Mrs Anne Elisabeth Luwema, the newly-accredited Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to the Republic of the Union of Myanmar, presented her Letters of Credence to U Win Myint, President of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar, at the Credentials Hall of the Presidential Palace, Nay Pyi Taw at 10:30 am yesterday.

Present on the occasion were U Kyaw Tin, Union Minister for International Cooperation and U Min Thein, Director-General of the Protocol Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

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1. The Union Election Commission, in accordance with 2008 Constitution, already announced that the multiparty democracy general elections will be held nationwide on 8 November 2020 to elect MPs for third term of three Hluttaws.

2. The election process includes setting up of polling stations, coming of voters to the stations and voting at the stations. Similarly, it also includes preparations for voting in the general elections of those who are under quarantine due to COVID-19 infections, advance voting of those who are unable to come to polling stations on the election day at relevant ward/village-tract election sub-commissions on designated dates, counting votes at respective township election sub-commissions and polling stations, collecting of election results and announcing the names of elected candidates by region/state election sub-commissions.

3. Due to present COVID-19 situation, polling station heads, deputy heads and members who will perform duties at the polling stations of different levels of relevant election sub-commissions, those who will manage outside the polling stations and voters need to be careful of the successful holding of the general election not to be infected by COVID-19.

4. The Ministry of Health and Sports issued the standard operation procedure Part-I about campaigning in accordance with COVID-19 preventive and control measures for Hluttaw candidates, who will compete in the general election, on 7-9-2020.

5. Therefore, it is hereby announced that those who are involved in the election works according to paragraph-2 will have to abide by the directives included in standard operation procedure Part-II that is to be carried out in accordance with COVID-19 prevention and control measures during the general election and health guidelines issued by relevant officials depending on situations.

6. The standard operation procedure Part-II which is to be carried out in accordance with COVID-19 prevention and control measures in holding the general election can be viewed at the website of the Union Election Commission, www.uec.gov.mm, and UEC Facebook.

(Hla Thein)

Chairman

Union Election Commission

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THE Ministry of Foreign Affairs handed over the sealed ballot papers for advance votes sent by 28 Myanmar embassies, missions and consulates in foreign countries to the Union Election Commission yesterday.

Forty-three parcels containing ballot papers were delivered by Myanmar DHL Service at 6:30 am with tight security to Nay Pyi Taw via Yangon-Nay Pyi Taw Highway and arrived at the Nay Pyi Taw Toll Gate at 10:30 am. Then, Managing Director U Kham Aung of Myanmar Post under Ministry of Transport and Communications handed over these parcels to Director-General U Aung Soe Win of Planning and Administrative Department under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. After that, he transferred to Director-General of UEC U Khin Maung Oo.

The Myanmar embassies, missions and consulates in foreign countries respectively sent back the ballot papers for advance votes to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the ministry systematically transferred the ballot papers sent from a total of 34 polling stations to UEC – the ballots sent from 4 polling stations on 14 October, from 2 polling stations on 15 October and from 28 polling stations on 19 October. Moreover, 273 Myanmar nationals in the UAE cast their advance votes in Dubai on 18 October and a total of 554 voters cast vote on the first two-day of polling.

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(Translated by Khine Thazin Han)

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THE Myanmar Posts under Ministry of Transport and Communications will sell K200 postage stamps to honour the 100th anniversary of Myanmar motion picture industry today.

The stamps are available at the central offices in Nay Pyi Taw, Yangon, Mandalay and the local post offices in cities of regions and states, commencing 9:30 am.

The postage stamps and first day covers bought on 13 October can be stamped mark and date at the Central Post Offices of Nay Pyi Taw, Yangon and Mandalay as a special offer.

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Translated by Aung Khin

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THE Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation yesterday morning organized a virtual meeting on production processes of monsoon paddy for this year via videoconferencing.

Union Minister for Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation Dr Aung Thu; Union Minister for Commerce Dr Than Myint; Deputy Ministers, the Permanent Secretaries, the Directors-General and officials of the two ministries; Myanmar Rice Federation Chairperson and other officials of the federation; and officials of the Department of Agriculture and the Agricultural Mechanization Department participated in the virtual meeting held via Zoom Application.

Union Minister Dr Aung Thu talked about the need to eliminate needless costs in the production processes of monsoon paddy during harvest this year. He said that his ministry will make necessary negotiations and arrangements in advance to cope with various relevant difficulties, which can be caused by travel restrictions related to COVID-19 pandemic.

