The Universal Periodic Review Working Group will review Myanmar’s third cycle report about human rights on 25 January during its 37th session.

Union Attorney-General U Tun Tun Oo chaired the meeting to choose the departments and officials in response to reviewing the report which was submitted by Myanmar to URP Work Group on 7 October this year. The review session will be attended by the officials from the Permanent Representative of Myanmar Office to the UN Office in Geneva, and the representatives from Myanmar will join the session via videoconferencing.

MNA (Translated by Aung Khin)

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The Myanmar Investment Commission (MIC) held its final meeting for the year yesterday via video conference.

The meeting, chaired by Union Minister for Investment and Foreign Economic Relations and Chairman of the MIC U Thaung Tun, was attended by Vice-Chairman Dr Than Myint, Union Minister for Commerce and members of the Commission.

The meeting approved 5 new investments proposals and an increase in capital in 4 existing projects. The approved investments covered the energy, fishery, hotel and services sectors and totalled US$ 138.178 million and K109.204 billion.The projects are expected to create over 4,000 job opportunities. The new projects approved by the MIC include two 30 MW solar power projects in Sagaing Region and a shrimp farm project in Tanintharyi Region.

The solar power projects are in keeping with the commitment made by State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi to tackle climate change in her address to the virtual Climate Ambition Summit held on 12 December 2020. In her statement, the State Counsellor announced Myanmar’s intention to submit its Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) by the end of the year. The NDC will aim to reduce over 243 million tonnes of carbon dioxide by increasing the share of renewable energy to 39% and reducing the net emission from the forestry sector by 25%.

It is learnt that Singapore, People’s Republic of China and Thailand currently head the list of 51 countries/regions investing in Myanmar. Investments in 12 sectors include — 26.11 % in the electricity sector, 26.03 % in the oil and gas sector and 14.58 in the manufacturing sector.

MNA

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A ceremony to hand over the ‘Notice to Proceed’ letter for the integrated domestic gas to power project was held at the Ministry of Electricity and Energy yesterday morning.

The 592 MW power project is invested by Thai-based PTTEP company in Kyaiklat Township in Ayeyawady Region.

The ceremony was attended by Union Minister U Win Khaing, Deputy Ministers U Khin Maung Win and Dr Tun Naing, Permanent Secretary U Than Zaw and departmental heads.

CEO of PTTEP Mr Phongsthorn Thavisin and company officials joined the event via videoconferencing.

The Union Minister said that the natural gas from the offshore blocks M-3 (Aung Theinkha project) and M-9 (Zawtika project) would be supplied to the integrated domestic gas to power project with the investment of PTTEP under IPP/BOT system.

The gas from M-3 blocks will be conveyed through 16-inch diameter subsea pipelines for 92-km length, from M-9 block in Taninthayi Region through 26-inch diameter subsea pipelines for 300-km length to Daw Nyein Control Station.

The 26-inch diameter inland pipelines will be used for 70-km length to the receiving station in Kyaiklat Township and 16-inch diameter pipeline for another 6-km length to the 592 MW power station.

The investment value of the project will be about US$2 billion, and it will be implemented in the first six months of 2024 to supply electricity to the development projects in Yangon and Ayeyawady regions and it will be transferred to Myanmar after 20 years of power.

MNA

(Translated by Aung Khin)

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UNION Minister for Hotels and Tourism held a videoconference with the Myanmar Tourism Federation and its 11 associate members yesterday.

Union Minister U Ohn Maung made discussions at the virtual meeting which was participated by Deputy Minister U Tin Latt, the directors-general, officials, chairpersons and secretaries of 11 associate members.

At the meeting, the Union Minister said that the Myanmar Tourism Strategic Recovery Roadmap (MTSRR) 2021-2025 will be announced in the next meeting of the National Tourism Development Central Committee.

The roadmap was jointly proposed by the UN World Tourism Organization and the Lux Dev, the Luxembourg Aid and Development Agency, and it has been approved by the Union Government.

The Union Minister also quoted the passage from the speech of State Counsellor at the 1/2020 meeting of National Tourism Development Central Committee to make preparations and give training in COVID Safe Service.

