Business

Thai Company Building Mill

Bangkok-based Sutech Engineering, in a joint venture with the state-owned Myanmar Economic Corporation (MEC), has started construction on what will be the largest sugar mill in Burma. The Kanbalu mill, located in the Sagaing Division, will be able to process up to 4,000 tons of sugarcane daily. Sutech Engineering, which in 1999 built the Nawade mill in Burma, will be in charge of the construction and technological upkeep. MEC will be responsible for the day-to-day operations. The mill is projected to open within the year.

Japanese Company Receives Contract

Kansai Electric Power Co. of Japan signed a contract with the state-run Myanmar Electric Power Enterprise (MEPE) earlier this month to assist in developing new hydroelectric power plants. The Japanese company will participate in the design and construction of the facilities as well conducting feasibility studies for the different potential locations. The plants are to be constructed over the next five years to help Burma alleviate its energy shortage. The contract is worth an estimated US$ 2.4 million. Kansai has already begun working on the project.

Junta Building New Factory

Burma’s military government is planning to build a new garment factory in Rangoon despite a downturn in production and a proposal by the US government to cease all importing from Burma. Senate Bill 926 introduced in May seeks to ban all imports from Burma. US garment imports have risen nearly 400% since 1997 and account for 28.5% of Burma’s total exports or US$ 454 million. Burma’s Office of Strategic Studies recently circulated a petition at fifty factories calling on the US to retract their proposal.