U THAUNG TUN, Union Minister for Investment and Foreign Economic Relations virtually met yesterday with heads of mission from EU member states headed by Mr Ranieri Sabatucci, Ambassador of the European Union to Myanmar. They exchanged views on the recently signed Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) and implications for Myanmar-Europe relations.

Describing the RCEP as an “unprecedented mega-regional trading arrangement comprised of a diverse mix of developed, developing, and least-developed economies throughout the region”, the Minister provided an in-depth briefing on the RCEP to those on the call. In doing so, the Minister outlined several of the benefits expected to flow to Myanmar as a result of signing the RCEP and stated that the Agreement has laid a foundation for deeper cooperation among member countries going forward.

The Minister also noted how newly harmonized Rules of Origin would help European businesses present in Myanmar and the region by allowing companies to ship their products across the region more efficiently while avoiding different Rule of Origin criteria at each step in the manufacturing process in each country crossed.

While highlighting how the RCEP is expected to hasten the shift in global economic activity toward Asia already underway, the Minister also noted that it would be important for the region to continue to welcome Europe’s voice.

“…it is important that the region continues to welcome Europe’s voice. And I believe the region welcomes this voice – and is in agreement that both Europe and RCEP members stand to benefit when regional cooperation remains open and rules-based.”

In light of Myanmar’s recent commitments to reduce the country’s carbon emissions, both the Minister and Ambassador Sabatucci were in firm agreement regarding new opportunities for growth made possible via the new European Green Deal, with views exchanged on emerging opportunities for more transparent, responsible investment in wind, hydro, and solar energy projects amongst others.

Ambassador Sabatucci restated the EU’s willingness to deepen partnerships in areas including good governance, human resources development, environmental conservation, and climate change mitigation in addition to continued support for expanding trade and investment ties.

The Minister went on to answer questions fielded by Mr Christian Lechervy, Ambassador of France to Myanmar, Mr Thomas Neisinger, Ambassador of Germany to Myanmar, Ms Alessandra Schiavo, the Ambassador of Italy to Myanmar, Ms Beatriz Lorenzo, the Chargé d’Affairs, Embassy of Spain, and Ms Frida Zaric, the Minister Counsellor, Embassy of Sweden.

The Minister closed the event expressing an eagerness to continuing to engage with the European Union “…as a development partner, as a source of responsible investment, and as a committed friend.”

—MNA

Photo MNA

#The Global New Light Of Myanmar

UNION Minister for Border Affairs Lt-Gen Ye Aung presided over a coordination meeting yesterday on implementation of border area development projects by the tender winning companies for the 2020-2021 financial year.

The meeting was participated by the project supervising officers from regions and states via videoconferencing.

The Union Minister explained that business contracts were signed with tender winning companies in the third week of October after inviting tenders in the second week of that month in line with the rules issued by the Office of President.

The tender winning companies have completed 25 to 30 per cent of their works in the projects.

The projects were prioritized in line with the directives of the government, its guarantees and pledges at the Hluttaw, reports of region/ state governments, demands of local people and fundamental development projects for the respective areas based on budget allocation.

The Union Minister added that the ministry also selected the project in line with its four polices, seven goals, plans, three pillars of Myanmar Sustainable Development Plan and five objectives.

He also discussed the implementation of the projects in line with the 7 goals and 10 strategies of COVID-19 Economic Relief Plan, narrowing development gaps between regions and states, and socio-economic development of ethnic people.

The Director-General from the Department of Development for Border Areas and National Races reported on the progress in the implementation of projects.

The Ministry of Border Affairs is implementing 548 projects in 2020-2021 financial year for border area development with K65.258 billion budget.

MNA

Translated by Aung Khin

Photo MNA

#The Global New Light Of Myanmar

MYANMAR Embassy in Seoul organized a relief flight of MAI in bringing back 94 citizens whose contracts under the Employment Permit System have expired in the Republic of Korea.

They arrived at Yangon International Airport yesterday evening.

Moreover, another MAI relief flight of the Myanmar Embassy in Seoul and the Myanmar Seafarers’ Employment Services Federation flew from Incheon International Airport with 139 Myanmar seamen, and it also landed in Yangon in the same evening.

