Nay Pyi Taw June 21
Chairman of State Administration Council Prime Minister Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, accompanied by SAC Joint Secretary General Ye Win Oo and members of the entourage and the Yangon Region Chief Minister, the Yangon Command Commander and officials, inspected production promotion undertakings at factories in Yangon Region this morning.
No 2 Heavy Industries, electronic devices and electric motor workshop, Shwekatha Company Limited, solar panel factory
On arrival at the No 2 Heavy Industries, electronic devices and electric motor workshop, Shwekatha Company Limited, solar panel factory, the Senior General and party were welcomed by Union Minister for Industry Dr Charlie Than and officials.
At the meeting hall of the company, the union minister presented a report on progress in implementing the policy and directives in connection with solar power, points of the electronic devices and electric motor workshop and solar panel workshop, No 24 Heavy Indus-try (Dagon), market demand of solar panels, solar panel exports, solar panel manufacturing technology, types of solar panels and a comparison between them and use of solar panels in generating electricity, the managing director of Shwekatha Company Limited, on the solar panel production process and annual stage-by-stage pro-gress of solar panel production.
In connection with the reports, the Senior General said domestically manufactured solar panels must meet the quality of their foreign counterparts. Local solar panel industries must enhance the quality of their products through constant study of the developing solar panel production technologies of the current age. As the country has fine weather and many sunny days, solar power production must be encouraged. It was in 2022 that progress in solar power generation was highlighted. The solar power industry is the fastest way to fulfil the country’s electricity demand. Raw materials for solar panels must be produced within. For example, raw materials like silicon are a must and means must be sought to produce them domestically. Adequate production of solar panels internally will be a huge supplier for domestic electricity needs. Solar power must be encouraged as it is renewable and eco-friendly.
The country is importing fuel for electricity. In this regard, it should concentrate on various sources of renewable energy, as abundant electricity supply can further develop socioeconomic conditions. Although hydro-power projects generate renewable energy, they need time and money. As solar power stations of any size from manageable-scale to industry use can be erected in a short time, it is a better alternative. On average, the country gets over 300 days of sunshine, and solar power promises low cost and higher profits for production industries. Entrepreneurs with financial power should turn their attention to making investments in the solar power industry, and they must be provided with incentives. The ministry should strive to erect solar power stations from home use to industrial use. Introduction of solar power in towns and villages will help raise the living standard. Solar power industry will be very beneficial for the country. The Ministry of Electric Power and the Ministry of Industry should join hands to fulfil local solar panel demand.
As regards electricity, local wire demand must be met through domestic production. As the country has an adequate supply of copper, the basic need for wires, efforts must be made to reach this end.
The Union Minister for Industry presented a commemorative gift of the plant to the Senior General.
The Senior General and party inspected production process of solar panels at the solar panel plant, the solar panels purchased from the market in 2021 for test production of solar panels, and products of the company and gave necessary guidance to officials.
Tyre Factory (Ywama)
In inspecting the workshop of Tyre Factory (Ywama) of Myanmar Economic Corporation which produces motorcycle tyres and tubes, the factory manager and officials reported to the Senior General on production of tyres and tubes for motorcycles and tri-wheeled cycles.
In his response, the Senior General gave guidance on making efforts to increase production of tyres and tubes for motor-rcycles and tri-wheeled cycles to meet the domestic demand, to ensure production of quality products and sufficiency of domestic market, and seeking market share and other necessary measures.
No 3 Steel Mill (Ywama)
At the meeting hall of No 3 Steel Mill (Ywama) of MEC, the Senior General heard reports by SAC member MEC Chairman General Nyo Saw and the mill manager on the brief history of the mill, production process, efforts to produce high quality steel products, conducting quality control, reinstallation of machinery for the production machine which declines produc-tion capacity and upgrading of the machine, facts about the mill, production of steel and related accessories, bolt and nuts, production of steel products, machine capacity, systematic pro-duction of quality products, control of quality for deformed bars which are higher than the set quality, iron melting video documentation, and sending HRB-500 steel billets from the mill to the No 1 Steel Mill (Kyaukswekyo).
After hearing the reports, the Senior General stressed the need to encourage domestic steel production as construction sites in the country require steel products. Production must meet quantities and quality.
The Senior General inspected quality of steel products produced by the mill and foreign-made ones.
In visiting the mill, the Senior General inspected production of HRB-500 Steel Billets and gave necessary guidance to officials.
The Senior General presented cash awards for employees of the mill to the mill manager.
No 2 Steel Mill (Myaungdaga)
On arrival at No 2 Steel Mill (Myaungdaga) of MEC in Hmaw-bi Township, the Senior General heard reports by SAC member MEC Chairman General Nyo Saw on the brief history of the mill, accomplishment of the guidance given by the Senior General. The mill manager also presented a report on facts about the mill, production process, production of steel frames used at river crossing bridges up to date, manufacturing of steel frames for the overpasses, production of tower poles, coating of products, efforts to produce steel frames for bridges and related accessories, and manufacturing of tower poles.
In his speech, the Senior General said that as the steel production industry is an essential sector for the nation, the mill is necessary to systematically continue the production of tower poles and steel bridge frames. Since there is a high demand for deformed bars primarily used in construction, it is important to ensure sufficient domestic production. If steel products for construction projects have to be imported every year, it will result in a significant financial burden for the country. Therefore, it is necessary to systema-tically utilize the available do-mestic iron resources to meet production needs. Priority should be given to producing steel billets, from which deformed bars used in construction can subsequently be manufactured. Efforts must also be made to upgrade existing domestic steel mills. During the Mandalay earthquake, inspections revealed that some construction steel products lacked sufficient quality, which served as a lesson. To ensure strong and durable construction, it is necessary to produce high-quality steel products specifically for construction purposes.
The Senior General and party visited the mill and inspected production process of bridge frames and iron wares. The Senior General gave necessary guidance and presented cash awards for employees.
The Senior General and party inspected the jetty of the mill and gave necessary guidance to officials.
