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).

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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.

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OFFICIALS from the Peace Commission and two ministries discussed holding a coordination meeting with Kayin National Union representatives for the implementation of Bawkahta hydropower project at the National Reconciliation and Peace Centre in Nay Pyi Taw yesterday.

Peace Commission’s Secretary Lt-Gen Khin Zaw Oo (Rtd), advisory board member U Hla Maung Shwe and U Moe Zaw Oo, the Ministry of Electricity and Energy’s Permanent Secretary U Than Zaw, the Ministry of the State Counsellor Office’s Director-General U Zaw Htay, MoEE Directors-General U Hein Htet, Daw Mi Mi Khaing and officials attended the meeting.

State Counsellor Office’s Director-General U Zaw Htay reported on the KNU’s proposals and conditions relating to the Bawkahta hydropower project.

Ministry of Electricity and Energy’s Permanent Secretary U Than Zaw, Directors-General U Hein Htet and Daw Mi Mi Khaing discussed matters relating to the implementation of Bowkahta hydropower project, government’s policies on the implementation of hydropower projects, and plans for the performance of hydropower projects for peace.

Peace Commission’s Secretary Lt-Gen Khin Zaw Oo (Rtd), advisory board member U Hla Maung Shwe and U Moe Zaw Oo detailed about the peace processes.

The meeting also discussed the KNU’s proposals for Bawkahta hydropower project and holding a coordination meeting with KNU representatives for the implementation of the Bawkahta hydropower project. The hydropower project is located in Kyauk Kyi Township, Bago Region.

MNA

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(Translated by Kyaw Zin Tun)

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THE Ministry of Construction, in cooperation with Yangon Region government, Mandalay Region government, Nay Pyi Taw Council and private businesspersons, will implement a 10,000-unit public rental housing project under COVID-19 Economics Relief Plan.

The Public Rental Housing Construction Steering Committee held an online meeting on the project yesterday.

The Committee’s Chairman Union Minister for Construction U Han Zaw, Secretary Deputy Minister Dr Kyaw Lin, Permanent Secretary U Shwe Lay, Department of Urban and Housing Development Director-General U Min Htein and officials, Ministry of Planning, Finance and Industry’s Deputy Minister U Sett Aung, Nay Pyi Taw Council member U Tin Tun, Yangon Region Electricity, Industry, Road and Communications Minister Daw Nilar Kyaw, Mandalay Region Electricity, Energy and Construction Minister U Zarni Aung, and chairpersons of three businesspersons associations participated in the meeting.

Speaking at the meeting, the Union Minister said that Public Rental Housing Construction Steering Committee had been formed to implement the works on construction budget, signing contracts, pre-engineering works, and structure designs in the short term.

The purpose of the 12-month project is to provide job opportunities and accommodations for the public under the CERP.

Three private associations will bear the costs of the project, which will be then paid from the excess budget (2019-2020FY) of the Ministry of Construction. The ministry was allowed to use the excess budget K130 billion of 2019-2020FY for the project.

Secretary of the Committee and Deputy Minister for Construction Dr Kyaw Lin briefed about the construction project.

Deputy Minister for Planning, Finance and Industry U Sett Aung discussed the matters relating to contract rules for the project and payment of the funds in time.

Yangon Region minister Daw Nilar Kyaw, Mandalay Region minister U Zarni Aung, Nay Pyi Taw Council member U Tin Tun, Chairman of the Myanmar Construction Entrepreneurs Association U Shein Win, Myanmar Licenced Contractors Association Chairman U Kyaw Win and Myanmar Urban and Infrastructure Development Entrepreneurs Association Chairman U Weik made discussion about the project.

The meeting was concluded after the remarks of Deputy Minister Dr Kyaw Lin.

—MNA

Translated by Kyaw Zin Tun

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THE 5th Asia Pacific Summit of Mayors organized by the Asia Pacific Cities Alliance for Tobacco Control and NCDs Prevention (APCAT) was hosted by Nepal online yesterday.

Nay Pyi Taw Council Chairman Mayor Dr Myo Aung participated in the virtual meeting from his office in Nay Pyi Taw.

