• Burmese
Sunday, July 20, 2025
No Result
View All Result
NEWSLETTER
The Irrawaddy
27 °c
Ashburn
  • Home
  • News
    • Burma
    • Politics
    • World
    • Asia
    • Myanmar’s Crisis & the World
    • Ethnic Issues
    • War Against the Junta
    • Junta Cronies
    • Conflicts In Numbers
    • Junta Watch
    • Fact Check
    • Investigation
    • Myanmar-China Watch
    • Obituaries
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Opinion
    • Commentary
    • Guest Column
    • Analysis
    • Editorial
    • Stories That Shaped Us
    • Letters
  • Junta Watch
  • Ethnic Issues
  • War Against the Junta
  • In Person
    • Interview
    • Profile
  • Books
  • Donation
  • Home
  • News
    • Burma
    • Politics
    • World
    • Asia
    • Myanmar’s Crisis & the World
    • Ethnic Issues
    • War Against the Junta
    • Junta Cronies
    • Conflicts In Numbers
    • Junta Watch
    • Fact Check
    • Investigation
    • Myanmar-China Watch
    • Obituaries
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Opinion
    • Commentary
    • Guest Column
    • Analysis
    • Editorial
    • Stories That Shaped Us
    • Letters
  • Junta Watch
  • Ethnic Issues
  • War Against the Junta
  • In Person
    • Interview
    • Profile
  • Books
  • Donation
No Result
View All Result
The Irrawaddy
No Result
View All Result
Home Business

Burma Business Roundup (Saturday, Dec. 8)

William Boot by William Boot
December 8, 2012
in Uncategorized
Reading Time: 3 mins read
0 0
A A
3.4k
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Big Thai Cement Firm Plans Major Factory in Burma

Major Thai cement maker Siam Cement Group (SCG) is to move its main manufacturing base to Burma, according to the International Cement Review newspaper.

The Bangkok-based giant plans to build production facilities in southeastern Burma’s Tenasserim Division, it said, quoting a SCG company manager.

RelatedPosts

The Nation Where Brave Hearts—and Martyrs—Dwell

The Nation Where Brave Hearts—and Martyrs—Dwell

July 19, 2025
339
Conjuring an Election Illusion in War-Torn Shan; Raiding Offshore Gas to Stay Afloat; and More

Conjuring an Election Illusion in War-Torn Shan; Raiding Offshore Gas to Stay Afloat; and More

July 19, 2025
323
Myanmar Junta Airstrikes Protecting Irrawaddy Flotilla Kill 20

Myanmar Junta Airstrikes Protecting Irrawaddy Flotilla Kill 20

July 18, 2025
1.9k

“SCG is planning to manufacture its main products in [Burma] and is willing to open four retail stores in Yangon, Mandalay Naypyidaw and one other major city,” said Soontornpol Veerapravati.

World Cement magazine said SCG also wants to build a hydro dam to provide electricity for the factory or factories.

Industry observers expressed surprise that SCG is not considering Dawei for the location of a factory, given the proposals by other Thai firms to develop an industrial port there.

“If it goes ahead Dawei will have transport infrastructure, at least linking into Thailand,” said an industry source in Bangkok speaking on condition of anonymity. “The siting of production facilities in the deep south of Burma is surprising also when the initial demand for cement is likely to come from the greater Rangoon region.”

SCG, which already exports millions of tonnes of cement to Burma, has given no timetable for Burmese developments nor disclosed the level of investment.

Patience a Virtue for Would-be Investors, Says US Study

Success for foreign investors in the new Burma will need much patience as well as getting the “model of entry right,” a new study of opportunities said.

Burma is poised to “assume great geopolitical-business importance in years to come,” the survey by US think tank Frost & Sullivan said.

And China’s dominance of much of Burma’s economy is expected to change, said the firm’s vice president Vivek Vaidya in the survey.

“Southeast Asian companies are rushing to invest in the country. US and international companies are also doing so, but on a more selective and wait-and-see nature,” said Vaidya.

But like other surveys before it, the Frost & Sullivan report warns that many potential investors will remain in a wait-and-see mode until there is a substantial improvement in basic infrastructure such as electricity supply, water, ports and roads.

