By Aye Yamone
CHINA is importing sugar from Myanmar only in the form of syrup as the refined sugar produced here does not meet its quality standards, said Dr. Than Myint, the Union Minister for Commerce.
China does not allow imports of refined sugar produced in Myanmar. At present, it is purchasing sugarcane through the Laukkai border gate. Therefore, locals are planting over 100,000 acres of sugarcane in Laukkai region.
“Chinese traders have said they won’t accept solid sugar, but sugar syrup made of 55 per cent sugar and 45 per cent water. Now, we have a machine to produce sugar syrup. Therefore, sugar entrepreneurs must be made aware of the quality demanded by China,” said Union Minister Dr. Than Myint. At the 27th regular meeting held on 22 May at the Republic of the Union of Myanmar Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry, which was attended by Vice President U Myint Swe and entrepreneurs, Dr. Than Myint had said: “Although according to some authorities, sugar is in abundant supply in the market, people are being forced to buy sugar at a high price because it is scarce in the market.”
The annual demand for sugar in China is nearly 16 million tons. However, it produces around 10 million tons of sugar and has to import around 6 million tons.
“Sugarcane fiber (bagasse) can be used in the generation of electricity. Ethanol acid needs to be extracted from the sugar syrup produced in sugar mills. Then, it needs to be added to imported fuel to produce energy. We have adopted the policy of mixing 10 per cent ethanol acid in fuel, like foreign countries. Thus, we are solving the molasses problem faced by sugar mills. To add value to by-products, the policy needs to be adopted, like in other countries,” said U Win Htay, the Vice Chairman of the Myanmar Sugar and Sugarcane Products Entrepreneurs Association.
Myanmar Sugar and Sugarcane Products Entrepreneurs Association submitted a report to the government on 22 May, asking it to take the necessary measures to increase GDP, improve incomes of local sugarcane farmers, ensure the sustainable development of SMEs, seek markets for export of sugar, and check illegal imports of sugar through the Myawady border gate.
The association has also asked the government to grant loans as well as invite foreign investors to build sugar refineries in the country. (Translated by Hay Mar)
