"Burma?s 1975 mineral production remained essentially unchanged from that of 1974. Lack of modem equipment, prohibition of foreign investment, student unrest, and insurgent activity combined to prevent any really significant improvements in the mining sector. The high rate of inflation continued, with 1975 prices more than 300% above the 1969-70 level. The inflation was fueled by an expanded money supply, which was used to finance successive years of large budget deficits. The Ministry of Mines was reorganized in April 1975. The new organization comprised the Minister?s Office, Planning and Inspection Department, Geological Survey and Exploration Department, and five state-owned mineral corporations. The major producing mines were under these corporations, but the Myanma Oil Corporation Refinery and Petroleum Products Sales Corporation were moved to the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Industry. Small-scale, family-operated mines are still privately owned, with most of the output being sold to the Government. The Government intends to step up production of minerals during the second 4-year plan (to start in 1975-76) and envisions an annual 4% growth. During this period, Burma also hopes to achieve self-sufficiency in crude oil production and to begin exporting small amounts. Overall economic growth in 1975 was slow, the gross domestic product (GDP) increased 3.5% for the year at constant 1969-70 prices. Although this was well short of the targeted 6+% growth rate, and a little below the previous year?s 4%, it was more than the 2.7% average annual growth rate for the past decade. Considering that Burma had an estimated population growth of 2.2% per annum, real gains in the per capita GDP were not encouraging. Gross national product (GNP) was reported at about $3 billion. Metallic ores production in 1975 remained little changed from that of 1974. Industrial minerals increased in most cases in 1975, but as their unit values were generally low, the increases did little to bolster the overall economy..."