Myanmar's teak export up (Xinhua)

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Myanmar's teak export up 

Xinhua, Yangon, 22 October 1999. Myanmar exported 194,562 cubic meters of
teak in the first half of this year, earning 99 million U.S.dollars,
according to the latest figures published by the country's Central
Statistical Organization. the export volume and earnings respectively
increased by 158.45 percent and 104.33 percent compared with the same
period of last year, the figures show. Meanwhile, Myanmar also exported
226,824 cubic
meters of hardwood in the half-year period, earning 15.48 million dollars
of foreign exchange. The export
volume and earnings rose by 273.65 percent and 123.37 percent respectively.
The figures also indicate
that Myanmar exported 133,717.5 cubic meters of teak in 1998, earning 94.65
million dollars, and
235,739 cubic meters of hardwood in exchange for 29.38 million dollars. The
figures of the Myanmar
Ministry of Forestry show that the country's forest area is shrinking year
by year. The percentage of
coverage by forest in the country dropped to 50 percent at the end of 1998,
compared with 57 percent
36 years ago. The forest depletion is attributed to indiscriminate felling
and cutting of trees including
firewood plantations for fuel and burning of charcoal. Myanmar has worked
out projects for greening
the arid districts under which revival of firewood plantations is among the
measures being taken. 

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The above report updates the following, posted on 9 October:


Myanmar's teak export sharply increases 

Xinhua, Yangon, October 8.  Myanmar exported 130,000 cubic-meters of teak
in the first four months of this year, earning 68.75 million U.S. dollars,
according to the latest figures published by the country's central
statistical organization. 

The export volume and earnings respectively increased by 158.8 percent and
121 percent
compared with the same period of last year, the figures show. Meanwhile,
Myanmar also exported
149,565.5 cubic-meters of hardwood in the first four months of this year,
earning 10.4 million dollars of
foreign exchange. The statistics also indicate that Myanmar exported
133,717.5 cubic-meters of teak in
1998, earning 94.65 million dollars.

The figures of the Myanmar Ministry of Forestry show that the country's
forest area is reducing 
year by year. The percentage of coverage by forest in the country dropped
to 50 percent at the 
end of 1998, falling by 7 percent compared with 36 years earlier. 

The cause of forest depletion was attributed to indiscriminate felling and
cutting of trees including 
firewood plantations for fuel and burning of charcoal. Myanmar has worked
out projects for greening 
the arid districts, under which revival of firewood plantations is among
the measures taken. 



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