Throughout history, Southeast Asia has been a hub of the maritime Silk Road. Over 2000 years ago, Chinese merchant ships sailed far and wide to this region, weaving a tale of bilateral friendship and exchange. Today, Southeast Asia is a priority and focal area for the joint development of the “Belt and Road” initiative, actively responding to and reaping the benefits of this “path of prosperity.”
For the past decade, SUMEC has diligently worked in Southeast Asia, achieving remarkable results with Southeast Asian countries in areas such as connectivity, capacity building, establishing and enhancing regional supply chains, industry chains, and value chains. Through these efforts, SUMEC has significantly contributed to the high-quality development of the “Belt and Road” initiative.
A Stitch in Time, Weaving an International Industrial Chain
In Yangon Industrial Zone of Myanmar, brand-new factory buildings stand in rows. This is one of the well-known garment industrial parks in the region, and home to Myanmar SUMEC Win Win Garments Co., Ltd. (referred to as “Myanmar Industry”). Inside the factory, the “click-clack” of sewing machines sets the rhythm as the female workers swiftly move their needles, tirelessly producing. Soon, these freshly made clothes will be sent across the world…
In 2014, guided by the “Belt and Road” initiative, SUMEC Textile & Light Industry Co., Ltd. took steps towards internationalizing its industrial chain and established its first overseas factory in Myanmar. By increasing orders, introducing advanced technology, adopting lean production methods, and implementing meticulous management tools, the Sino-Myanmar workforce collaborated closely to enhance product quality and efficiency, stitch by stitch. In just a few years, Myanmar Industry has set a local benchmark in the lightweight shirt category, with production capacity per capita and quality leading the industry.
In 2019, SUMEC Textile & Light Industry Co., Ltd. expanded its operations in Myanmar, with the Myanmar Industry Yeni Factory commencing production. This move played a significant role in boosting local employment, improving livelihoods, and promoting economic and social development.
Nowadays, Myanmar Industry specializes in jackets, cotton coats, shirts, and dresses, and boasts two production bases, three workshops, and 56 production lines across the Yangon and Yeni. The total production area covers 36,200 square meters. This large-scale setup establishes Yangon as the center for supply chain management, creating an integrated garment industry cluster that spans the entire value chain in Myanmar.
International relations flourish when there’s a genuine connection between the people of those nations. For years, Myanmar Industry has been a vibrant and energetic force, generating greater value for its clients and earning a solid reputation. But more than that, it’s been a catalyst for local development, offering over 4,000 job opportunities and substantially elevating the skills and quality of the workforce. This has woven a beautiful tapestry of sincere interactions, highlighting the deep bond between China and Myanmar
Clear Streams, Crafting Superior Projects
“The water is tasteless!” declares Ah Mao, a local from the outskirts of Siem Reap, Cambodia, as he turns on the tap and clean water flows freely. “Before, we depended on groundwater, which was not only salty but also filled with impurities. But now, we have access to pure, clean water right at our doorstep, so there’s no need to worry about water quality anymore.”
This change is a result of the SUMEC-CEEC’s contribution to the Cambodia Siem Reap Municipal Water Supply Expansion Project, and Ah Mao, as a member of the localized construction team, experienced it first-hand. He not only enjoyed the added convenience that the project brought to the community, but also forged deep friendships with the Chinese workers in the construction team.
The Cambodia Siem Reap Water Supply Expansion Project marks the SUMEC-CEEC’s first foray into overseas municipal water supply projects. Over the three-year construction period, the team successfully laid down 40 kilometers of DN600-DN1100mm large ductile iron pipes for water transmission, constructed a water pump station, excavated 2.5 kilometers of open channels, and installed 10 kilometers of medium-voltage power cables.
Since the project kicked off at the end of 2019, the construction team has been grappling with challenges such as tight deadlines, high standards, and a lack of manpower. “The pandemic, compounded with the rainy season, significantly compressed the actual construction time,” said Project Manager Tang Yinchao. In the face of adversity, the project department took an innovative approach, proactively seeking solutions. They refined their craft, ensuring the primary construction was of top quality while also implementing localized management practices, working in tandem with project owners, engineers, and Cambodian staff to efficiently coordinate project design, procurement, and civil construction tasks.
In May 2023, the project was successfully completed, becoming the largest municipal water supply project in Siem Reap, and increasing the city’s daily supply of high-quality tap water by 60,000 tons. At the completion ceremony, the then Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister Tea Banh, on behalf of the Prime Minister, awarded the Friendship Knight Medal to SUMEC-CEEC’s Project Director Qiu Wei and Project Manager Tang Yinchao in recognition of their outstanding contributions to the project. He expressed gratitude to both the project investors and builders for their joint efforts, which have advanced Cambodia’s economic and social development and improved living conditions for the people.
Illuminating the Path to Green Energy
In the midst of the vast azure expanse of the Western Pacific, the St. Miguel 81MWp large-scale ground photovoltaic power station on Luzon Island, Philippines, basks in the sunlight, continuously transforming solar energy into electrical power. In 2021, this solar power station, undertaken by SUMEC-CEEC, smoothly transitioned to commercial operations, achieving a peak hourly electricity generation of 60MWh, providing the local area with a steady supply of green, clean energy.
With its abundant sunshine, the Philippines has a wealth of renewable energy resources. The country has long been actively planning its energy transition, making it a hotspot for power infrastructure development. In 2015, SUMEC identified the “green development potential” of the archipelagic nation, embarking on a journey to chase the sunlight. Throughout the execution of projects like the Jawa Nandu Solar Power Station, San Miguel Solar Power Station, and Kuri Maw Solar Project, SUMEC rigorously adhered to the high standards and requirements of the owners, setting a solid foundation for subsequent projects to follow.
In 2022, AbotizPower, a well-known listed company in the Philippines, signed an EPC project for the Laveza 159MWp solar power station with SUMEC. Over the past year, the team has overcome the construction challenges of mountainous solar power development, effectively ensuring the progress of the project and earning the trust and praise of the owner. In August 2023, AbotizPower and SUMEC joined hands once again to sign a new order for the Karatula Laveza 172.7MWp solar power project.
Constructing a project is like erecting a landmark. Since setting foot in the Philippine market, SUMEC-CEEC has delivered and is in the process of realizing solar and wind power projects with a cumulative installed capacity exceeding 650MW. The company continues to infuse a burst of green momentum into the ongoing transformation of the country’s energy landscape.
Post time: Oct-16-2023