OF 9 local cement factories, 5 were destroyed during the quake struck on 28 March.

 

Among 5 damaged fac­tories, four are in Mandalay Region and one in the Nay Pyi Taw Council Area.

 

Union Minister for Indus­try Dr Charlie Than said in a meeting with the Myanmar Cement Association on 10 April that the ministry has managed to invite foreign experts and import necessary equipment for repairing factories.

 

According to a previous report, these 9 local cement factories generated more than 6.3 million tonnes of cement in February.

 

The quake devasted the country and many tonnes of cement are necessary for re­settlement. To fulfil the do­mestic cement demand and support domestic production, the government has allowed the import of foreign cement, through the Kawthoung bor­der trade. At present, cement vessels have entered the coun­try and a vessel carrying 2500 tonnes of cement arrived again on the evening of 9 April at Shwepyitha Shweme jetty in Yangon and distribution to the market is in progress. – Htun Htun/ZS