Glass and Glassware Industry in Myanmar

Myanmar’s glass and glassware industry is expected to grow together with Myanmar’s extensive development in building and infrastructure. According to the United Nations COMTRADE, Myanmar’s imports of glass and glassware was US$ 68.3 million in 2015,         US$ 130.4 million in 2016, and US$ 85.8 million in 2017. China was the top glass and glassware exporter to Myanmar in 2017, which accounted for 61 percent of total glass and glassware imports in Myanmar. The second was Thailand, accounting for 15 percent of glass imports, followed by Malaysia at 13 percent. The value of Myanmar’s construction sector is projected to reach US$ 13.5 billion in 2020. Therefore, many upcoming modern construction projects are expected to raise the demand for glass in Myanmar.

State-owned Enterprise   

With regard to local production, the Ministry of Industry handed over a glass factory (Than Hlyin) to the Myanmar Economic Cooperation (MEC) for commercial operations on         17 January 2011. The factory is located on the Yangon-Thilawa Terminal road, Phayagone village, Than Hlyin Township, Yangon region. The main plant is producing glass bottles, and the daily production is 20,000 pieces per day. The factory produces glass bottles (350 ml, 650 ml, 680 ml, 700 ml, and 24 ounces). Annual production is 7,500,000 bottles. Raw material is white sand glass used for production of glass at the glass factory (Thanlyin), which is mainly from Ahile-Man Island on the Tanintharyi coast.

In addition, there is also the Kyaukse Glass Factory in Kyaukse Township, Mandalay region. Kyaukse Glass Factory was constructed by the China Construction & Agricultural Machinery Company (CAMC), and inaugurated on 11 January 2013. The factory has a capacity of more than 50,000 tons per year, which makes it the top glass factory in Myanmar. The project was assisted with a 30 million USD concessional loan by China EXIM Bank.

Kyaukse Glass Factory mainly produces tinted glass, clear glass, and mirrors. According to the Ministry of Industry’s report on its one year performance in April 2017, the factory produces glass tables incorporating Burmese lacquerware, drawings and traditional carvings designed by the State Counsellor, as mass production. The aim is to retain market space for Burmese traditional arts while also using high quality glass. Within six months of production, 20 tables were sold with prices ranging from Ks 1 Lakh to Ks 2 Lakh depending on the designs. Further production will be carried out according to market demand.

For further information, please click: Non-paper - 21 Sep 2018 - Glass and Glassware industry in Myanmar.pdf

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