THE Republic of the Union of Myanmar and the Republic of Korea (ROK) organized 1st Joint General (Trade) Working Group Committee Meeting online via Zoom yesterday.

U Min Min, Director-General of Trade Department of Myanmar’s Ministry of Commerce, and Mr Chun Yoon-jong, Director-General of Trade and Economic Cooperation Bureau of ROK’s Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (MOTIE), co-chaired the meeting.

During the meeting, they said they would closely cooperate in establishing a common trade goal this year, and in promoting agricultural trade.

Myanmar representatives discussed assistances from ROK and ongoing cooperation in promoting bilateral trade and investments on producing value-added rubbers and foods and garment sector and, and ROK representatives replied that they would consider for providing assistance in future.

They detailed about close cooperation on establishment of Myanmar-Korea Apparel Testing Research Institute (MKATRI) and successful implementation of Technology Advice and Solutions from Korea (TASK). ROK representatives affirmed providing assistance for development of rubber industry.

Director-General U Min Min highlighted MYANTRADE training and establishment of Korea Desk.

He also expressed thanks to ROK Government for providing assistance for strengthening the capacity of Myanmar Trade Promotion Organization (MYANTRADE) to promote bilateral trade between Myanmar and ROK and to send Myanmar products into international market. The meeting said the two nations would cooperate in launching Korea Desk which is a main road for bilateral economic cooperation to solve the economic difficulties of the two nations’ businesses operating in both sides and to help the businesses smoothly get into market.

Orders issued by the Ministry of Commerce were distributed to foreign investors who will do businesses in Myanmar so that they can get trade opportunities.

Despite the first such meeting between the two countries, it is successful and beneficial for both nations discussing smoothly growing of bilateral trade and cooperation.

The meeting was attended by Director-General of Myanmar Trade Promotion Organization (MYANTRADE), Deputy Directors-General of Trade Department and Consumer Affairs Department, departmental officials concerned from Nay Pyi Taw and Yangon, representatives of Union of Myanmar Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry (UMFCCI) and Myanmar Garment Manufacturers Association (MGMA), and representatives of ROK’s Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (MOTIE).

MNA

PHOTO : MNA

(Translated by Kyaw Zin Tun)

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THE Ministry of Religious Affairs and Culture and Lay Kyun Thu Foundation donated cash assistance for the medical staff taking care of the government officials who are under quarantine in Nay Pyi Taw Union Territory yesterday.

At the donation ceremony, the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Culture (Department of Religious Affairs) donated K4 million, the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Culture (Department of Culture) donated K4 million, Lay Kyun Thu Foundation donated K3 million, totally K11 million and responsible persons from the Ministry of Health and Sports received the donation.

—MNA

-Translated by Ei Phyu Phyu Aung

-PHOTO: MNA

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MYANMAR parliamentary delegates, led by Pyidaungsu Hluttaw and Pyithu Hluttaw Speaker U T Khun Myat, joined the second plenary session and closing ceremony of the 41st General Assembly of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA-41), which took place in Ha Noi of Viet Nam, via videoconferencing yesterday morning.

At the second plenary session commenced at 8:30 am, the reports of relevant committees were passed and the AIPA-41 joint communique was approved with the e-signatures of AIPA legislative leaders.

 At the closing ceremony of AIPA-41, the supreme legislature of Norway and the Parliament of Morocco were conferred a formal status of Observers of AIPA.

The President of the Lao National Assembly and the Vice-Chairwoman of the Viet Nam National Assembly were presented with awards for their excellent contributions to the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly.

The rotating Chairman of AIPA and the National Assembly of Viet Nam made an closing remark of the ceremony.

The chairmanship of AIPA42 was handed over to the Legislative Council of Brunei Darussalam, and its speaker delivered an address for the acceptance through video clip.

—MNA

-Translated by Aung Khin

-PHOTO: MNA

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THE Embassy of Canada donated N-95 masks worth of 489,934 Canadian dollar to the Ministry of Health and Sports yesterday in Yangon to mitigate and prevent the spread of the COVID-19 in Myanmar.

