[MM]일본 틸라와 SEZ 기공식

Thilawa SEZ breaks ground

By Noe Noe Aung   |   Sunday, 08 December 2013

12

In another major step toward development, representatives of Japan and Myanmar last week attended the ground-breaking ceremony for the Thilawa special economic zone. The first phase of the project, covering 400 hectares of Thanlyin and Kyauktan townships, is to be implemented by 2015.

Japanese and local officials cut the ceremonial rope, breaking ground on the Thilawa SEZ. (Boothee/The Myanmar Times)

At the November 30 ceremony at the port, the vice minister of Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), said. Myanmar’s efforts to attract foreign investment would depend on the success of Thilawa special economic zone, which is 20km (12.4 miles) from Yangon.

“Though Japanese investors are very interested in Myanmar and its emerging economy, they are hesitant to invest here,” said Yoshihiko Isozaki.

“The Myanmar government is preparing new laws for international investors. And many investors are still worrying about terms and conditions. Increasing international investment depends on the success of the Thilawa special economic zone,” he added.

The zone is being developed by a consortium involving the Japan Thilawa SEZ Company, with participation from Mitsubishi, Marubeni and Sumitomo corporations, and the Myanmar Thilawa SEZ Holdings company (MTSH) involving nine Myanmar companies. The Myanmar and Japanese governments signed an agreement establishing the consortium on October 29, said MTSH chair U Win Aung.

“Now is the time to implement the special economic zone,” said U Win Aung, saying he expected the zone to provide job opportunities for local people.

U Set Aung, chair of the Thilawa SEZ management committee, said the first phase of the project would be implemented in 2015 with the construction of automobile and electronics factories.

According to the METI website, Japan will provide ¥20 million (US$3.28 billion) for the related infrastructure, electrical systems, ports and transportation.