MYANMAR Pearl Enterprise received more than 40,000 South Sea pearls in February harvested by Japanese company Tasaki, a senior enterprise official said last week.

U Sein Lwin, the enterprise’s general manager, said the pearls were handed over as part of a production sharing contract between the Tasaki Pearl Company and the enterprise.

He added that the enterprise will place some of the pearls into the upcoming 45th gems emporium, which will be held at the Myanma Convention Centre from March 9 to 20.

But he said the enterprise will “save some of the pearls for other pearl fairs”.
U Sein Lwin also said the enterprise would welcome more domestic investors to the industry.

“We will give new investors technical advice and provide them with other necessary information about the production of pearls,” he said.

He added that the enterprise will also help new firms choose the location of their pearl farms because this is vital to the success of the investment.

“The pearl farm cannot be located too close or too far from villages: If it is too close there will be pollution but for logistical reasons it must not be too far away either,” he said.

Myanmar has 25,600 square kilometres of pearl-producing area. The country’s South Sea pearls are popular in world markets and bring higher prices than other varieties.

Three foreign and two local companies are currently conducting pearl culturing operations on eight islands. The enterprise also has three of its own pearl farms.

Myanmar pearls are exported to Japan, Australia, Hong Kong and various European countries via gem emporiums and pearl auctions.