At the donation ceremony, Political and Trade Counsellor Ms Jennifer Hart from the Embassy of Canada in Yangon presented 70,000 masks to the Ministry of Health and Sports.

Director-General for Medical Research Department Prof Dr Zaw Than Tun received the donation with thanks and returned the certificate of honour.

Zaw Min Latt

PHOTO: MNA

(Translated by Ei Phyu Phyu Aung)

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THE Tatmadaw True News Information Team held a press conference at the Defence Services Museum in Nay Pyi Taw yesterday.

Brigadier-General Zaw Min Tun explained the Tatmadaw’s donation of medical supplies and food during the COVID-19 pandemic, measures to conduct COVID-19 prevention, control and treatment activities effectively, suspension of military activities from 1 to 30 September, except in the areas of groups declared by the government as terrorist groups, armed clashes in ceasefire areas from 1 January to 1 September, seizures of K761billion worth of drugs including over 229.6 million stimulant tablets, 8,352kg of ICE during this period, competition of Tatmadaw’s tank team in International Army Games-2020 held in Russia and the first part of Bumi Phassa Mudra Sitting Buddha Image to be convoyed to Nay Pyi Taw.

He also replied to the questions of media, according to the report of Tatmadaw True News Information Team.

MNA

PHOTO: MNA

(Translated by Khine Thazin Han)

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THE National Advisory Committee held a meeting on the rights and opportunities for women migrant workers in ASEAN region yesterday under the Safe and Fair Project jointly implemented by the Ministry of Labour, Immigration and Population, the International Labour Organization and the UN Women Myanmar.

Union Minister U Thein Swe, Deputy Minister U Myint Kyaing, Permanent Secretary U Myo Aung, Director-General for Department of Labour U Win Shein, Director-General for Department of Social Welfare Dr San San Aye, members of national consultative committee, UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator Mr Ota Almgren of UN Resident Coordinator Office, EU chargé d’affaires Dr Johann Hess, Liaison Officer Mr Donglin Li of ILO Myanmar and Country Representative Mr Nicholas Burniat of UN Women Myanmar joined the meeting.

During the meeting, the Union Minister said that the meeting was held with the aim of providing the effective ways in implementing the Safe and Fair Project, sharing advices to ILO and UN Women Myanmar, emerging of safe and fair migration, reducing the negative impacts of trafficking in persons, reviewing the results and reports of project.

According to the Safe and Fair Project, the preliminary training was provided to staff of committee on migrant workers and the Migrant Worker Resource Centres (MRCs) were opened in Hinthada, Aunglan and Loikaw and the new one will be in Mohnyin.

The officials of Ayeyawady Region need to conduct the educating programmes regarding the migration in line with the health guidelines of National-level on Prevention, Control and Treatment of COVID-19 and the Ministry of Health and Sports.

The relevant ministries and organizations also need to cooperate to overcome the challenges and to provide the women migrant workers not to lose their legal rights in workplaces, to protect them from violence, to provide job opportunities for than 150,000 migrants who returned to the country during COVID-19 pandemic and to prioritize all the workers including migrant employers who were seriously hit by COVID-19 in forthcoming process of Safe and Fair Project.

Then, the officials of UN Resident Coordinator Office, EU chargé d’affaires, ILO and UN Women Myanmar delivered remarks and briefed the migration, women’s development programmes, 2020 working plans of Safe and Fair Project and other activities in ASEAN regions.

MNA

PHOTO : MNA

(Translated by Khine Thazin Han)

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MYANMAR Investment Commission (MIC) (12/2020) Meeting held its regular meeting via videoconferencing system, yesterday morning. Chairman of the MIC, Union Minister U Thaung Tun, Vice-Chairman, Union Minister Dr Than Myint and members of the Commission participated in the meeting from their respective offices in Nay Pyi Taw and Yangon.

The meeting approved (8) new projects in the manufactur ing sector and other services sector as well as additional investments in (10) existing projects. The approved projects amounted to USD (129.573) million, Kyat (139,438.332) million and (1,157) job opportunities are expected to be created.

