Chairman of State Administration Council Prime Minister Senior General Min Aung Hlaing formally opens Newsprint Factory (Thabaung) of Myanmar Economic Corporation
NAY PYI TAW August 12
Newsprint Factory (Thabaung) of Myanmar Economic Corporation was commissioned into service this morning attended by Chairman of State Administration Council Prime Minister Senior General Min Aung Hlaing.
The Senior General accompanied by SAC Joint Secretary Lt-Gen Ye Win Oo, union ministers, the chief of General Staff (Army, Navy and Air), senior military officers, Ayeyawady Region Chief Minister U Tin Maung Win, the South-West Command commander and officials, arrived at the factory and was warmly welcomed by staff of high quality paper factory (Thabaung) and the factory and Ministry of Industry.
At the factory meeting hall, Union Minister for Natural Resources and Environmental Conservation U Khin Maung Yi reported on raw material availability of the factory, a study of producing pulp from various kinds of bamboo species and bamboo and wood species that should be planted for pulp production, raw material for pulp production from private hardwood plantations, and land allotted for bamboo and hardwood plantations.
Union Minister for Energy U Ko Ko Lwin reported on inspection and repair of Kangyidaunk- Thabaung natural gas pipeline to supply gas to the factory, substitution of pipes, upgrading of gas distribution system, gas supply to the factory, and Union Minister for Industry U Charlie Than on points of both factories, field study to transfer factories to MEC, operations of the factories, and the benefits from the resumption of the factories.
Adviser of SAC Chairman Chair of MEC Lt-Gen Nyo Saw presented on the handover of the two factories from Industry Ministry to MEC, establishment of bamboo and hardwood plantations for the factories, preparations to resume operations of the newsprint factory, installation of machinery, proper fitting of equipment with the help of experts from the company that installed the machines.
In response, the Senior General said today on which the newsprint factory resumed operations is an auspicious day.
The high quality paper factory and the newsprint factory had to stop operations due to various reasons. The country has to spend a lot of foreign exchange to import office- and schoolused and newsprint to fulfill the daily demand. In the past, Sittoung paper factory, Yeni paper factory and Thabaung paper factory were running.
Because of its age Sittoung paper factory was dismantled.
The current group of factories will be able to produce newsprint and other types of paper if they can run at full capacity.
Increase in the use of online media has weakened the print media. Although there is a drop in newsprint demand, every country is still publishing dailies as they serve as historical records.
Hence, demand for newsprint remains. Arrangements should be made to ensure constant raw material supply for the newsprint factory from near by areas to reduce production cost. Commercially viable bamboo and forest plantations are required. MoE should ensure constant supply of gas.
During the inspection of the halted factory, the quality of the newsprint it had produced was rather high. The factory will also be able to produce exercise books and text books. If the country can fulfill its paper demand it can reduce a lot of FE.
The country must also manufacture export-substitute rubber products and social goods.
Therefore, we are making efforts to be able to ensure that factories and workshops suspended due to various reasons will resume operation. Efforts are to be made to continue to boost production of this paper mill.
Next, as the second part of the ceremony, a ceremony to open a gas station was held at the Thabaung Natural Gas Distributing Station and the Senior General formally opened the gas station by switching on the gas pipeline bar. Then, the Senior General and party took a tour of the natural gas distribution station, inspected distribution of natural gas with filtration system, pressure regulation system and metering system and gave necessary instructions on the report by officials.
Afterwards, the Union Minister for Industry, the Chief Minister of Ayeyawady Region, and the Advisor to the Chairman of State Administration Council Chairman of Myanmar Economic Corporation formally opened the ceremony to start operating the Newsprint Plant (Thabaung). Then, the Senior General formally unveiled the signboard for the Newsprint Plant (Thabaung) and presented a bonus cash to personnel who made efforts to resume operation of the plant through the head of the plant. The Senior General had a documentary photo taken together with the attendees.
Then, the Senior General and the attendees took positions at the chip preparation plant where the Senior General formally opened the Newsprint Plant (Thabaung) by pressing a button.
Afterwards, the Senior General and party took a tour of the plant, inspected chip preparation plant, paper making plant and finishing section and gave instructions on the report by officials.
Then, the Senior General and the attendees signed in the first sheet of newsprint manufactured at the plant.
Afterwards, the Senior General presented a gift of fruit basket to foreign experts who got involved in the project to resume operation of the plant.
Next, the Senior General and party took a tour of the plant and gave instructions on the report by officials to resume operation of the plant.
Afterwards, the Senior General and party had lunch together with the personnel of the Advanced Paper Mill (Thabaung) and the Newsprint Plant (Thabaung). Before enjoying the lunch, the Senior General said that the plant is important for the nation. In the past, the plant was suspended due to various reasons. Now, it has started resuming operation in a short time thanks to the ability of original personnel to keep maintaining the plant. As the plant’s operation will be of much benefit to the State, such maintenance making the plant have a minimum repair is recognized and it is grateful for that.
Literature plays a key role in the improvement of life. To study literature, paper is essential to print and publish texts. As our country is rich in raw materials to produce paper, efforts were made to resume operation of the plant for newsprint production.
Similarly, the industry sector is important for the development of a nation. Only if the sector is developed, will there be a modern and developed nation. Items needed for domestic consumption could be manufactured through the commodity production in the sector.
That will help reduce imports and save foreign exchange expenditure.
With the use of domestic raw materials, the factories already being in the country could operate commodity production and therefore, we are making efforts to resume operation of other factories.
Operating industries and commodity production businesses will help create more job opportunities.
Resuming operation of the newsprint plant has opened a new chapter to the nation’s industry sector. Thus, personnel at the plant are to be dutiful in another way to help achieve development of the nation.
After lunch, the Senior General cordially greeted the personnel of the plant.
The Newsprint Plant (Thabaung) had been suspended due to various reasons. Now, it has started resuming the operation to produce newsprint to meet the demand for the nation. That will help save foreign exchange expenditure and recreate job opportunities as well.