State Administration Council Chairman Defence Services Commander-in-Chief Senior General Min Aung Hlaing tours production line at newly-established 2/80 Thread Factory Branch in Meiktila

SENIOR General Min Aung Hlaing underlined that only when Myanmar uses cotton textiles in garment industries as well as exports them will the government reduce spending on foreign currency and earn foreign exchange.
A ceremony to inaugurate the 2/80 Thread Factory Branch of the Tatmadaw Textile Factory (Meiktila) took place at the venue yesterday morning, attended by Chairman of the State Administration Council Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Senior General Min
Aung Hlaing.
Director Maj-Gen Win Myat of Ordnance Services of the Commander-in-Chief (Army) first reported to the Senior General on the construction of the factory branch.
The Senior General and dignitaries viewed a documentary video clip on the factory branch. Speaking on the occasion, the Senior General said that the 2/80 Thread Factory can produce 4,840 pounds of thread per day in its operation at full capacity. The thread can be used in the production of necessary textiles for the people and sell surplus threads to the market at fair prices, he added.
He unveiled that, currently, the factory manufactures necessary uniforms for Tatmadaw members and other textiles for the people. He emphasized that due to opening the 2/80 Thread Factory Branch, the Tatmadaw Textile Factory (Meiktila) will produce quality thread to meet local demand.
The Senior General noted that only when Myanmar uses cotton textiles at garment industries as well as exports them will the government reduce spending on foreign currency and earn foreign exchange. He explained that Tatmadaw Textile Factory (Meiktila) installed the necessary machinery to produce military apparel similar to international Tatmadaws.
He pointed out that Myanmar needs to systematically grow quality cotton to increase the per-acre yield of crops and produce advanced textiles.
On the other hand, he continued that cotton gins and textile factories must be upgraded to initiate the cotton-based industries.
The Senior General disclosed that Tatmadaw Textile Factory (Meiktila) manufactures military equipment for the entire Tatmadaw with the use of cotton wool while the newly-opened 2/80 thread factory will fulfil the clothing requirement of the nation.
The Senior General stressed the need to raise sown acreage of cotton and production of cotton wool. An official from China Texmatech Co Ltd handed over documents related to the factory to the factory manager.
The Senior General presented a fruit basket to an official from CTMTC Company while an official from the company presented a gift to the Senior General.
The Senior General gave gifts to the project chief engineer who supervised the machinery installation process. The Senior General viewed round cultivation of cotton crops, production of thread, and the products of the 2/80 Thread Factory Branch.
SAC Member Chief of the General Staff (Army, Navy and Air) General Maung Maung Aye, Commander-in-Chief (Navy) Admiral Htein Win, Commander-in-Chief (Air) General Tun Aung, Council Joint Secretary General Ye Win Oo and Council Member General Nyo Saw cut the ribbon to open the ceremony.
The Senior General sprinkled scented water on the signboard of the factory. The Senior General viewed round production line of thread
in the factory and gave necessary guidance to officials.
He presented cash awards for employees of the factory to an official. Also present at the ceremony were union-level dignitaries, union ministers, the Mandalay and Magway regional chief ministers, senior Tatmadaw officers from the Office of the Commander-in-Chief and officials.
Tatmadaw Textile Factory (Meiktila) was built in 1966-67 under the agreement between China and Myanmar governments so as to fulfil the clothing requirements of the people and reduce textile imports. The factory was handed over to the Directorate of Ordnance Services under the Commander-in-Chief (Army) on 1 October 1991.
Tatmadaw Textile Factory (Meiktila) manufactures uniforms for Tatmadaw members and Myanmar Police Force members as well as school uniforms and other textile products. The 2/80 Thread Factory Branch will produce quality thread and textiles to meet the demand of textile industries in the country to some extent. —MNA/TTA

Source- The Global New Light of Myanmar