During the meeting, the participants discussed growing monsoon paddy rice this year, possible paddy yields, situations related to the need of paddy field workers and skilled workers, difficulties sparked by travel restrictions, and necessary preparations and arrangements to overcome the difficulties.

This year’s monsoon, it was planned to grow a total of 15.1 million acres of monsoon paddy, and out of them, 14.7 million acres were grown by the end of September.

Areas in lower Myanmar have already begun harvesting for monsoon paddy. More than 30,000 acres in Bago Region, about 1,000 acres in Yangon Region and more than 20,000 acres in Ayeyawady Region have been harvested by late September.

By the end of October, an estimated 350,000 acres will be harvested.

Because of changes in farming techniques and systems, paddy farmers need to harvest their crops in the same period, so many paddy-harvesting machines, transportation of them and skilled workers will be needed in the period. The meeting is also intended to make necessary discussions to respond to those challenges and to overcome the possible impacts on paddy prices, which can pose difficulties for farmers.

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Translated by Maung Maung Swe

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A ceremony to donate cash to National-Level Central Committee on Prevention, Control and Treatment of Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) was held at the Ministry of Health and Sports yesterday morning.

During the ceremony, Union Minister for Labour, Immigration and Population U Thein Swe, on behalf of the well-wishers, said that the ministry’s staff willingly donated cash to honour the Ministry of Health and Sports staff and volunteers who are working in the front line of COVID-19 preventive measures.

He added that the ministry has accommodated suspected patients at three Workers’ Hospitals and social security clinics were cooperating with the Ministry of Health and Sports, saying that the ministry will continue participating in prevention, control and treatment of COVID-19.

Then, Union Minister Dr Myint Htwe said that there might be small waves of infections in the country after the second wave of COVID-19 and before the vaccine is developed.

He said that the employees and supervisors are necessary to follow the health rules and related ministries and departments are needed to cooperate in dealing with the problems with long-term plans.

He urged labourers to wear masks and face shields and to avoid crowded places as possible as they can when the factories and industries resume operations.

The Ministry of Labour, Immigration and Population’s Union Minister and staff donated K11.6 million; Dr Zaw Thu Aung+Dr Su Myint Tin, daughter Ma Shin Thant Myint Thu and son Mg Khant Phone Myint Thu from Australia, and U Nyunt Tin (author-Pyithayar)+ Daw Nan Shwe Myint family donated K1million each, and staff of the Union Minister Office (Health) of the Ministry of Health and Sports K400,000.

Union Minister Dr Myint Htwe and Deputy Minister Dr Mya Lay Sein received the cash donation and returned certificates of honour to the donors.

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(Translated by Khine Thazin Han)

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THE fourth coordination meeting to draft bill for the Law Amending for Farmland Law (2020) was held at the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation yesterday.

The meeting was attended by Union Minister Dr Aung Thu, Permanent Secretary U Kyaw Min Oo, Deputy Permanent Secretary U Myo Tint Tun, Directors-General, Deputy Directors-General and directors of related departments.

During the fourth session to draft bill for the Pyidaungsu Hluttaw Law No 2, the Law Amending for Farmland Law (2020) which was signed by the President on 14 February 2020, the officials of the Department of Agriculture Land Management, Department of Agriculture and Agricultural Mechanization Department and other related departments respectively proposed the points that should be added in the bill. The Union Minister and other officials discussed in details in accordance with section and sub-section regarding land-use rights for nomadic hill farming sector.

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(Translated by Khine Thazin Han)

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UNPRECEDENTED Occurrences require unprecedented actions. As Covid-19 strikes globally, the safety of the Indonesians in Myanmar is the priority of the Indonesian Embassy in Yangon. The capability to stay in touch with Myanmar friends and colleagues are also essential. Although the Covid-19 pandemic restricts people to gather, to the Embassy, being idle has never been an option.

Safety is priority

Prof. Dr. Iza Fadri, Indonesian Ambassador to Myanmar often reiterates that the safety of the Indonesian citizens is the priority. We use every channel possible (including the Embassy's social medias, whatsap group, zoom meetings and contacting them personally) to reach out to approximately 800 Indonesians in Myanmar, to ensure that they are updated with any developments concerning the pandemic and stay alert on how to stay safe.

Since April 2020, the Embassy has assisted Indonesian Citizens to repatriate. As the pandemic spreads wider, more Indonesians are repatriated. So far, 151 Indonesians have returned safely. We coordinate closely with Myanmar Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Myanmar Airways International to ensure its success. We deeply appreciate their support.