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

To bring back the Myanmar citizens who are stranded in foreign countries by relief flights and chartered flights in accordance with the instructions from National-Level Central Committee on Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs cooperated with the relevant ministries, Myanmar embassies from respective countries and shipping companies.

—MNA

Translated by Aung Khin

Photo MNA

#The Global New Light Of Myanmar

THE Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement organized a virtual meeting yesterday to discuss issues related to cooperation in the Community-based COVID-19 Prevention and Control Special Project via videoconferencing.

During the meeting, Union Minister for Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement Dr Win Myat Aye (Secretary of National Volunteer Steering Unit) said that at present, COVID-19 response strategies are being changed as needed in accordance with circumstances. He added that as community-based COVID-19 response efforts, it is important to develop more effective ways to control the disease.

He said that the meeting also aims to help Nay Pyi Taw Council Area authorities and regional governments in COVID-19 response efforts.

Regarding changing strategies, the Ministry of Health and Sports is coordinating with the Yangon Region government to carry out community-based COVID-19 prevention and control programmes.

He said Myanmar has many volunteers, including experts, people who have received training of Trainers programme and multiplier course for volunteer, and ambulance drivers. He continued that those volunteers need to be effectively integrated into community-based COVID-19 response efforts.

The Union Minister also pointed out that the citizens also need to have a clear understanding of the changing strategies of COVID-19 response efforts. He also called on all the stakeholders to work together for the success of the community-based COVID-19 control process.

The Deputy Minister, the Permanent Secretary, Directors-General, regional ministers for social affairs, officials from the Ministry of Health and Sports and the General Administration Department, Directors from regional Department of Social Welfare, officials from Myanmar Medical Association, members of Myanmar Youth Affairs Committee and Myanmar Red Cross Society participated in the discussions.

In his closing speech, the Union Minister said that he believes that the Community-based COVID-19 Control Special Project will be successful in States and Regions because of collaborative efforts.

MNA

(Translated by Maung Maung Swe)

Photo: MNA

#The_Global_New_Light_of_Myanmar

UNION Minister for Education Dr Myo Thein Gyi chaired a coordination meeting online with teacher unions, teacher associations and common teachers to draft the National Education Strategic Plan(2021-2030) at his office in Nay Pyi Taw yesterday.

 At the meeting, the Union Minister highlighted the critical role of coordination in the improvement of education quality and called for collaboration of all the teachers in unity.

The Union Minister discussed the changing trend of education together with the industry in studying the Leapfrogging to Education 4.0: Student at the Core, the page 19 of FICCI-EY Knowledge Paper and the page 12 of OECD Future of Education and Skills 2030: OECD Learning Compass 2030.

He also explained the evolutions of Industry 1.0 and Education 1.0 with no education criteria, no specific curriculum and limited infrastructure; Industry 2.0 and Education 2.0 with full-time teachers, specific curriculum and classrooms, the emergence of universities, dormitories and recreation centres; Industry 3.0 and Education 3.0 with online learning, research cooperation, investment in technology and infrastructure; the Industry 4.0 with the Artificial Intelligence, the Internet of Things, the Cloud Computing, big data and robotics technologies.

The Union Minister referred to the Learning Generation Report 2017 for the changing trends in community, economy and technology and the requirement of an education system which can encounter the challenging situations in the 21st century.

He also pointed out the need for innovative learning, capacity, view and technologies for future employment opportunities, as well as the new professionals of the current age. He also suggested the coordination of business sector, the establishment of the school-industry partnership, management reform at the universities, human resources, award presenting, conducting capacity-building programmes continuously and financial assistance.

Permanent Secretary Dr Zaw Myint explained the drafting processes of National Education Strategic Plan(2021- 2030), Director-General U Ko Lay Win from the Department of Basic Education introduced the basic education sector in Chapter 5 of the NESP and Director- General Dr Sai Kyaw Naing Oo reported on the Technical and Vocational Education Sector in Chapter 6 of the NESP.

