U Tin Win

» When and where were you born?

In 1942 in Dedaye Township, Hpya-pon District, Ayeyarwady Division.

» Where were you educated?

I passed the matriculation exam in 1958 and continued on to Yankin College.

» What is your background in rice business?

My parents were rice millers and I got involved in the family business in 1964. In 1990 I pioneered the use of modern equipment like rubber huskers and triune cylinders, which were rarely found in domestic rice mills back then.
How did you become president of the Myanmar Rice Millers’ Association?
From 1990 to 2002, I held a variety of executive and leadership roles in the Myanmar Rice Millers’ Association headquarters. In 2003, I was nominated by the Ministry of Commerce for the two-year presidency of the association. I was nominated to continue for a second term, from 2005 to 2007, at last Annual General Meeting of the association.

» What have you achieved as president?

My role is to facilitate the development of the country’s rice milling industry and meet the needs of its members. A significant achievement during my presidency is that we were one of the organisers of the first nationwide Rice Milling Industry Fair in 2004. As an outcome of that, we were able to set up seven committees for developing the rice milling industry and manufacturing modern rice milling units domestically. We have also arranged overseas trips to lean about the industry.

» What are some of the association’s goals and activities?

We want more rice millers to grow rice on newly reclaimed lands and wetlands. And we also encourage contract farming and the establishment of seed banks to produce high-quality rice so we can recapture are position as the world’s rice bowl. And we are also urging rice millers to move from offering basic milling services to developing commercial milling systems that include export. Our seven committees travel throughout the country encouraging rice millers. We also help members get loans from the World Bank and lubricate the relationships between the association’s members and the government.

» What are the main challenges facing you as the president of the association?

The rice milling industry is actually very broad, and we have to deal with people from all walks of life: farmers, rice millers, traders and government officials. So that can be a challenge.

» How do you like to relax?

Playing golf is my favourite hobby.

» What is your favourite tourist destination in Myanmar?

I prefer to go where I can see many green paddy lands and rice mills operating, rather than visiting beaches and other popular tourist sites in Myanmar.