Burmese Teak Industry

Burma is the world's leading producer and exporter of teak. The State Timber Board extracts, processes and markets all the country's timber. About 100,000 men are employed in the industry and about 1,300 elephants are used for extraction and haulage. Since 1953 a number of experts from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) have been aiding the expansion of this industry.
A State Timber Board launch approaches a teak raft as it nears its destination in Rangoon after a 900-mile journey from the north of Burma. These rafts take about three months to reach Rangoon. [Exact date unknown]