He added that the MoHT would issue the Enchanting Myanmar Health and Safety Protocol (HSP) in line with the directives of Ministry of Health and Sports and the rules of international tourism organizations such as UNWTO and the WTTC. The protocol has also been approved by the Union Government.

In coordination with the Ministry of Health and Sports, the Ministry of Labour, Immigration and Population and the National Skills Standards Authority Myanmar, the Ministry of Hotels and Tourism is conducting the COVID-19 Safe Service Master Trainer Course and the Inspector Training for Inspection course in Yangon and Mandalay.

The ministry will also allow the ‘Day Trip Flight to Ngapali’, the ‘Day Trip Flight to Bagan’ and the ‘Caravan Tour’ in line with the rules and directives of MoHS after discussions with the relevant ministries, local governments and tourism organizations while searching new sites near Nay Pyi Taw for the rural tourism sector and other destinations under the Heritage & Cultural Tourism, the Nature-Based & Eco-Tourism, the Agriculture & Farming Tourism, the Coastal Inland Water Tourism, the River & Rail Tourism, the Adventure & Sports Tourism, the Gastronomy Tourism, the Caravan Tourism, and the Urban & MICE Tourism.

The chairpersons and secretaries of MTF and 11 associate members reported on their cooperation in COVID-19 prevention Yellow Campaign, implementation of a floating market in Inlay area, the ongoing and future plans for Non-Landing Sightseeing Flight and the River Cruise, the Agriculture & Farming Tourism and making video clips for Myanmar famous foods and loan programmes in this tourism industry.

The senior officials of MoHT also discussed the works of respective departments.

MNA

(Translated by Aung Khin)

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UNION Minister for Education Dr Myo Thein Gyi held an online meeting with teachers from the basic education, and the technological and vocational education sectors for drafting the National Education Strategic Plan (NESP) (2021-2030) yesterday morning.

The meeting was also joined by the Deputy Minister, the Permanent Secretary, Directors-General, Deputy Directors-General, teachers and relevant officials.

During the meeting, the Union Minister said that the conventional education system is based on rote learning and focuses only on exam scores. He continued that the “New Normal Education System”, with the advancement of technology, focusses on various technologies including artificial intelligence.

He said that the implementation period of NESP 2 (2021- 2030) had been set to be 10 years in order to be in line with the Myanmar Sustainable Development Plan (MSDP), the 17 goals of the Sustainable Development Goals - SDGs (2016-2030), and OECD’s Future of Education and Skills 2030.

He pointed out that universities and schools need to cooperate with societies, factories and businesses. He added that the curriculum designs need to focus on 21st-century knowledge and skills.

He said that there should be no discrimination in the implementation of NESP (2016-2021). The education system should encourage students to have humanitarian spirit, to perform tasks responsibly and to innovate.

He stressed that appointments of teachers and promotion procedures are based on the Teacher Competency Standards Framework, Career Pathways and Qualification Sheet for ensuring equal opportunities for every teacher.

He said that infrastructures; including staff housing, technological infrastructures and buildings; must be enhanced in schools in ethnic areas.

Speaking on the progress in primary learning outcomes in Myanmar, he said that Myanmar had ranked third out of six Southeast Asian nations in the Southeast Asia Primary Learning Matrix (SEA-PLM).

The Union Minister also highlighted the importance of the English language and ICT not only for students but also for teachers.

The Union Minister also reiterated UNESCO’s “Nine ideas for public action”: (1) Commit to strengthening education as a common good (2) Expand the definition of the right to education so that it addresses the importance of connectivity and access to knowledge and information (3) Value the teaching profession and teacher collaboration (4) Promote students, youth and children’s participation and rights (5) Protect the social spaces provided by schools as we transform education (6) Make free and open source technologies available to teachers and students (7) Ensure scientific literacy within the curriculum (8) Protect domestic and international financing of public education and (9) Advance global solidarity to end current levels of inequality. He urged all stakeholders to work together for the reform of education effectively. The Permanent Secretary, the Director-General of the Department of Basic Education, and other participants also made explanations, discussions and suggestions in the meeting.

MNA

(Translated by Maung Maung Swe)

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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)

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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)

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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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