Burma looks to expand fruit exports

Commercial authorities in Myanmar (formerly Burma) are urging farmers to expand exotic fruit exports to boost foreign exchange earnings, reports official newspaper New Light of Myanmar.

The fruits that have been highlighted for particular attention are mangoes, watermelons and melons. According to the report, the country exported more than $12 million of mango, $7m of watermelon and $4m of musk melon in the fiscal year 2005-06, which ended in March.

To help boost exports, an association of fruit growers, producers and exporters will be formed in the future, the report said.

Myanmar's agriculture grew 11.8 per cent in 2005-06, according to official figures.