Speaking at the meeting, the mayor discussed matters related to the implementation in Nay Pyi Taw to be smoke-free, smoking behaviours among adults and youths, health risks of smoking, and the needs of smoking control activities.

He said that the city has formed a task force on the control of smoking and tobacco use in 2019-2020, and made a public announcement on the rules for smoking and tobacco products control.

Coordination meetings with township-level officials were organized in cooperation with the Ministry of Health and Sports. Meetings with cigarette and tobacco producers were also held, and awareness posters about the health effects of smoking and tobacco use were set up citywide, he added.

He said the city would speed up the works on control of cigarette smoking and tobacco use and prevention of communicable diseases in the years to come.

Officials from the World Health Organization, ministers and mayors from the Asia-Pacific nations, and invited guests joined the meeting online.

— MNA

Translated by Kyaw Zin Tun

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THE Ministry of Ethnic Affairs convened the third coordination online meeting on drafting a strategy for the rights of Myanmar nationals yesterday.

At the opening ceremony of the meeting, Union Minister Nai Thet Lwin explained the works of ministry for the rights of national people, including development projects in ethnic areas, conducting environmental impact analysis, socio-economic development programmes, excursion tours to promote friendly relationship among national people, the publication of child storybooks in ethnic languages and appointment of teaching assistant and language teachers.

The ministry is also organizing festivals of ethnic affairs and traditions in coordination with public and private sectors and drafting rules for the protection of ethnic rights.

 The strategy for rights of Myanmar nationals will be based on fundamental ethnic affairs and surveys conducted in 2018-2019 financial year.

The Union Minister added the strategy should meet the policy and objectives of the government that is working for the establishment of a Democratic Federal Union, national reconciliation and eternal peace.

Equal citizen rights for all national people, their constitutional rights, provisions to protect their rights and ensuring consistency to the Myanmar Sustainable Development Plan will be enshrined in the strategy.

Director-General U Min Aye Ko from the Department of Ethnic Rights reported on the yearly implementation for the drafting the strategy; Director Naw Ei Ei Min from the Point-Promotion of Indigenous and Nature Together presented cooperation of their organization in drafting the strategy; Deputy Director Daw Thinzar Naing explained the six titles in the third draft of the strategy.

The online coordination meeting was continued, and it was participated by 145 representatives of ethnic races from regions and states.

—MNA

Translated by Aung Khin

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THE National Skill Standards Authority began the 10th batch of Assessor Methodology Online Training yesterday morning.

Union Minister for Labour, Immigration and Population U Thein Swe, in his capacity as Chairperson of Central Body for Employment and Skill Development, delivered a speech at the opening ceremony of the training via videoconferencing.

Mining and Engineering Occupational Skill Standards Committee, Agricultural Occupational Skill Standards Committee and Business and Service Skill Standards Committee selected the trainees for the Assessor Methodology Online Training (10th Batch), said the Union Minister.

Assessor Methodology Training was launched online in accordance with New Normal situations. Since May 2020, the training has been provided for 23 jobs.

The NSSA has been in operation for seven years, according to the Union Minister, who expressed thanks to all the stakeholders for their cooperation and for making the NSSA successful to some extent.

The Union Minister said that the NSSA aims to develop skills for a large workforce in Myanmar in order for the workers to get decent jobs.

He said that the NSSA is making efforts to promote mutual recognition of skills within ASEAN nations, and it is also cooperating with Thailand’s Ministry of Labour.

At present, there are more than 22 million workers in Myanmar, but the NSSA could award national-level occupational skill certificates to only 16,519 skilled workers for 30 occupations, said the Union Minister.

In the 2020-2021 financial year, 3,000 workers were expected to receive skill assessments, but the target was not reached because of the limitations caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. So, assessment methods that are compatible with New Normal situations will be used.

The Union Minister pointed out that it is necessary to provide high-quality training for workers to acquire 21st-century skills in a timely manner.

The opening ceremony of the online training was participated by 71 people including officials from NSSA, 13 committees on occupational skill standards, the Skill Assessment and Accreditation Committee, the Federation of Myanmar Engineering Societies and GIZ, and trainees.

—MNA

Translated by Maung Maung Swe

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