New luxury boat set to commence service

“We will start our weekend service in the middle of November. We will also arrange for private boat rides,” said Htay Aung, managing director of Royal Green River.

During this year’s peak season, tourists can take daylong private boat rides to Mandalay, Bagan, and Bhamaw. With eight cabins, a restaurant, and bars, the cruiser can accommodate 16 passengers for night trips and 50 passengers for day trips.

Since this month, the number of luxury boat rides based in Mandalay has increased. Likewise, the Irrawaddy Princess River Cruise Company will run its third new luxury boat, the Princess Royal, along the Ayeyarwaddy River.

Tourists who come to Myanmar for its scenic beauty will now have many opportunities to explore the Ayeyarwaddy River, especially those interested in taking luxury boat rides to Sagaing, Mingun, Bagan, and Bhamaw in upper Myanmar.

That’s why more of these kinds of luxury boat rides are being offered now, travel companies say.

 

Japanese SME businesses seeking local partners 

Small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) owners from Japan are seeking joint partnerships in Myanmar, according to sources interviewed at a forum held at the offices of the Union of Myanmar Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry (UMFCCI) on Saturday.

Seven SME companies are included in the Japanese delegation, and they have invited more than 30 SME business owners from Myanmar to enter joint partnerships.

Japanese businessmen have invited Myanmar counterparts to cooperate in sectors such as mineral refining from waste products, machinery and electronics, real estate, tourism, transportation, automotive, plastics and medical products.

“They brought them with SME business owners from Japan. It will be an opportunity for SME business owners from here. The Japan economy has developed partly due to support from SMEs. It is the same with our country, too. Job opportunities can be created if the SME sector is developed. That’s why we made the forum for them,” said UMFCCI vice chairperson Thein Han.

Similarly, a Japan-Myanmar Business Matching forum was held in March, with a resulting business agreement worth more than US$9 million (Ks 8.74 billion).

 

Japan tyre companies to buy raw rubber 

Japan tyre companies are planning to import raw rubber from Myanmar, sources say.

Japan needs approximately 700,000 to 800,000 tonnes of rubber per year for its tyre companies.

Technicians from Japan will provide technical aid to the Myanmar rubber industry to match Japan market standards. Japan plans to buy the rubber once it matches the required quality.

“Myanmar rubber needs to find ways to enter the Japanese market. We will provide technical assistance with help from the Myanmar Rubber Planters and Producers Association. When the rubber products meet the standard, they will be sent to the Japanese market,” said Yoshio Kanai, secretary-general of Japan’s Rubber Trade Association.

Myanmar has mainly exported its raw rubber products to Malaysia, Vietnam, South Korea, China, Singapore, India, Pakistan, United Arab Emirates and Thailand.