The Japanese International Cooperation Agency is conducting environmental and social impact surveys around four key bridges in Kayin and Mon states that need rebuilding to boost trade with Thailand and other ASEAN countries. Once the surveys are complete JICA say it will consider a loan to cover the construction cos
The Japanese International Cooperation Agency is conducting environmental and social impact surveys around four key bridges in Kayin and Mon states that need rebuilding to boost trade with Thailand and other ASEAN countries.
Once the surveys are complete JICA say it will consider a loan to cover the construction costs, provided the government agrees to cover the environmental and social costs.
“The present bridges need to be rebuilt. So we will survey the likely impact on the public from the project,” said U Saw Win, the environmental adviser from E Guard Environmental Services, which has been contracted by JICA to conduct the surveys.
“The Japanese government will decide [whether to fund construction] depending on the data. We can't say exactly whether they will give a loan. Compensation for the impact area is not related to JICA and the Myanmar government will be responsible for this,” said U Aye Thiha, managing director of E Guard.
The Gyaing bridge in Kawkareik township is on the main highway that connects Yangon to Mae Sot on the Thai border, a vital trade artery. Built in 1999, it has since weakened and can now only safely manage 20-tonne trucks, down from 45 tonnes. After being rebuilt the bridge is expected to take 60-tonne trucks.
Improving the highway to Thailand is considered important preparation for the introduction of the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) by the end of 2015. A large number of reforms are required from many countries in the 10-member ASEAN bloc and the government has acknowledged that it is unlikely to meet the deadline.