MYANMAR will hold a contest in August to select the country’s representative for the first Miss ASEAN Culture 2004 quest, to be judged in the Indonesian capital, Jakarta, in October 8.

“The competition is being held to promote the tourism sector in the region,” said U Moe Kyaw, a central executive committee of the Union of Myanmar Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industries, which is organising the contest.

The winner of the quest will also serve as a goodwill ambassador at regional business events, said U Moe Kyaw, who is also the managing director of the Myanmar Marketing Research and Development Co., Ltd.

The decision to establish the Miss ASEAN Culture competition was made at meetings of the ASEAN Business Advisory Council and the grouping’s chambers of commerce and industry held in Yangon last December.

U Moe Kyaw said Myanmar’s entrant for the quest will be chosen from among 24 finalists at an event to be held at the National Indoor Stadium in Thingangyun township on August 1.

The finalists will be chosen from among 100 contestants selected at a series of events to be held between July 12 and 18.

The winning finalist will receive a prize of K3 million.

Contestants will be judged on their personality and knowledge of Myanmar culture and traditions.

The contest is open to women aged between 20 and 25 and the minimum educational qualification is a pass in the matriculation exam. Entries close on June 11.

U Moe Kyaw said the winner will undergo two months training in English, diplomacy skills and tourism knowledge before leaving for Jakarta.

“It is important for her to be well-trained as she will be representing the country,” U Moe Kyaw said.

The federation is organising the contest in collaboration with the Myanmar Women’s Affairs Federation, and the ministries of Sport, Commerce, and Hotels and Tourism.