Myanmar's UMH Garment Industries has for the first time established a garment factory in Kayin state based Hpa-an township's industrial zone. The move is expected to reduce pressure on industrial zones in Yangon and generate several jobs for local workers who otherwise might have moved to other places, according to industry analysts.
Deriving its name from name of company's owner U Myint Htay, the new UMH-3 factory that has opened in Hpa-an industrial zone, would employ 150 people. These workers are already being imparted training at Myanmar Maternal and Child Welfare Association building in the township since February.
The new factory presently spreads on an area of around 20 acres, while another 50 acre building is under construction.
U Myint Soe, Chairman of the Myanmar Garment Manufacturers Association (MGMA) said a large number of garment factories are concentrated in Yangon, which has resulted in concentration of labour there, and may lead to social problems. Thus, U Mint Htay decided to establish a unit in Kayin state.
He said while Myanmar has to get ready for getting ASEAN Economic Community membership in 2015, they expect more number of garment units from border areas to shift to the country's interior, where there is good labour availability. This would also considerably reduce migration of people as they would get same wages in their hometown. Also, this would benefit the state government as it would get higher taxes, he added.
Speaking at the inauguration of the factory, U Myint Htay said already operating two factories UMH-1 and UMH-2 in Shwe Pyi Thar township and Pyinma Pin Industrial Zone, respectively in Yangon, they look forward to establish UMH-3 to UMH-9 factories in Kayin.
U Zaw Min, Chief Minister of Kayin state, said most of the people in the state depend on agriculture for their livelihood, which does not generate reasonable returns. Hence, most youth migrate to other regions as well as foreign countries in search of employment. Establishment of apparel and other industries in the state would greatly benefit local people as they would get jobs in their hometowns.
Located at a distance of about seven miles outside Hpa-an, the Hpa-an Indstrial Zone is quite close to the Myawaddy-Mae Sot border trading area with Thailand, which reopened recently.
Source:
http://www.fibre2fashion.com/news/apparel-news/newsdetails.aspx?news_id=118037
