Meeting with Cotton Entrepreneurs: Efforts for increased cultivation of cotton

A meeting with cotton entrepreneurs was conducted at Mandalay Region government office on Saturday with the attendance by Vice-Chairman of the SME Development Committee Union Minister for Industry Dr Charlie Than.
Speaking at the meeting, the Union Minister said that the cotton fiber and cotton seed grinding, cotton yarn production and weaving could generate the income of cotton growers and create employment opportunities. Local MSME entrepreneurs could carry out faster cotton production with domestic raw material consumption, bringing many benefits along the production chain such as import substitution, foreign expenditure reduction, local job creation and reduction of the brain drain of educated young people.
The Union Minister called cotton growers to drive nation’s economic growth through exerted efforts in boosting cultivation of pure varieties of cotton, equipment manufacturing locally and implementing the cotton and textile mills.
Mandalay Region Chief Minister U Myo Aung discussed that a target of 200,000 acres of cotton cultivation has been set in the region, along with free distribution of good quality cotton needed by the farmers. All cotton entrepreneurs are invited to openly report on difficulties encountered during the operation.
After that, the Union Minister heard the reports on work undertakings, and loan issues presented by the cotton entrepreneurs and the relevant departmental officials gave debriefing upon the reports.
The Union Minister urged all to establish cotton mills on a manageable scaleas there are many skilled workers and experienced experts in Mandalay Industrial Zone. He expressed his belief that cotton production will surely enlarge by success with all-round cooperation.
In the afternoon, the Union Minister and party proceeded to PyiGyiTakhon Township and inspected OkkarLwin, Thiha Aung and AKT Cottonseed Oil Production Factories, SoeLwin Industrial enterprises, ShweKhit War cotton grinding factory and CYT yarn factory.