need to develope the crop production rate, to reduce the production costs, to provide the logistics system and production processes in order to produce competitive or quality products.

The Union Minister also said the government is making efforts to cooperate with the international countries, to achieve technical aids and foreign investment for the development of the country’s economy. He also stressed the new market for farming products and crops in addition to rice via online platforms while rice is set as a priority sector in National Export Strategy (NES) 2020-2025.

The Union Minister said 43 Myanmar companies and 79 rice mills received rice export licenses from General Administration of Customs of the People’s Republic of China (GACC) in 2020.

The government donated 200 tonnes of rice to Wuhan of China at the beginning of COVID-19 outbreak and planned to donate another 200 tonnes to Bamko Hurricane victims of the Philippines. The Union Minister appreciated the efforts of the Myanmar Rice Federation to help the government in purchasing reserved rice to ease food security concerns and in selling the reserved rice at low prices amid COVID-19 pandemic.

He then urge the federation to conduct research and developing programmes including educating activities for rice sector and to carry out closely with the farmers for the sustainable development. Union Minister for Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation Dr Aung Thu and UMFCCI President U Zaw Min Win also sent the video messages to the event. The Patrons and Central Executive Members of the federation, rice experts, the representatives of Myanmar Rice Traders Association and Myanmar Rice Millers Association and other officials joined the event online.

MNA

PHOTO: MNA

(Translated by Khine Thazin Han)

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THE Republic of Korea and United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) donated masks and ambulances to the Ministry of Health and Sports to support Myanmar’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Union Minister Dr Myint Htwe attended the donation ceremony via videoconferencing yesterday.

During the ceremony, the Union Minister expressed words of thanks on behalf of the healthcare workers of COVID-19 treatment centres and hospitals and officials of the public health department who conduct ground survey for the control of COVID-19.

 He also highlighted the more substantial bilateral relation between Myanmar and ROK through donations and planned to cooperate with ROK to reduce the impact of COVID-19 on businesses and socio-economic sectors in accordance with New Southern Policy Plus of ROK.

He stressed more than $3.2million worth of donations by ROK, KOICA, KOFIH, ASEAN-Korea Fund, Korean organizations, companies and the Koreans living in Myanmar for COVID-19 prevention, control and treatment activities.

Then, Economic Advisor to ROK President and Chairman for Presidential Committee on New Southern Policy Mr Park Bok-Yeong and UNHCR Representative in Myanmar Ms Hai Kyung Jun briefed the donation.

Yangon Region Chief Minister U Phyo Min Thein also expressed words of thanks to the donors.

Mr Park Bok-Yeong, Korean Ambassador to Myanmar Mr Lee Sang-hwa and Ms Hai Kyung Jun handed over $279,361 worth of 416,958 KF94 masks to Deputy Director-General of Yangon Region Public Health and Medical Services Department Dr Tun Myint.

Korean Association Representative Mr Chun Sung Ho presented five ambulances to Yangon Chief Minister U Phyo Min Thein.

MNA

(Translated by Khine Thazin Han)

Photo: Phoe Khwar/MNA

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THE Ministry of Education held a meeting with parents yesterday for drafting the National Education Strategic Plan (2021-2030).

At the meeting, Union Minister Dr Myo Thein Gyi discussed technology developments in 21st century like Artificial Intelligence, Robotics, Cloud Computing, Big Data and Internet of Things, competitive labour market, climate changes, IQ and EQ of students in 21st Century Digital Age.

The Union Minister also explained the Traditional Education System, including by-heart learning, exam-based and teacher-centred approaches.

He also discussed the New Normal Education System while new normal is just a part of economic normal, safe learning environment for the students, 21st Century Skills and Competencies and the different situation of students living across the nation.

He then highlighted the use of technology in learning during COVID-19 pandemic, the importance of Blended Learning which is a combination of High-Tech Learning and High-Touch Learning, implementation of the better education system and the differences between Traditional Education System and New Normal Education System.

He also stressed the performance based on 12 priority sectors of NESP (2016-2021), vocational training, educational opportunities for students and people as a pathway out of poverty, plans to provide teaching materials by cooperating with relevant regions/states government and Hluttaw Representatives. He recommended the appointment of qualified teachers, capacity-building programmes for the teachers, action plans to provide WIFI services, Website and e-library facility at the schools, universities and libraries.

He also discussed the Learning Management System of Myanmar Digital Education Platform (MDEP), South-East Asia Primary Learning Metric (SEA-PLM) assessment programme and the critical role of the participation of students, teachers and parents in implementing the quality education system. The Directors-General of relevant education departments respectively briefed the progress in drafting NESP (2021-2030).

MNA

PHOTO: MNA

(Translated by Khine Thazin Han)

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THE Ministry of Labour, Immigration and Population and the International Organization for Migration held a virtual meeting to review the implementation and monitoring of the mid-term second five-year national plan of action on international migration (2018-2022) yesterday morning.

At the meeting, Union Minister U Thein Swe said that the meeting aims to review the experiences and achievement from the priorities of the second phase of the national action plan and to identify the prioritized plans for 2021.

He added the implementation of the plan in collaboration with non-governmental organizations and related ministries and agencies by holding several meetings for action planning, the expanding of up to 19 Migrants Resource Centre (MRC) with the collaboration of ILO and IOM in areas with the highest number of migrants, and the attendance of representatives from 207 licenced foreign employment agencies to seminars on prestigious international recruitment practices.

The Union Minister also said the need to include action plans to ensure the safe migration of migrant workers on post-COVID-19 period and to improve the living standards of migrant workers returnees and to establish a digital platform to provide access to essential services using technology to protect migrant workers.

The meeting also discussed the link between the action plan and the Global Compact for Migration aspirations, the review on achievement from the implementation of the half of the Action Plan (2018-2022) and priorities to do in 2021 according to the Action Plan.

The Deputy Minister for Labour, Immigration and Population, the Permanent Secretary, Directors-General, Deputy Directors-General and the Chief of Mission for IOM and representatives participated in the meeting.

MNA

PHOTO: MNA

(Translated by Ei Phyu Phyu Aung)

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CLOSING Ceremony of the online training course on “Public Policy and Basic Social Research Methodology”, which was jointly conducted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Asia Foundation, took place at 4:30 pm on 18 December 2020. At the occasion, U Chan Aye, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs delivered remarks, and Mr Mark McDowell, Country Representative of the Asia Foundation, Myanmar made remarks through videoconferencing.

Also present at the occasion were U Khine Win and Daw Nilar Myaing from the Sandhi Governance Institute, who were lecturers of the course, senior officials and trainees from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs .

The training was conducted from 14 to 18 December 2020 and participated by 31 trainees from the Ministry through online platform.

MNA

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