Dawei, Kyaukpyu SEZs to be speeded up

Vice President U Henry Van Thio has called for speeding up the implementation of Dawei and Kyaukpyu special economic zones to achieve significant progress amid slow growth of the two zones.

In his capacity as the Chairman of the Myanmar Special Economic Zones Central Committee, the Vice President made the remarks in his opening address at the meeting of the central body held for the first time in 2018 yesterday in Nay Pyi Taw.

The central committee was formed in 2016.

A bid to develop the Kyaukpyu SEZ has been completed in accordance with international rules and regulations.

“Kyaukpyu Special Economic Zone is directly related with the development of Myanmar and Rakhine State as well, and we must strive for successful implementation of the zone,” said Vice President U Henry Van Thio.

In his address, the Vice President also expressed his belief that there would be progress in signing a framework agreement on the Kyaukpyu Deep Port project, as negotiations are underway.

Regarding the Dawei Special Economic Zone, Japan is participating as the Special Purpose Vehicle-SPV.

“All of us need to make efforts for implementing the Dawei Special Economic Zone because the earlier the project completes, the earlier the country will see development,” said the Vice President. He also urged the participants at the meeting to give suggestions for development of the country’s economic zones as soon as possible.

The two zones are considered as slow growth zones in comparison to the Thilawa Special Economic Zone which has a total foreign investment of over US$ 1.4 billion from 95 companies.

A total of 52 factories are operating there, creating job opportunities.

Implementation of Zone-A of Thilawa SEZ is nearly completed while construction of the Zone-B is underway.

The meeting was attended by Union Ministers U Thant Zin Maung, U Win Khaing, U Khin Maung Cho, Dr. Than Myint and U Soe Win, region and state Chief Ministers U Phyo Min Thein and Daw Le Le Maw, Deputy Ministers Dr. Tun Naing, U Aung Htoo and U Kyaw Lin, chairmen of the management committees of the special economic zones, vice chairmen and secretaries, Permanent Secretaries of the ministries and Directors-General of the respective departments.

At the meeting, Vice Chair of the Thilawa SEZ Management Committee Daw Nilar Kyaw reported on issues related with the Thilawa SEZ, while Deputy Minister Dr. Tun Naing, Chairman of Dawei SEZ Management Committee, on issues related with Dawei SEZ. Deputy Minister U Kyaw Lin discussed plans for construction of the two-lane road between Dawei and Htikee.

The Union Ministers, Chief Ministers, Deputy Ministers and officials also discussed issues related with implementation of the special economic zones.

After hearing reports, Vice President U Henry Van Thio suggested balancing the situation of the implementation of projects though they are targeted for economic development.

The Vice President also advised the Dawei Special Economic Zone Management Committee to review the current agreements and MoUs and to give advice to the government, as the government is planning to implement the tripartite project with Thailand and Japan.

He also called for speeding up the implementation of the Dawei-Htikee Road between Myanmar and Thailand.

Regarding the land issues at the Thilawa SEZ, Vice President U Henry Van Thio also suggested settling the issues in cooperation with the Yangon Region government, urging the Thilawa SEZ Management Committee to update the systems of the zones so as to meet international standards as it is considered the role model for other economic zones in Myanmar.

Ref; The Global New Light of Myanmar