Govt establishing modern State-owned factories of heavy investment Development of private industries encouraged Textile Factory (Pakokku) contributes to regional development, stands as import-substitute industry

YANGON, 1 Oct — A ceremony to inaugurate the Textile Factory (Pakokku) of Myanma Textile Industries of the Ministry of Industry-1, that was built 3 miles away from Pakokku in Magway Division took place at the factory this morning with an address by Chairman of Industrial Development Committee Prime Minister General Soe Win.

Also present at the ceremony were Chairman of Sagaing Division Peace and Development Council Commander of North-West Command Maj-Gen Tha Aye, the ministers, the deputy ministers, Chairman of Magway Division Peace and Development Council Col Phone Maw Shwe, officials of the State Peace and Development Council’s office, the heads of departments, officials of Tianjin Machinery Import and Export Corporation of the People’s Republic of China, employees of the factory, social organizations, locals and others.

First, Chairman of Magway Division Peace and Development Council Col Phone Maw Shwe, Managing Director U Oo Thein Maung of Myanma Textile Industries and Factory Manager U Myint Thein Oo formally opened the factory.

Prime Minister General Soe Win then unveiled the signboard.

The prime minister and party also inspected production process of the factory.

Modern textile factory in Pakokku will create job for local people

Next, Minister for Industry-1 U Aung Thaung reported matters related to local demand, current production of the textile factories of Myanma Textile Industries.

Managing Director U Oo Thein Maung briefed on the purpose of building the factory, kinds of installed machines, production capacity of the factory, availability of raw materials, amount of investment, supply of power and number of staff.

The Prime Minister said that the emergence of the modern textile factory in Pakokku District, on the west bank of Ayeyawady River and in the north of Magway, will create job opportunities for local people in Pakokku, Seikphyu, Pauk, Myaing, and Yesagyo townships, and help disseminate methods on use of modern machines in the regions. The achievement is a testament to the government’s sustained efforts to ensure development of Pakokku region like other regions.

Pakokku region is the entrance to Chin State (South) that consists of Matupi, Mindat, and Kanpetlet. In the past, Chin State lagged behind in development due to poor transport and it was like a far-flung region.

Therefore, the government, since its assumption of State duties, has constructed infrastructures for the development of Pakokku, that occupies an important point, to become the capital of the west bank of Ayeyawady River, and an all-round developed region with a bright future.

Now, the region has enjoyed progress with universities, colleges, hospitals, airports, new railroads, roads, and river water pumping stations alongside the textile factory and Pakokku Industrial Zone. So, in the near future, the region will be able to catch up with other parts of the nation.

The brand-new factory can produce nearly four million of 1/32 thread and more than 11 million yards of coarse cloth a year. Over six months after the inauguration of Pwintbyu Textile Factory put into commission on 18 March this year in Magway Division, another similar factory has been opened in the region. So, they will make significant contribution towards the industrial development of Magway Division.

So far, under the MTI of the Ministry of Industry-1 there are five textile factories — Shwedaung, Paleik, Sagaing, Pwintbyu, and Pakokku textile factories. A textile factory is under construction in Salingyi Township, Sagaing Division.

The government has built such textile factories with the aim of fulfilling the nation’s requirements, producing import-substitute items, developing the region with high standard of living, generating job opportunities of locals, and disseminating technologies.

The government has to invest heavily in the factories as such huge investments are not within the reach of private entrepreneurs and textile industry contributes much towards the State. In that regard, the factories were built at sites where raw materials are in abundance for the factories. The government has been constructing modern factories across the nation.

At the same time, it has been establishing private industrial zones in the regions that have favorable conditions for growth of the industry. So far, the nation has seen 18 industrial zones, and in Magway Division are Pakokku and Yenangyoung industrial zones established for developments of private-run industries. Pakokku Industrial Zone is doing its utmost to win renown through production of Pakokku Jeeps and trucks, and Yenangyoung Industrial Zone manufactures motorcycles and three-wheel vehicles.

So, Magway Division plays an important role in the State’s drive for industrialization. Officials concerned and industrialists on their part are to make earnest efforts in concert for speedy development of agro-based industries, industries that help develop the agricultural sector, and the auto industry as cotton, edible oil crops and beans and pulses thrive well in Magway Division.

Now, industrial zones are making a rapid progress thanks to the encouragement and guidance of the Head of State, assistance rendered by officials, and close supervision of local administrative bodies.

The government is striving with added momentum for ensuring equitable development of all parts of the nation, and handing down good heritage in political, economic, social and transport sectors to the posterity. The government is endeavouring day in, day out with genuine goodwill just for the sake of the nation and the people.

Magway Division is an arid zone where water is scarce, so local farmers have to rely mainly on the rain. So, the Head of State gave guidance on laying down the nine-district greening project in 1993 to green the nine districts in Magway, Sagaing and Mandalay divisions with moderate climate. Now, the project has been extended to the 13-district greening project.

Measures are being taken with might and main in the arid zone such as conservation and extended establishment of trees and forests, planting trees for fuel, construction of dams in proper places, damming creeks and pumping river water.

Altogether 31 dams were built and 45 river water pumping projects implemented in Magway Division. Of them, nine dams and eight river water pumping stations are in Pakokku District. According to geographical condition of Pakokku region, priority is being given to construction of small dams in the region. At present, 18 small-scale dams were constructed in the region. Moreover, local authorities in cooperation with the people are trying their utmost to build self-reliant lakes and small dams there.

Hence, remarkable progress has been made in agricultural sector of Magway Division that covers Pakokku District while industrial sector, livestock breeding sector and trade sector are meeting with success.

In conclusion, the Prime Minister called upon local authorities, officials and factory workers to boost production as the factory will contribute much to national development as well as regional development, to strive for running the factory at full capacity and its durability and to serve the interests of the State and the people as well as that of the region.

Next, Prime Minister General Soe Win presented a basket of fruits to Tianjin Machinery Import and Export Corporation Chairman Mr. Sun Jian Rong and officials who gave a souvenir to the Prime Minister.

Prime Minister General Soe Win and party then posed for a documentary photo and cordially greeted those present. With the aim of meeting local demand and import substitute, improving living standard of local people and getting new job opportunity, the project of the factory was implemented.