October 01, 2019
The International Rubber Conference 2019 was organized at Mingalar Thiri Hotel in Nay Pyi Taw yesterday morning, with the aims to promote the market of its products.
The opening ceremony of conference was attended by Union Minister for Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation Dr Aung Thu, Union Minister for Commerce Dr Than Myint, Union Minister for Ethnic Affairs Nai Thet Lwin, the deputy ministers, members of Hluttaw Affairs committees, agriculture ministers from State/Region governments, Permanent Secretaries, directors-general, departmental officials, Secretary of the Association of Natural Rubber Producing Countries Mr Nguyen Ngoc Bich, General Secretary of International Rugger Research and Development Board Dr Abdul Aziz, the representatives from member countries of these associations, members of Myanmar Rubber Planters and Producers Association and rubber experts from local and foreign organizations.
Union Minister Dr Aung Thu made an opening remark at the ceremony, with saying the sustainable development in natural rubber plantation to avoid degradations of forests, biodiversity and ecosystem.
He also said to support the under-20-acres rubber planters who contribute over 90 per cent of rubber plantation in the country.
The Union Minister also suggested to increase the export substitution for rubber products to expand market for rubber planters and create more job opportunities while the demand is surging in tires for motorbikes and automobiles.
He also advised to adopt policies for sustainable development of this industry, establish rubber boards as in the countries with thriving rubber plantation, generate human resources, cooperate with local and international organizations, support in production of high-quality rubber, providing assistance to small-scaled rubber planters, conduct training courses, disseminate knowledge and carry out researches continuously.
He also highlighted the importance of upgrading research facilities and laboratories, growing high-yield and locally adapted rubber varieties, and establishment of research plantation.
U Aung Myint Htoo, the chairman of Myanmar Rubber Planters and Producers Association, discussed the production and market situation, followed by the extended greetings of Secretary of IRRDB Dr Abdul Aziz.
After the opening ceremony, the Union Ministers and the dignitaries looked around the booths in the event. The two-day conference will be organized till 2 October, with reading 85 papers by rubber experts from Myanmar, China, India, Thailand, Sri Lanka, the Philippines, Malaysia, Nigeria, Indonesia and Cambodia.
Myanmar joined ANRPC and became a member of IRRDB in December 2018 as the Department of Agriculture sought to promote rubber industry and cooperate with these members countries from expanding market to doing research. —MNA (Translated by Aung Khin)
