YANGON, Nov. 7 (Xinhuanet) -- Myanmar government spokesman Brigadier-General Kyaw Hsan confirmed here Monday that the government started moving from Sunday its ministries' offices from Yangon to Pyinmana in Mandalay division in the central part of thecountry.

    Kyaw Hsan, who is also Minister of Information, clarified at a news briefing that the reason for shifting the government headquarters from Yangon in southern part of the country, which had been the capital since independence in 1948, to Pyinmana, the center of the country, is to enable effective administration over the whole nation.

    Nine ministries including those of defense, foreign affairs, home affairs, agriculture, electric power, and commerce have begun moving as the first batch to the new capital, he said, adding thatall other ministries are to be moved out from Yangon but gave no details about how long it will take to complete.

    Pyinmana lies 390 kilometers north of Yangon and 300 km south of Mandalay. Pyinnama is a city of district level and the local population is estimated not to exceed 100,000. In the region, there lies three universities of agriculture, livestock and forestry.

    The building of offices of the government ministries and some apartments of civil servants as well as other infrastructures such as airfield, hospital and electric power plant at the new capital have almost been completed.

    Observers here believe that Pyinmana will be transformed into acapital for the country's central administration, while Yangon will remain as a commercial capital.   Enditem