Burma should benefit from having a young population, but only if there is a major migration to urban centers of development, as happened in China, the report added.

Thailand a ‘Gateway’ for Tourists to Burma

Thai Tourism planners want to develop Thailand to become a base for tourists to visit neighboring countries such as Burma.

“As neighboring countries open up, tourists will want a fresh experience, so we can capitalize on this development and market Thailand as a gateway,” the president of the Association of Thai Tourism Marketing said this week.

By creating easy links to Burma, Laos, Cambodia and Malaysia, Thailand could attract new visitors, said the association’s Mingkwan Metmowlee.

There were two possible cross-over links between Thailand and Burma which the association should look at, he said. These are via Thailand’s far north province of Chiang Rai and through a new road being built from the Thai border town of Kanchanaburi to Dawei on Burma’s southeast coast.

Thai firms have drawn up plans to develop isolated southeastern Burma by constructing a port at Dawei as well as an industrial zone, but the project has been stalled all this year due to a lack of funds.

Thailand had logged almost 16 million tourists in 2012 up to the end of September, the Department of Tourism and Sports said, and was on target to clock 20 million visitors in a year for the first time.

Russian Trade Group ‘Interested in Oil and Gas Sector’

A Russian trade delegation made a low-key visit to Burma this week led by Deputy Minister for Trade and Industry Georgy Kalamanov.

The delegation met Minister for Energy Aye Myint to discuss “bilateral cooperation in the industrial sector,” The New Light of Myanmar reported.

It’s understood from embassy sources in Bangkok that the Russians are interested in investing in Burma’s onshore and offshore oil and gas business development as well as heavy construction projects.

Several small privately owned Russian firms are already engaged in some onshore projects in enhanced recovery programs in old oil fields in central Burma.

However, Russia has considerable experience in offshore exploration and production, especially of gas. Two state-owned Russian firms—Gazprom and Zarubezhneft—have been involved in helping to develop Vietnam’s offshore oil and gas resources.

Luxury Cars, Condos, Jewelery on Sale in Naypyidaw

A curious trade show will take place in Naypyidaw next week, offering a wide range of goods and services from jewelery to farm tractors to luxury cars.

The Naypyidaw Expo and Car Show, from Dec. 12 to 16, will involve 300 companies, according to the organizers.

Held in the isolated capital with a small population, observers question who the mostly luxury goods will be aimed at.

On offer will be medicines, furniture, condominiums and cosmetics—as well as agricultural equipment, machinery and car accessories.

Your Thoughts …
William Boot

William Boot

Similar Picks:

Exodus: Tens of Thousands Flee as Myanmar Junta Troops Face Last Stand in Kokang
Burma

Exodus: Tens of Thousands Flee as Myanmar Junta Troops Face Last Stand in Kokang

by Hein Htoo Zan
November 28, 2023
98.5k

Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army troops are opening roads and pathways through forests for people to flee Kokang’s capital as...

Read moreDetails
Burning Alive in Myanmar: Two Resistance Fighters Executed in Public
Burma

Burning Alive in Myanmar: Two Resistance Fighters Executed in Public

by The Irrawaddy
February 7, 2024
90.4k

People’s Defense Force says junta troops told every household in the village to send one member to witness the double...

Read moreDetails
Another Entire Junta Battalion Raises the White Flag in Myanmar’s Northern Shan State
War Against the Junta

Another Entire Junta Battalion Raises the White Flag in Myanmar’s Northern Shan State

by The Irrawaddy
November 29, 2023
87.1k

Brotherhood Alliance member says it now has complete control of Kokang’s northernmost section after the junta’s Light Infantry Battalion 125...

Read moreDetails
Depleted Myanmar Military Urges Deserters to Return to Barracks
Burma

Depleted Myanmar Military Urges Deserters to Return to Barracks

by The Irrawaddy
December 4, 2023
59k

The junta said deserters would not be punished for minor crimes, highlighting the military’s shortage of troops as resistance offensives...

Read moreDetails
As Myanmar’s Military Stumbles, a Top General’s Dissapearance Fuels Intrigue
Burma

As Myanmar’s Military Stumbles, a Top General’s Dissapearance Fuels Intrigue

by The Irrawaddy
April 19, 2024
47k

The junta’s No. 2 has not been seen in public since April 3, sparking rumors that he was either gravely...

