NAY PYI TAW February 7
Chairman of the State Administration Council Prime Minister Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, accompanied by entourages, Chief Minister of Ayeyawady Region U Tin Maung Win, Commander of the South West Command Brig Gen Kyi Khaing and officials, inspected the Advanced Paper Mill (Thabaung) and Newsprint Paper Mill (Thabaung) of the Ministry of Industry in Thabaung Township in Ayeyawady Region this afternoon.
First, the Senior General and party were greeted by staff of the paper mills. Then, Union Minister for Industry Dr Charlie Than and the managing director of No. (3) Heavy Industries Enterprise reported to the Senior General on brief histories of and information about the mills, production of pulp, paper and newsprint paper during the period from their establishment to suspension of their operations, inputs and kinds of products, production, performance of duties by staff, establishment of forest plantations for raw materials, payments of salaries and pensions in respective fiscal year, invitation for public-private cooperation program and suspension of the program and future tasks to be carried out under the guidance of the Senior General at the briefing hall of the mills.
Then, Union Minister for Energy U Myo Myint Oo reported to the Senior General on production of natural gas from Maubin gas well, production of natural gas from Maubin and Nyaungdon oil and gas fields and distribution of gas to relevant factories, gas demand for operations of the paper mills and inspection and maintenance of gas pipes.
Afterwards, Union Minister for Natural Resources and Environmental Conservation U Khin Maung Yi reported to the Senior General on availability of bamboo raw materials for the paper mills, various kinds of bamboo grown in Myanmar and paper production, yearly availability of bamboo in the area where the paper mills are located, peracre yield of respective kinds of bamboo if bamboo plantations are established in the area and cultivation of fast growing trees for production of pulp.
Then, Chairman of Myanmar Economic Corporation Lt-Gen Nyo Saw reported to the Senior General on inspection and maintenance of machines of the paper mills and plantations and methods of energy supply for the mills.
After hearing the reports, the Senior General said the demand for paper is growing in the country and paper is imported from other countries to meet the daily need of paper in offices, schools and for newspapers. Reoperation of the mills needs bamboo and wood raw materials and energy. Expansion of the mills must be carried out after the mills have been in operation again. Forest and bamboo plantations must be established for raw material needs. Pulp must be produced in Kachin State and Sagaing Region and transported to the paper mills. As measures taken for reoperation of the mill amount to serving the national interests, responsible officials are required to take the matter seriously. As paper is imported from other countries, reoperation of the mills can reduce foreign exchange spending and create job opportunities. Responsible officials are required to coordinate and cooperate for resumption of operations of the mills as soon as possible.
Then, the Senior General inspected various kinds of paper displayed there and gave necessary instructions. Then, the Senior General and party inspected the pulping plant, the 50-ton paper mill and 60 ton newsprint paper mill by car and attended to the needs reported by officials.
Then, the Senior General presented cash rewards for staff of the mills to responsible officials and cordially greeted the staff.
