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  Today Online 4 Apr 07
Myanmar offers to be long-term supplier of sand, cement and granite to Singapore

Channel NewsAsia 3 Apr 07
Myanmar says it could supply sand to Singapore

SINGAPORE : Myanmar has suggested to Singapore that it could be a long-term supplier of sand, cement, granite and other construction materials. This comment came from the State Peace and Development Council's Lieutenant-General Thein Sein. He made this suggestion to Foreign Minister George Yeo when the two met in Nay Pyi Taw on Tuesday.

Singapore has been looking for alternative sources of sand after Indonesia imposed a ban on land sand in February.

For a start, the government has released sand from its stockpile to ease supply concerns in the local construction industry. It is also urging the construction sector to make the switch to sustainable construction methods using alternative materials in the longer term.

Singapore has also managed to acquire sand supplies from Malaysia, Vietnam and China, and it now appears that Myanmar will join the list.

General Thein Sein also encouraged more Singapore companies to invest in his country. During their discussion, the General briefed Mr Yeo on the domestic developments in Myanmar, outlining the national reconciliation and economic development efforts. The two leaders also talked about bilateral relations, reaffirming the longstanding ties between the two countries. Both men also exchanged views on closer bilateral economic exchanges, particularly in the area of trade and investment. - CNA/ms

Today Online 4 Apr 07
Myanmar offers to be long-term supplier of sand, cement and granite to Singapore

MYANMAR has said it could be a long-term supplier of sand, cement, granite and other construction materials to Singapore.

According to a statement issued by Singapore's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the offer was made by Lieutenant-General Thein Sein, Secretary-1 of Myanmar's State Peace and Development Council, during his meeting with Foreign Minister George Yeo in the capital of Nay Pyi Taw yesterday.

This is good news for Singapore's construction sector, which has faced higher prices for sand and granite since Indonesia banned the export of sand and detained barges carrying granite to Singapore in February.

Since then, the Singapore Government has been releasing sand from its stockpile, exploring alternative sources and encouraging the construction sector to recycle construction materials and to use alternatives such as steel, glass and composites to reduce the dependency on sand.

During their meeting, Lt-Gen Thein Sein also briefed Mr Yeo on domestic developments, outlining Myanmar's national reconciliation and economic development efforts. The two leaders also discussed bilateral relations, reaffirming the long-standing ties between the two Asean countries, and exchanged views on closer bilateral economic exchanges, particularly in the area of trade and investment. Lt-Gen Thein Sein also encouraged more Singapore companies to invest in Myanmar, while Mr Yeo presented an invitation letter from President S R Nathan to Myanmar's State Peace and Development Council chairman and Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Senior General Than Shwe to visit Singapore.


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