By the end of August 2020, the countries/regions with the largest investments in Myanmar are Singapore, People’s Republic of China and Thailand. The power sector accounted for 26.32%. This was followed by the oil and gas sector, accounting for 26.23% and the manufacturing sector, accounting for 14.31 % of the total permitted amount of foreign investment.

MNA

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THE Government of Myanmar yesterday announced the awarding of a contract to Roland Berger Co. Ltd., for end-to-end for consulting services to finalize a Swiss Challenge tendering process for the recently announced New Industrial Park and Essential Ancillary Infrastructure as part of an unbundled New Development Area of Yangon City project.

Upon announcing the winner, U Thaung Tun, Union Minister of Investment and Foreign Economic Relations stated:

“Today we mark an important milestone. We are taking the first steps toward the realization of our vision of a new modern city on the other side of the Yangon River. In keeping with the times and the need to create more quality jobs to mitigate the adverse effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the country’s economy, we have decided to focus first on the setting-up of the industrial zone. The unbundling of the development project, while safeguarding its commercial viability, will ensure that international global best practice is adhered to, including through open international competitive tendering.”

Roland Berger is a leading global consultancy firm, whose work in Myanmar has included advising on crucial economic reforms, including telecoms and banking liberalization, infrastructure development, and state-owned enterprise reform since establishing a permanent presence in Yangon in 2012.

Consultancy services will cover the end-to-end preparation and execution of the Swiss Challenge process, including support for communicating the outcome of the process to external stakeholders as well as support to the negotiation, preparing, revising and signing of the concession agreement.

Key projects to be developed will include an industrial park, low-cost housing estates, water supply and sanitation systems, waste management and other essential infrastructure. Projects to be developed are expected to contribute to Myanmar’s continued sustainable development, creating new quality employment opportunities, including within the country’s rapidly expanding manufacturing sector that has proven resilient despite challenges posed by COVID-19.

The event was attended by the Myanmar Swiss Challenge Tender Committee chaired by U Kyaw Myo, Deputy Minister, Ministry of Transport and Communication, with Dr U Set Aung, Deputy Minister, Ministry of Planning, Finance and Industry, U Bharat Singh, Deputy Minister, Ministry of Investment and Foreign Economic Relations, and U Ye Min Oo, Minister for Planning and Finance, Yangon Region Government serving as members, and Daw Hlaing Maw Oo, Secretary, Yangon City Development Committee serving as Secretary.

MNA

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THE Ministry of Planning, Finance and Industry (MoPFI) handed over four ambulances to the Ministry of Health and Sports (MoHS) in Nay Pyi Taw yesterday.

A ceremony to hand over the ambulances was held at the Ministry of Health and Sports and attended by Union Minister for Planning, Finance and Industry U Soe Win, Union Minister for Investment and Foreign Economic Relations U Thaung Tun and Union Minister for Health and Sports Dr Myint Htwe.

Speaking at the event, Union Minister for Planning, Finance and Industry U Soe Win said the ministry has sold a total of 12 ambulances to the Public Health Department of the Ministry of Health and Sports in 2019-2020FY.

The four ambulances were handed over in first batch yesterday, and remaining eight vehicles will also be handed over in this month. Inside the vehicles were installed with Italian Brand Spancer medical equipment and Turkey Brand Trimming Part.

The standard type ambulances were installed with 12 medical equipment.

Depending on order letters, the ministry will manufacture the ambulances of basic type and advance type.

If the Ministry of Health and Sports additionally purchases medical supplies with CERP fund, the ministry is prepared for fulfilling the required medical supplies.

The ministry will distribute the medical supplies in accordance with international standard GMP guidelines.

Union Minister U Thaung Tun said COVID-19 Economic Relief Plan-CERP was adopted on 27 April 2020. Relevant state/region governments are carrying out the CERP tasks with seven goals.

Under CERP, a total of US$ 1.2 billion and Japanese Yen 30 billion loans were obtained, and the assistance of US$84.53 million, €6.2 million, K10 million and Japanese Yen 2billion were received, he added.