Read moreDetails
Enter the Dragon, Exit the Junta: Myanmar’s Brotherhood Alliance makes Chinese New Year Vow
Burma

Enter the Dragon, Exit the Junta: Myanmar’s Brotherhood Alliance makes Chinese New Year Vow

by The Irrawaddy
February 12, 2024
44.8k

Ethnic armed grouping says it will continue Operation 1027 offensive until goal of ousting the junta is achieved. 

Read moreDetails
Load More
Next Post
Suu Kyi Addresses Thousands at Her Ancestral Home

Suu Kyi Addresses Thousands at Her Ancestral Home

Govt Still Using Prison as a Political Weapon

No Result
View All Result

Recommended

What the ‘Snake Charmer’ Analogy Gets Wrong About Myanmar

What the ‘Snake Charmer’ Analogy Gets Wrong About Myanmar

5 days ago
1.5k
Chinese Investment Reshapes Myanmar’s N. Shan as MNDAA Consolidates Power

Chinese Investment Reshapes Myanmar’s N. Shan as MNDAA Consolidates Power

1 week ago
3.6k

Most Read

  • More Than 20,000 Displaced As Myanmar Junta Burns Homes Around World Heritage Site

    More Than 20,000 Displaced As Myanmar Junta Burns Homes Around World Heritage Site

    shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Myanmar Junta Airstrikes Protecting Irrawaddy Flotilla Kill 20

    shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Myanmar Junta’s Recapture of Nawnghkio Shows Strategic Missteps by TNLA

    shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • The Nation Where Brave Hearts—and Martyrs—Dwell

    shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Indian Top Brass Visit Myanmar After Cross-Border Drone Attack

    shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0

Newsletter

Get The Irrawaddy’s latest news, analyses and opinion pieces on Myanmar in your inbox.

Subscribe here for daily updates.

Contents

  • News
  • Politics
  • War Against the Junta
  • Myanmar’s Crisis & the World
  • Conflicts In Numbers
  • Junta Crony
  • Ethnic Issues
  • Asia
  • World
  • Business
  • Economy
  • Election 2020
  • Elections in History
  • Cartoons
  • Features
  • Opinion
  • Editorial
  • Commentary
  • Guest Column
  • Analysis
  • Letters
  • In Person
  • Interview
  • Profile
  • Dateline
  • Specials
  • Myanmar Diary
  • Women & Gender
  • Places in History
  • On This Day
  • From the Archive
  • Myanmar & COVID-19
  • Intelligence
  • Myanmar-China Watch
  • Lifestyle
  • Travel
  • Food
  • Fashion & Design
  • Videos
  • Photos
  • Photo Essay
  • Donation

About The Irrawaddy

Founded in 1993 by a group of Myanmar journalists living in exile in Thailand, The Irrawaddy is a leading source of reliable news, information, and analysis on Burma/Myanmar and the Southeast Asian region. From its inception, The Irrawaddy has been an independent news media group, unaffiliated with any political party, organization or government. We believe that media must be free and independent and we strive to preserve press freedom.

  • Copyright
  • Code of Ethics
  • Privacy Policy
  • Team
  • About Us
  • Careers
  • Contact
  • Burmese

© 2023 Irrawaddy Publishing Group. All Rights Reserved

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
    • Burma
    • Politics
    • World
    • Asia
    • Myanmar’s Crisis & the World
    • Ethnic Issues
    • War Against the Junta
    • Junta Cronies
    • Conflicts In Numbers
    • Junta Watch
    • Fact Check
    • Investigation
    • Myanmar-China Watch
    • Obituaries
  • Politics
  • Opinion
    • Commentary
    • Guest Column
    • Analysis
    • Editorial
    • Stories That Shaped Us
    • Letters
  • Ethnic Issues
  • War Against the Junta
  • In Person
    • Interview
    • Profile
  • Business
    • Economy
    • Business Roundup
  • Books
  • Donation

© 2023 Irrawaddy Publishing Group. All Rights Reserved

This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used. Visit our Privacy and Cookie Policy.