Economic blow or economic opportunities?

Restriction on overseas and domestic travels have resulted in the cancellation of a large-scale event including trade promotions. Therefore, The Indonesian Embassy encourages direct business-to-business contacts. Several Indonesian companies have successfully met their Myanmar importers or exporters for several product lines such as chemical raw materials, Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG). especially food and beverages, cosmetics and personal care, grains, and coal. The trade value between the two countries is quite stable until July 2020 at USD464 million. In details, Indonesia exported products amounted USD593 million, while Myanmar exports to Indonesia USD128 million.

JAPFA Comfeed, Kalbe Myanmar, Telkom International, Wijaya Karya (WIKA), Mayora and Nabati are some of the companies that are successfully maintaining their positive business flow amid the pandemic. Notably in the early days of the pandemic and during quarantine in April 2020, JAPFA, the livestock company, was among the main suppliers of broiler chickens sold in Yangon markets. With their growing interests and expansion within Myanmar market, Indonesia is currently planning to form a business community consisting of Indonesian companies and entrepreneurs to increase the bilateral trade.

Amidst an uncertain situation, Myanmar has not lost positive sentiment from foreign investors and profitably approved USD5 billion new Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) from October 2019 - July 2020. An Indonesian pharmaceutical company Kalbe Myanmar is one of the investors. The company has constructed a ready to operate drugs factory in Thilawa SEZ. The plant is currently undergoing clinical trials for their drugs before they are registered to the authorities. Once fully operational, Kalbe is committed to maximizing its factory capacity to help overcoming Covid-19 or another disease outbreaks in Myanmar.

Scholarships from Indonesia

Nine Myanmar students in July 2020 received scholarship to pursue their master's and doctorate degree in Andalas University (UNAND), Padang, Indonesia. The scholarship is under a direct of cooperation between the Embassy and UNAND. Among the awardees are graduates from the University of Medicine 1, Myanmar (Dr. Zarni Win), Technological University, Mandalay (Khin Thu Zar Htay), Mandalay University (Hnin Phyu Wai) and Yangon University of Distant Education (Thet Paing Oo, an alumnus of the Indonesian Language Course held in Yangon).

On 1 September 2020, the Myanmar awardees took part in a zoom meeting socialization event for new foreign students of the UNAND postgraduate program. Scholarship recipients from Thailand, Vietnam, United Kingdom and Tajikistan were also present. UNAND is one of the best universities in Indonesia and highly capable to organize an international program. The learning process is conducted online. When the pandemic ceases, the students will study in Indonesia.

From 2019-2020, twenty Myanmar students received scholarship under direct cooperation between the Indonesian Embassy and universities in Indonesia and many more from different schemes. Currently three Myanmar students are studying at Brawijaya University, East Java and eight students at Padang State University, West Sumatra, More scholarships are offered in the future.

Two of the awardees studying at Brawijaya University are teachers from the Indonesian International School Yangon (IISY). The students and teachers of IISY are mostly from Myanmar. With the objective to improve IISY quality, providing scholarships and trainings to the teachers are inevitable.

This year, fifty new students are accepted by IISY out of 200 applicants. The total number of IISY population is 358 students (ECCE to Grade X). The learning process are currently online and will continue until it is safe for the students to return to the school.

Covid-19 does not equal fewer engagements

The Indonesian Embassy is aware that Myanmar people are active users of facebook (fb). Celebrating the 75th Anniversary of Indonesia's independence, we held a video competition "What does the friendship of Indonesia and Myanmar mean to you?", announced a week before 17 August 2020. We received more than 40 videos and uploaded them in our fb (Kbri Yangon) and instagram (indonesia in yangon). The Embassy reactivated its fb in January 2020. When the competition was announced in August 2020, it only had 466 friends. In the beginning of October 2020, it has 1,153 friends. The more than 147% increase is because the video competition allows more interactive engagements so we could promote Indonesia more.

One of the winners is Captain Aung Po, a Myanmar National Airlines pilot who studied in the Indonesian Government owned aviation school in Curug, Indonesia. He now owns a house production, which has been importing five Indonesian TV series to be played in Myanmar TV channels.

The Indonesian Embassy also reaches out to organizations that serve the people in need. Prof. Dr. Iza Fadri visited Yangon Muslim Free Hospital in November 2019 and saw how the hospital treated the patients equally regardless their religion. The Embassy donated a few times and in August 2020, Indonesia contributed required medicine. The value is considerably small, but we believe any contribution is helpful. Dawn Education Center is another non-profitable organization we supported this year with food and medicine supplies. Currently, we are in contact with Myanmar National Blood Center so we would be able provide them with required items within our reach.