Union Minster Dr Myint Htwe said that the four ambulances would be used in COVID-19 control processes.

He expressed thanks to the Ministry of Planning, Finance and Industry for manufacturing the vehicles and the Ministry of Investment and Foreign Economic Relations for international assistance.

The assistance of the ministries is very beneficial for the public in battling against COVID-19.

The ministry is also producing paramedics who can well operate the medical equipment on the ambulances, he added.

Deputy Minister for Planning, Finance and Industry Dr Min Ye Paing Hein handed over the documents for the four ambulances to Deputy Minister of Health and Sports Dr Mya Lay Sein.

The Union Ministers and officials then inspected the ambulances.

MNA

PHOTO : MNA

(Translated by Kyaw Zin Tun)

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PYIDAUNGSU Hluttaw held its final meeting of the 17th regular session yesterday, with the approvals of Union Taxation Law 2020 and the 8.4 million euro zero-interest loan from UniCredit Bank of Austria.

The Hluttaw first announced taking record on appointment of Kachin State’s Security and Border Affairs Minister Colonel Kyaw Lin Aung as per Article 21 (b) of Pyidaungsu Hluttaw Law to substitute his precursor Colonel Nay Lin Tun who have returned to his military duties.

Union Taxation Bill 2020

Pyidaungsu Hluttaw Joint Bill Committee Secretary Dr Myat Nyana Soe reported each paragraph of the Union Taxation Bill 2020, and the provisions of bill were discussed by the MPs.

After Deputy Minister for Planning, Finance and Industry U Maung Maung Win submitted the bill, the Hluttaw announced approval for it.

Zero-interest loan from UniCredit Bank

The Hluttaw representatives then discussed a loan proposal sent by the President to get 8.4 million euro zero-interest loan from the UniCredit Bank of Austria for construction of a suspension bridge that will cross Thanlwin River.

MP U Aung Kyaw Oo from Mongton constituency supported the proposal as the bridge will shorten the distance between the southern and eastern parts of Shan State and it will be strategically useful for both civil and military purposes.

MP U Khin Cho from Hlaingbwe constituency also supported the proposal with some suggestions for strict adherence to the rules in loan agreements and the completion of bridge project in the 2-years fixed term, while preparations are needed for unexpected situations in the project.

MP Nang Khin Saw from Kunhing constituency agreed to get the loan as the new bridge could help commodity flows not only to eastern Shan State, but also to Thailand, Laos and China, development of socioeconomic situations of local people, and 52-mile decrease in distance between Taunggyi and Tachileik to be able to make day trip between the two cities.

The loan proposal was also discussed by the four other Hluttaw representatives.

Deputy Minister for Construction Dr Kyaw Linn sought the approval of Hluttaw on the loan proposal, saying that the bridge with the load capacity of 75 tonnes will be useful for vehicles between Taunggyi and Thailand and helpful in development of Shan State.

Deputy Minister for Planning, Finance and Industry agreed on the loan proposal and explained the ministry’s plan for preparing the loan agreement with the UniCredit Bank in line with the rules and regulations.

The Pyidaungsu Hluttaw Speaker then announced the unanimously approval of Hluttaw on the loan.

Concluding Speech for 17th regular session

Pyidaungsu Hluttaw Speaker U T Khun Myat made a concluding speech to the 17th regular session of Hluttaw which approved the National Planning Bill, Union Budget Bill 2020 and the Union Taxation Bill 2020.

He also advised the MPs who will contest the upcoming November 8 elections to abide by the rules and regulations of the Union Election Commission, while the legislative, administrative and judiciary pillars need to cooperate with the UEC for ensuring the free and fair elections.

He also called for the return of remaining funds for Pyidaungsu Hluttaw’s development budgets to the Treasury Department as only 103 townships have submitted the accomplishment report on using these budges and other townships are to present their report within the fixed date.

Aung Ye Thwin, Aye Aye Thant

PHOTO : MNA

(Translated by Aung Khin)

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