(Yangon, 14 August 2017) – MPT is holding a tree planting ceremony together with local environmental and community NGOs Myat Neikbban Trees Planting and Donation Group, Kalyarna Thaharya Group and the Yangon Shankone Road Cleaning Group, on 12 August 2017 at the Zabudipa Monastery, Ni Gyaw Dha Yon Monastery and Myitta Yaunchi Monastery of Kone Baung Road, 132 Ward, East Dagon Township. About 100 volunteers from MPT and the respective organizations jointly contributed to the activities to plant 450 trees at the locations.

These activities will form a part of the MPT Green Movement program to plant thousands of trees around the country. Attending the ceremony to kick start the initiative in Yangon, which will eventually encompass more tree planting activities around Myanmar, was Mr. Yoshiaki Benino Chief Operating Officer of MPT-KSGM Joint Operations and department heads, alongside staff volunteers.

Mr. Yoshiaki Benino said, “As a responsible corporate citizen, MPT understands the importance of fostering lush green environments via sustainable efforts throughout Myanmar even as we pursue development in the country. Trees play a vital role in both rural and urban communities. They not only beautify areas, but also enrich the land, reduce carbon emissions and are crucial for biodiversity conservation. Through this initiative, we want to encourage people to do the same as we move forward towards a greener Myanmar.”

The first phase of the program is being implemented in partnership with Myat Neikbban, a tree planting and donation group which has in the past, planted nearly 30,000 trees nationwide. They were joined this past weekend by the Kalyarna Thaharya Group and Yangon Shankone Road Volunteer Cleaning Group that provided environmental cleanup support for the locations where trees were planted.

U Sein Thinn, Founder of Myat Neikkban Trees Planting and Donation Group welcomed the program, saying, “Trees provide an array of benefits such as cleaner air and water, which directly improves the quality of life in the surrounding communities. It is great that a prominent company such as MPT is committed to leading by example and is making a positive environmental impact through supporting tree-planting activities here with us in Yangon and beyond. We hope that others take a leaf out of their book, and are inspired to do their part for the environment.”

MPT is donating 2,500 nursery plants of various species and types including teak, iron wood, neem, sal, kino, Indian almond and rain tree amongst others including other necessary expenses, to ensure this program is sustained for the rest of this year’s rainy season. Following this exercise in Yangon, there will be subsequent efforts to be carried out in other locations including Bago and Ayeyarwaddy Regions.

In addition to the tree planting and environmental cleanup activities, there will be other community supporting programs to start by MPT by participating MPT staff nationwide in near future.