MNA

(Translated by Aung Khin)

Photo: MNA

#The_Global_New_Light_of_Myanmar

The Ministry of Electricity and Energy organized an event to mark its anniversary at the ministry in Nay Pyi Taw yesterday in accordance with the health guidelines set by the Ministry of Health and Sports.

Union Minister for Electricity and Energy U Win Khaing, Deputy Ministers U Khin Maung Win and Dr Tun Naing, Permanent Secretary U Than Zaw, departmental officials, outstanding staff, students who passed with distinctions, company officials, and invited guests participated in the event via videoconferencing.

At the event, the Union Minister said that on the auspicious day awards would be presented to the outstanding staff, townships and companies, awards and scholarships would be provided for the sons and daughters of the staff, and E&E Day Care Centre would be opened for the children of the staff.

The Ministry of Electricity and the Ministry of Energy were combined as the Ministry of Electricity and Energy during the incumbent government, and 34 per cent of the country was electrified from the National Grid. Electricity will be provided to the citizens and ethnic nationals countrywide who are far from the National Grid via decentralization system, via solar energy, mini hydropower plants, and diesel energy electricity plants.

The ministry also distributed electricity to the far areas in the country – Buthidaung and Maungtaw in Rakhine State, Myawady and Kya-in-Seikgyi in Kayin State, Mawleik in Sagaing Region, Matupi in Chin State, and Kengtong and Mongpyin in eastern Shan State.

Construction of a 180-mile power line on Mawlamyine-Ye-Dawei toad and power projects was underway to transport electricity to Ye and Dawei in Taninthayi Region.

He urged the government employees and company staff to join hands in hands on the projects. A display room relating to the electricity and energy to mark the completion of 50 per cent electricity consumption nationwide from the National Grid, and E&E Day Care Centre for the children of the staff were also opened during the anniversary event.

MNA

(Translated by Kyaw Zin Tun)

PHOTO: MNA

#The_Global_New_Light_of_Myanmar

Committee on Formation of Collective Management Organization of Literary Copyright held the Copyright and Technology Webinar: Episode 2 yesterday.

Union Minister for Information Dr Pe Myint and the ministry’s departmental officials, chairperson, deputy chairpersons and members of the Committee on Formation of Collective Management Organization of Literary Copyright, and interested persons participated in the online seminar.

Speaking at the event, the Union Minister said there were many copyrights issues to be discussed, and they are wide.

There were literary copyright problems in the past, and changing technology trends will likely create more problems, he added.

As the web conferencing would focus on the ways of solving the literary copyrights problems with the use of technology, the discussion would result in broadening knowledge that can spark new ideas and new visions, and do’s and don’ts of literary copyright. The Union Minister also expressed his hope that participants in the online seminar are assumed to write more valuable matters for the readers during the COVID-19 stay-at-home period.

Chairman of the Committee on Formation of Collective Management Organization of Literary Copyright Saya Chit Oo Nyo made greeting remarks, followed by the playing of video clip about copyright.

Vice-Chairman 1 of the Committee U Myint Tun discussed the topic entitled “Changing Publishing Industry Trends in the Digital Age and Copyright Issues” and Vice- Chairman 2 U Thaung Su Nyein discussed “Protection of Literary and Artistic Works Copyrights and the Role of Technology”.

A panel discussion on literary and artistic works copyrights was also held. The Committee’s Vice Chair 2 U Thaung Su Nyein moderated the discussion participated in by the Committee’s members U Zaw Min Oo and Writer Lun Htar Htar. The discussion’s panellists replied to the questions raised by the attendees.— MNA (Translated by Kyaw Zin Tun)

PHOTO: MNA

#The_Global_New_Light_of_Myanmar

A total of 95 Myanmar citizens who were stranded in foreign countries because of the suspension of commercial flights returned home by relief flight yesterday.

The Myanmar embassies in Washington and Seoul jointly organized the relief flight of Myanmar Airways International to repatriate the 95 Myanmar nationals – 60 from the United States, 2 from Australia, 1 from Japan, and 32 from the Republic of Korea. The flight landed at the Yangon International Airport in the evening.

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 local ministries concerned 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.

Until now a total of ninth relief flights were arranged to repatriate the Myanmar citizens from the United States via Incheon International Airport.

