Chairman of the State Administration Council Prime Minister Senior General Min Aung Hlaing yesterday afternoon inspected the advanced paper mill (Thaboung) and the newsprint plant (Thaboung) of the Ministry of Industry in Thaboung Township of Ayeyawady Region.
Union Minister for Industry Dr Charlie Than and the managing director of No 3 Heavy Industries Enterprise reported on the background histories of two factories, the production of pulp, paper and newsprints before halting, types of inputs and products, serving of personnel, industrial raw plantations, payment of salaries and pensions for staff in financial years, the invitation for government-private sector to operate the factories, and plans to be implemented under the guidance of the Prime Minister.
Union Minister for Energy U Myo Myint Oo reported on the production of natural gas from the Maubin well, the distribution of natural gas from the Maubin and Nyaungdon oilfields to relevant factories, the need for CNG for the advanced paper mill (Thaboung) and newsprint plant (Thaboung) and need for maintenance of CNG pipelines.
Union Minister for Natural Resources and Environmental Conservation U Khin Maung Yi reported on the availability of bamboo raw materials from natural forests for the advanced paper mill (Thaboung) and newsprint plant (Thaboung), the annual supply of bamboo at Thaboung paper mill, the potential for the per-acre yield of bamboo plantations and growing of rapid growth plants for the production of pulp.
Chairman of Myanmar Economic Corporation Lt-Gen Nyo Saw presented reports on the inspection of machinery at two factories, the inspection of plantations and ways to seek energy.
In his response to the reports, the Senior General said that bamboo and timber as well as energy will be required for resuming the factories. After repairing the factories, it is necessary to emphasize expanding the works. The Senior General stressed the need to set up forest and bamboo plantations which will be raw materials. The pulp can be produced in Kachin State and Sagaing Region and these pulps can be sent to the paper mill. As arrangements to resume the paper mills are for the sake of the national interests, officials need to emphasize their duties and functions. Thanks to factories, they can reduce the spending of foreign exchange on the import of paper to meet the local demand and create job opportunities.
After inspecting the types of papers produced by the mill, the Senior General gave the necessary instructions. The Senior General then inspected Pulping Plant, a 50-tonne paper mill, 60-tonne newsprint plant.
The Senior General presented cash awards for staff from two factories to officials and cordially greeted the staff. — MNA/TTA