Perceiving the pandemic as a challenge instead of obstacle, the Indonesian Embassy is determined to continue strengthen Indonesia Myanmar cooperation, so both nations could keep on harvesting from it.

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The Working Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities organized its 2/2020 meeting via videoconferencing at the Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement on 6 October.

Chairman of the Committee and Union Minister Dr Win Myat Aye, Deputy Minsiter for Information U Aung Hla Tun, working committee members and national committee members for the rights of PWDs and officials from the organizations of PWDs joined the meeting.

In his opening remark, Union Minister Dr Win Myat Aye said that the ministry is working for the persons with disabilities during COVID-19 pandemic while providing assistance to the street children and the vulnerable communities including women, elderly persons and leprosy patients. The working committee meetings for the rights of PWDs have been holding twice a year since 2018 and now is the second session of 2020. The decisions of meetings are implemented by cooperating with the relevant organizations.

Model facilities for the PWDs are now available at the Myoma Market and the Water Fountain Garden in Nay Pyi Taw in developing a Barrier Free Community.

The Union Minister continued saying that the tourism industry can develop in the post-COVID-19 period and so the Ministry of Hotels and Tourism drafted Myanmar Barrier Free Tourism Pilot Project for the PWDs to be able to travel to the famous destinations in Nay Pyi Taw Union Territory, Yangon and Mandalay Regions and in Bagan.

The pilot projects for disability rating and registration for the disabled are being carried out in Nyaunglebin Township of Bago Region, Hlinethaya Township of Yangon Region, Hpa-an and Kya-in-Seikkyi townships of Kayin State. The officials adopt the systems of remote assessment and digitalization to provide coverage in Kayin State by the end of 2020.

There are 9 sub-committees to carry out the welfare of persons with disabilities and online meetings are being held by organizing the Technical Core Group to draft five-year national strategic plan for the rights of persons with disabilities. He continued that it needs to accelerate the processes of the Working Committee for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities during COVID-19 pandemic.

Vice-Chairman (1) of the committee and Deputy Minister U Soe Aung later explained the fund raising for K3 billion capital amount for the persons with disabilities and loan processes.

Secretary (1) of the committee and Director-General for Rehabilitation Department U Win Naing Tun and Director-General for Social Welfare Department Dr San San Aye briefed the work plans of the committee and progresses in implementing the decisions of former committee meetings. The attendees at the meting coordinated the discussion and joint-secretary (1) U Myat Thu Win expressed words of thanks for the performance of the government and ministries concerned in carrying out for the welfare of the persons with disabilities.

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(Translated by Khine Thazin Han)

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The steering committee on capacity-building programme for pre-service teachers held a meeting via videoconferencing yesterday morning.

The meeting was participated by Union Minister for Education Dr Myo Thein Gyi, Finnish Ambassador to Myanmar Ms Riikka Laatu, Counsellor for Development at the Finnish Embassy in Myanmar Ms Sanna Takala, Head of the UNESCO office in Myanmar Ms Min Jeong Kim, members of the National Education Policy Commission, the National Academic and Quality Assurance Assessment Committee and the National Curriculum Committee, the directors-General, the deputy directors-General and the directors from the Ministry of Education and the directorates, and the officials from the UNESCO Myanmar Office.

Union Minister Dr Myo Thein Gyi expressed words of thanks to the Government of Finland and the UNESCO for their financial and technical assistance to support the Myanmar Pre-Service Teacher Capacity-Building Programme.

He said that the Ministry of Education enhanced the policy and teaching capacity in 25 education degree colleges during the second phase of the STEM Project of Myanmar pre-service teacher capacity-building project and the technical assistance was provided in designing a new education degree college curriculum, for gender equality, peace, sustainable and balanced development and teacher opportunities

He continued that two-year education degree colleges have been upgraded to four-year degree colleges and the textbooks for the first semester and second semester of the First Year and the Second Year Education Degree College and teacher guidebooks have been planned to publish.

He thanked for the support in developing the framework for assessing quality of primary teachers.

He also said that he believed the programme will support the National Education Strategic Plan (2021-2030).

The meeting discussed the performance of the STEM Project from July to September 2020, the report of the project phrase 2 and the report on the evaluation of the implementation of the New Education Degree College Curriculum.

MNA

(Translated by Ei Phyu Phyu Aung)

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