MNA 

(Translated by Kyaw Zin Tun)

PHOTO: MNA

#The_Global_New_Light_of_Myanmar

Union Minister for Education Dr Myo Thein Gyi said that the country is investing more in the education sector, providing more training to teachers and giving high priority to ethnic areas in development of education.

The Union Minister made the remark at the virtual meeting to discuss matters related to drafting the National Education Strategic Plan (NESP) (2021-2030) via videoconferencing on 13 December.

The virtual meeting was participated by Union Minister Dr Myo Thein Gyi, Deputy Minister U Win Maw Tun, Rectors’ Committee Chairperson Dr Zaw Wai Soe, Permanent Secretary, Directors General and Deputy Directors General of the Ministry of Education, Rectors and senior officials from universities, heads of Education Degree College, Government Technological College, Government Technical Institute and Government Technological High School and senior education officials from States and Regions.

During the meeting, the Union Minister said that his ministry is working together with all stakeholders to implement a quality education system.He continued that at the present time, 21st-century-technologies, such as “Automation, Artificial Intelligence, Robotics, Cloud Computing, Big Data, and Internet of Things”, are developing very fast. He said that the labour market has rapidly changed and competition for job opportunities has intensified, so workers need higher skills. It is important for all stakeholders to work together to create an education system that can respond to the challenges of the 21st Century, he added.

The Union Minister said that in the traditional education system, which uses examination-oriented approaches, the majority of students only memorize lessons, and they are usually assessed only by examinations.

The Union Minister also pointed out that it is important to embrace the “New Normal Education System”.

He said that all schools must have quality assurance and be accountable. He continued that suggestions from all stakeholders are needed for continuous implementation of a quality education system, and criticism must be encouraged to enhance the education sector.

The Union Minister said that in drafting the National Education Strategic Plan (2021-2030), it must be done not only with the opinions of the Ministry and the experts but also with the collective strength of all stakeholders.

In the 2019-2020 Academic Year, Myanmar’s education system began using assessments measuring students’ ability in critical thinking and problem solving, according to the Union Minister. He said that Myanmar achieved encouraging progress in Southeast Asia – Primary Learning Metrics (SEA PLM). From 2016 to 2020, high school students of Myanmar competed in the International Mathematical Olympiad, and achieved 6 Honorary Mentions.

The National Qualification Framework is also being implemented by the National Accreditation and Quality Assurance Committee(NAQAC), according to the Union Minister.

He said that the Ministry will help universities to provide more diploma courses, more bachelor degree courses, and more master degree courses, which will meet local requirements. He said that Research and Quality Assurance and Accreditation must be encouraged in the universities.

Participants including the Permanent Secretary and Directors General of the Ministry of Education discussed matters related to drafting the National Education Strategic Plan (NESP) (2021-2030) via videoconferencing.

MNA

(Translated by Maung Maung Swe)

PHOTO: MNA

#The_Global_New_Light_of_Myanmar

THE Myanmar ASEAN Women’s Friendship Association and the Nay Oke Foundation handed over COVID-19 medical supplies at the office of Public Health Department for the public hospitals in north district of Yangon Region yesterday.

Spouses of Myanmar ambassadors to ASEAN countries, led by Daw Khin Aye Ye who is the wife of director-general from the Strategic Studies Training Department under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs presented a total of 1,400 sets of PPE level 2(A), 50 sets of PPE, 100 bottles of 500 cc hand sanitizer, 1,000 isolation gowns, 7 oxygen cylinder, 5,000 masks and 20 quarantine essential kits from MAWFA, and Dr Pyone Mo Ei, the executive member of Nay Oke Foundation, handed over 1,000 KN95 masks, 24 bottles of 500 cc hand sanitizer, 1 bottle of 18 kg disinfectant solution for each hospital in the public hospitals.

After the donation ceremony, they provided the medical supplies at the public hospital in Dagon Myothit (North & South).

The medical supplies will be shared to the public hospitals in Pale, Hmawbi, Taikkyi, Htantabin, Hlegu and Shwepyitha townships.

—MNA

Translated by Aung Khin

Photo: MNA

#The Global New Light Of Myanmar