THE Department of Ru­ral Development, under the Ministry of Coopera­tives and Rural Develop­ment, Mongyawng Dis­trict, Shan State (East), held a closing ceremony for the Basic Sewing Ma­chine Training Course at the Hawngkyant Village Hall yesterday.

Mongyawng Dis­trict Administration and Management Committee Chairman U Wai Maung first delivered the open­ing address, and District Department of Rural De­velopment Head U Sai Soe Soe explained the objectives and imple­mentation of the basic sewing machine training programme. The district administration commit­tee chairman, district head, and attending of­ficials then presented sewing machines and related equipment to three outstanding train­ees as incentive awards, and completion certifi­cates to all trainees who successfully completed the course. They also viewed garments made by the trainees and took commemorative group photographs.

The 45-day free training programme, conducted from 16 May to 30 June, was attended by trainees from Hawng­kyant Village-Tract, where qualified instruc­tors taught various basic sewing machine techniques. Outstand­ing trainees who genu­inely intend to start their own businesses will be eligible to receive loans from the Mya Sein Yaung Village Project revolving funds implemented by the department to set up their own businesses. — Karan (Rural)