Media roundup
July 19 - 25, 2010
Chin National Party to use cartoons
CHIN National Party is considering using cartoons to reach voters, Pyi Myanmar reported on July 15, quoting the party’s chairman.
Party leader U Zo Zam, a noted cartoonist, said it was difficult to campaign in Chin State because of transportation issues. The party is thinking to counter this by publishing cartoon’s about its policies.
He said the party plans to focus on winning voters in remote villages. Chin State has nine cities, the report said.
The report said U Zo Zam is a nephew of Dr Wan Ko Haw, who participated in the Pinlon Conference organised by Bogyoke Aung San in 1947.
Villages see the light with bio battery
SOME villages that aren’t connected to the national electricity grid are now using bio batteries to provide light, Popular News reported on July 15, quoting an official from the Department of Cottage Industries.
The department began teaching residents of some Ayeyarwady Division villages how to make the bio batteries from waste products in the second week of June. Electricity generated is then use to run LED lamps, the report said.
The raw materials for the bio battery are cow waste, empty purified drinking water bottles and old wooden boxes, baskets or batteries. Those interested in more information should call (01) 663-868.
China reduces tariffs on 5000 products
THIRTY-THREE countries including Myanmar are set to benefit from the Chinese government’s decision to reduce tariffs to zero on about 5000 products, The Yangon Times reported on July 15.
The report said China decreased tariffs to zero on about 5000 export products, mostly in the fisheries and agriculture sectors, quoting a Ministry of Commerce statement.
China’s prime minister published confirmation of the China tax committee tax changes on July 1.
U Ko Gyi, the deputy president of the Mandalay commodity centre, said the price of agricultural products in Myanmar may rise as a result of the tariff removal.
