YANGON, February 3 (Xinhuanet) -- Myanmar exported 256,681 cubic-
meters of teak in the first ten months of 2001, a 4.57-percent
drop from the same period of 2000, according to the latest figures
released by the country's Central Statistical Organization.
   Meanwhile, during the period, the country exported 304,225
cubic-meters of hardwood, a 27.58-percent reduction from the
corresponding period of 2000.
   Export earning from teak and hardwood totaled 217.26 million U.
S. dollars during the ten-month period.
   In 2000, Myanmar exported a total of 302,810 cubic-meters of
teak and 494,259.5 cubic-meters of hardwood with their total
earning amounting to 201 million dollars.
   Timber has become Myanmar's second largest export goods after
agricultural products and foreign exchange earned through the
export of timber accounted for about 20 percent of Myanmar's total
export earning.
   The country's teak enjoys a good reputation in the world and 85
percent of the teak in the world market is produced in Myanmar.
   According to other official figures, Myanmar produced about 200,
000 tons of teak from its forests each year since the fiscal year
1997-98, down from about 400,000 tons in the 1970s. Myanmar's
forest covers 50 percent of its total land area, registering 33
million hectares, seven percent less than in 1962.
   To overcome teak shortage, Myanmar launched a special
plantation plan five years ago and has been able to plant more
than 32,400 hectares of teak. 
   Of the forest area, 18.6 percent are reserved and protected
public forest, the percentage of which is being targeted to
increase to 30.   Enditem