THE first exhibition of Japanese clay sculptures to be held in Myanmar opens on the top floor of Yangon’s Sakura tower on July 27.The 13-day exhibition, organised by the Japan Foundation and the Japanese embassy, will feature 44 works by 29 Japanese clay sculptors.The exhibition will also display creations by Myanmar clay sculptor Pachi (U) Soe Naing, a statement released by the Japanese embassy said.
Clay sculptures, which are is not fired in a kiln, have become increasingly popular in Japan over the past two decades, the statement said.There will be free admission to the exhibition.
By Nyi Nyi Aung

The state-run China Daily reported on July 5 that training was being provided to police from Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam as part of efforts to expand security cooperation with members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. Ten police officers from Cambodia completed the course in late July, becoming the first from an ASEAN member to receive training in China.

MYANMAR exported nearly 43,000 tonnes of seafood in the first quarter of the current fiscal year, an increase of more than 5000 tonnes over the same period last year, show figures from the Department of Fisheries.

The inaugural India-ASEAN touring rally, following a route of just over 5000 kilometres, is due to leave the northeastern Indian city of Guwahati on November 23 and end in Bangkok on December 6.

SEVERAL new versions of the ‘Lovegate worm’ computer virus that have spread throughout the world in recent months have reached Myanmar, infecting networked computers and damaging files, said a spokesperson at Bagan Cybertech last week.

THE Minister of Immigration and Population, Major General Sein Htwa, highlighted measures taken by the government to improve the quality of women’s lives at a ceremony to mark World Population Day, which falls on July 11.

The used books were donated by the Myanmar Youth Association, which was founded in 2001 by Myanmar living in the US. The books were handed over to representatives of the ministries of Education, Health, Culture, Science and Technology, and Transport.

He said the area used to grow tea had risen from 154,000 acres in 1995-96 to 188,000 acres in 2003-2004 and production had increased from 32.5 million viss of green tea leaves to 45.5 million viss during the same period. A viss is 3.6 pounds.

AN INTERNATIONAL environmental organisation has suggested that the government enlarge a national park in Tanintharyi Division to help protect a number of endangered birds, including Gurney’s Pitta. The suggestion to add another 50,000 hectares to the Lenya National Park in the south of the division has been made by Birdlife International, a global partnership of conservation groups.

MEMBERS of an American non-government organisation, Teachers Across Borders, have for the first time presented a special education program in Myanmar.The program, involving seven members of Teachers Across Borders, was presented at the University of Education in Yangon from July 5 to 17.

THE Department of Social Welfare has introduced a registration scheme aimed at tightening controls over the operations of private kindergartens.The scheme requires the kindergartens to register with the department by the end of July.

A LEADING property developer, the Eden Group Company, is planning to invest about US$8 million on hotel projects at Bagan and Ngapali Beach.“These areas have strong tourist potential, so they are good places to build hotels,” said U Chit Khine, the managing director of the company.

Notes providing for the assistance were signed by the Japanese ambassador, Mr Yuji Miyamoto, and the Minister for National Planning and Economic Development, U Soe Tha, at a ceremony at the ministry on July 9, the statement said.

A RISE in sales of VCD players has contributed to a welcome increase in business for many movie rental shops, with demand for VCDs expanding steadily over the past year, market sources say.

YANGON Division Buses Control Committee handed over K3.44 million to children of its employees to help cover the cost of their education at a ceremony held late last month.

KO Thant Zin is excited at the prospect of a brighter future thanks to a course he is undertaking at a vocational training school for disabled men operated by the Social Welfare Department in Mayangone township.