Record earnings for domestic pearl sale

THE domestic pearl sale that ended on November 30 sold over 90 percent of the lots on offer, said U Sein Lwin, Myanmar Pearl Enterprise’s (MPE) general manager, on December 3. He added that the sale was the most successful held to date. “Revenues from this sale are much higher than any of the other domestic pearl auctions we’ve previously held,” he said, adding that it was a strictly Myanmar affair. The three-day event featured 36,025 individual South Sea pearls that were separated into 373 lots. Overall, the enterprise sold 338 lots – or 33,030 pearls. Some 52 traders and companies took part in the sale.
Meanwhile, U Sein Lwin said MPE expects this year’s harvest of South Sea pearls to touch 400,000. Myanmar has some 25,600 square kilometres of coastline dedicated to South Sea pearl cultivation. There are three foreign and two local companies operating in the industry – with most of the pearls exported. – Kyaw Thu

MCPA to raise fees next year

THE Myanmar Computer Professionals Association (MCPA) is planning to raise its membership fees and annual dues in January, said an official from the association.
As a result of the changes, ordinary members will have to pay a K4000 membership fee and K6000 in annual dues, while associate members must pay K3000 for membership and K4000 annually.
Student membership will be raised to K1500 plus K2000 a year.
The official said the increase was aimed at helping the association continue its activities, which included “spreading updated knowledge about information and communication technology among people” in Myanmar.
“We also plan to open branches of the association in all states and divisions,” he said, adding that branch offices had already been opened in Ayeyarwady Division in 2003, Sagaing Division in 2005 and Shan State last March.
“We’re planning to open branches in Kayin and Mon states in early 2008,” he said. – Zaw Win Than