Building the road of prosperity together for mutual benefits

The New light of Myanmar
Saturday, 29 November, 2003

Building the road of prosperity together for mutual benefits

True to a Myanmar aphorism that goes "Visitors come when the house is
pleasant", a continuous stream of precious visitors from foreign
nations comes to Myanmar. Bagan, a repository of Myanma cultural
heritage, or regions in various states and divisions replete with
scenic beauties, or regions with enchanting cultures of national
races, or the splendid Shwedagon Pagoda are the places always crowded
with tourists.

Myanmar is a country that flags its national prestige. Therefore,
guests and tourists take an endless delight in enjoying and studying
the fossils of Pontaung region capable of tracing back the ancient
history of Myanmar, stone-age clues seen along the Ayeyawady River and
at the Pyadalin Cave, and the arts and crafts as well as the
architecture of ancient dynasties from Sri Khittara down to Yadanabon.

The wealth of land and water resources; the increasing number of
irrigation facilities, roads, railroads, bridges, schools,
universities, hospitals, dispensaries, hydel power stations,
industrial zones and housing estates; and the rising mechanization of
farm work, all represent the true picture of Myanmar.

Precious guests and other tourists visiting Myanmar, where stability
and tranquillity prevail owing to the absence of the smell of cordite
as well as destructive acts and armed insurgencies, witness with their
very eyes how peaceful and pleasant Myanmar is to travel.

General Khin Nyunt, Prime Minister of the Union of Myanmar, attended
the ASEAN Summit held in Bali, Indonesia last October. All the member
countries of ASEAN unanimously hailed and approved of the seven-point
roadmap of Myanmar submitted by Prime Minister General Khin Nyunt to
establish a genuine, discipline-flourishing and new democratic nation.
Myanmar expressed her thanks to the member countries of ASEAN family
for their friendship, understanding and support of the roadmap.

Being a member of the ASEAN family, Myanmar cooperates with other
members in carrying out the tasks of the ASEAN and attends ASEAN
meetings held in member countries. Moreover, it can be seen on news
that Myanmar has hosted a number of ASEAN Senior Officials Meetings
and Ministerial Meetings.

According to the list of special guests visiting Myanmar during this
month, it is noted surprisingly that the guests were from good and
friendly neighbours of Myanmar.

On the 1st of November, Theravada Chinese Monk Maha
Saddammajotikadhaja Ashin Subhana (Su San Li) of Maesai North Mengxi
Missionary School in Thailand and his laity donated over K 45 million
and offered 'soon', robes and provisions to 500 members of the Sangha
at Pyilon Chantha Great Ordination Hall in Dagon Myothit (South),
Yangon Division. On the occasion, Daw Kyaing Kyaing, wife of the
Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council and
Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Senior General Than Shwe, also
attended the ceremony and offered provisions to members of the Sangha.

On the 2 November, at the invitation of Vice-Chairman of the State
Peace and Development Council Vice-Senior General Maung Aye, a
goodwill delegation led by Indian Vice-President Mr Bhairon Singh
Shekhawat arrived in Yangon by special aircraft on a goodwill visit.
Vice-Senior General Maung Aye himself and responsible personnel of
Myanmar welcomed the Indian delegation at the airport with a ceremony.

Indian Vice-President Mr Bhairon Singh Shekhawat was accompanied by
Deputy Minister of State for External Affairs Mr Didvijay Singh,
Members of Parliament (RS) Mr Anil Kumar, Mr B J Panda, and
responsible officials. At 6 pm on that day, Vice-Senior General Maung
Aye and party held discussions with the delegation led by visiting
Indian Vice-President at the Mingala Hall of Pyithu Hluttaw Building
on Pyay Road in Yangon.

At 7.20 pm, the ceremony to sign the bilateral agreement and
Memorandum of Understanding between Myanmar and India took place at
the Pyithu Hluttaw Building. Vice-Senior General Maung Aye and Indian
Vice-President Mr Bhairon Singh Shekhawat were both present on the
occasion. At the signing ceremony, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs
U Khin Maung Win and Indian Foreign Secretary Mr K Sibal signed the
Myanmar-India Agreement on Visa Exemption for Officials and Diplomatic
Passports and exchanged the documents.

Moreover, Deputy Minister for Education U Myo Nyunt and Indian Foreign
Secretary Mr K Sibal also signed an MoU between the Ministry of
Education of Myanmar and the Ministry of Human Resources Development
of India. At 7.30 pm, Vice-Senior General Maung Aye hosted a dinner in
honour of Indian Vice-President Mr Bhairon Singh Shekhawat and his
entourage.

On 3 November, Indian Vice-President Mr Bhairon Singh Shekhawat called
on Senior General Than Shwe, Chairman of the State Peace and
Development Council of the Union of Myanmar at the Credentials Hall of
Pyithu Hluttaw Building. The visiting Indian Vice-President paid
homage to the Shwedagon Pagoda in the morning and attended a reception
at the Myanmar-India Business Club at 6.30 pm.

At 2 pm, Indian Foreign Secretary Mr K Sibal explained the purpose of
the goodwill visit of the Indian delegation led by Vice-President Mr
Bhairon Singh Shekhawat at the press conference held at the Traders
Hotel on Sule Pagoda Road.

In his explanation, Mr K Sibal said that the Myanmar-India bilateral
relations were encouraging; that there was a regular exchange of
visits among the senior officials of both countries; that a remarkable
increase had been seen in economic, cultural, education, and science
and technology spheres; that five agreements between the two countries
had been signed this year, and two others were also signed during the
visit; and that they attached importance to those agreements.

(To be continued)

Author :  Tekkatho Myat Thu   
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