Manufacturers in post-cyclone Arakan State unable to resume operations

By Admin 16 Jul 2023

DMG Newsroom
16 July 2023, Sittwe

Several manufacturing plants in Arakan State that suffered significant damage due to Cyclone Mocha have not been able to resume operations some two months after the storm made landfall, according to local entrepreneurs.

Some factories damaged or destroyed by the storm are still being repaired and some plants cannot resume operations due to financial difficulties.

“We have invested a lot in our business. At present, we are inventorying the parts that can be repaired. The prices of spare parts are rising and people face various hardships,” said director U Kyaw Min Tun of the Lucky 7 tissue manufacturing plant in Sittwe.

Cyclone Mocha, which made landfall over Arakan State with destructive force on May 14, damaged or destroyed manufacturing plants in a variety of industries including tissue paper, plastics, drinking water, and food processing facilities.

“It is difficult to get machines damaged by the storm back into normal operation,” said U Tin Nyein Oo, owner of the Oh Thugyi food manufacturing plant, which produces masala and chili powders, among other goods. “There are machines that have not yet been repaired. It will take a lot of time to fix them.”

Manufacturers have applied to the Arakan State military council to get loans to repair their damaged factories, but more than two months after the storm, nothing has changed.

With many factories still unable to operate, the workers who depend on them for a wage are facing difficulties, and some are resigning.

“I used to be able to send money home regularly. I’m sad that I can’t send money to my family because I can’t work now. Some employees left their jobs. I am continuing to do it because the owner asked,” said Ma Phyu Phyu Win, a female worker at the Lucky 7 tissue manufacturing plant.

The Lucky 7 plant previously operated with 12 workers, but due to the storm, eight workers have left their jobs, leaving only four workers remaining.

“We also want to retain our employees as much as possible, but there are people who leave. I haven’t heard any news about the loan being submitted to the Arakan State military council,” said Ko Nay Min Aung, director of the Lucky 7 plant.