Only when the industrial sector improves will it contribute to building a modern, developed country, Chairman of the State Administration Council Prime Minister Senior General Min Aung Hlaing was quoted as saying at the resumption of Newsprint Factory (Thaboung) of Myanmar Economic Corporation yesterday.
Union Ministers and the Adviser to the SAC Chairman MEC Chairman reported to the Senior General on the availability of raw pulp from private hardwood plantations, allotment of plots for the establishment of bamboo and hardwood plantations, supply of natural gas to the factory, potential benefits from the resumption of the factory, handover of the factory from Ministry of Industry to MEC, and refitting of machines at the factory by experts from the company in the past installation of machines.
In giving guidance, the Senior General noted that as daily newspapers reflect the history of the country, every country still publishes newspapers, demanding newsprint day after day.
The Senior General gave guidance, saying that as Newsprint Factory (Thaboung) requires a large volume of wood and bamboo raw materials, it should have forests and bamboo plantations on a commercial scale. The Ministry of Energy needs to supply natural gas which is a top requirement among inputs.
The Senior General expressed his satisfaction with the high quality of newsprint produced in the past. He remarked that the factory will contribute to the production of newsprint as well as printing school textbooks.
Regarding the manufacturing process, the Senior General pointed out that if other import products such as rubber products and personal goods can be manufactured at home, these products can be substituted in the placements of import goods.
The Senior General disclosed that the government is striving for re-operating factories halted for various reasons with the purpose of promoting domestic manufacturing.
The Senior General launched the gas station at the Thaboung natural gas distribution camp and inspected the supply of natural gas through a filtration system, pressure regulation system and metering system at the camp.
The Union Minister for Industry, the Ayeyawady Region Chief Minister and the Adviser to the SAC Chairman MEC Chairman cut the ribbon to commission the Newsprint Factory (Thaboung) into service.
The Senior General pressed the button to unveil the signboard of the factory and launched the chip preparation plant for operating the newsprint factory. He inspected the functioning of the Chip Preparation Plant, Paper Making Plant and Finishing Section. The Senior General and attendees put their signatures on the first-ever produced newsprint as records.
Before the lunch, the Senior General delivered a speech, saying that only when the industrial sector improves will it contribute to building a modern, developed country. Running industries and manufacturing processes can create employment opportunities. The resumption of the Newsprint Factory (Thaboung) revitalizes the industrial sector of Myanmar.
The Newsprint Factory (Thaboung) was halted for various reasons. The resumption of the factory will meet the paper demand of the country, reducing spending on foreign exchange and creating job opportunities. — MNA/TTA
