November 7, 2013
HURFOM: Thailand’s largest industrial conglomerate, Siam Cement Group (SCG), is reportedly collaborating with Pacific Link Cement Industries Ltd. to construct a 12.4 billion baht cement plant in Kyaikmayaw Township, southeast of the Mon State capital. But residents of Pyar Taung village, located on the eastern bank of the Attaran River that bisects Kyaikmayaw, have alleged that the fledgling project has been accompanied by rampant unjust land acquisition and numerous “broken promises” made to villagers by the companies.
EMG YANGON—Siam Cement Group (SCG), one of Thailand’s leading business conglomerates, has provided educational assistance for 200 high school students in Yangon Region and Mon State, company sources say.
One hundred students from the Yangon townships of Hlaing Tharyar, Shwe Pyi Thar, North Dagon, South Dagon, Mingalardone, Hmawbi, Khun Chan Kone, Tun Tay, Seit Gyi Kanaung To and Kawmhu received scholarships at a ceremony held at the International Business Centre (IBC) in Yangon yesterday. The awards are presented to students who have shown gratitude towards their families, proactively contributed to their communities and have good academic records.
A further 100 students from Mawlamyaing, Kyike Mayaw, Mudone, Paung and Chaung Sone townships in Mon state were also honoured. They will receive their scholarships at an award ceremony to be held at the Strand Mawlamyaing Hotel on Sunday (December 1).
Each student receives funding of up to Ks 200,000 (approximately US$ 206), which helps cover school fees, as well as supplies, for an academic year. Providing the assistance is part of SCG’s “Sharing the Dream” programme, which has been presented in Myanmar for the second consecutive year.
“Education is essential to ensuring that children will grow up to form a new generation of ASEAN citizens who are ethical and knowledgeable. I believe that they (young scholars who received the grants) deserve a bright future and hope that they will pursue higher education and use their talents to support their families and communities,” said Chana Poomee, country director of SCG Myanmar.
“I would like to thank SCG for their commendable corporate social responsibility programme, which not only benefits Myanmar students, but also demonstrates the goodwill of the Thai private sector and the Thai people to our Myanmar friends,” Pisanu Suvanajata, Thailand’s Ambassador to Myanmar, said at the awards ceremony.
“I also want to commend its strong determination to serve society and contribute towards sustainable and human resources development, leading the way towards [Myanmar’s membership in] the ASEAN Economic Community in 2015.”
This year, the firm expanded the programme in Myanmar to offer 200 scholarships, an increase from the 99 students from Yangon, Mawlamyaing and Kyike Mayaw who were awarded scholarships last year. In October, applications were invited from high school students in Yangon Region and Mon State who are studying in Grade 10 or Grade 11.
“SCG also awarded seven students who received scholarships in 2012 and went on to do well in the following academic year with additional grants in recognition of their academic achievements,” said a senior official from SCG.
The programme has granted scholarships to more than 5,000 students in ASEAN countries, including Myanmar, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, Philippines, and Laos. The company aims to pursue this program on an annual basis and will develop other programmes that create a better quality of life for Myanmar people.
With more than 200 companies under its umbrella and approximately 47,000 employees, SCG, comprises three core businesses: SCG Cement-Building Materials, SCG Chemicals, and SCG Paper. SCG Trading offers a wide range of services, including distribution and logistics management for building materials and cement products across Myanmar.
SCG recently announced plans to invest 12.4 billion baht (Ks 378.89 billion) to build its first integrated green field cement plant in Myanmar. To be located in Mawlamyaing, the plant is expected to start operating in mid-2016.
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