H.E. U Kyaw Lwin, Minister of Construction, discusses the importance of infrastructure development in Myanmar.
European Times: What are your ministry’s responsibilities?
H.E. U Kyaw Lwin: The Ministry of Construction has two main departments, Public Works, which is responsible for the country’s infrastructure development, and the Department of Human Settlement and Housing Development, which is responsible for urban planning and housing development. Myanmar’s infrastructure is insufficient so we are seeking help from our friends in the international community. Since the lifting of sanctions, we have enjoyed a close relationship with the EU.
European Times: What are the main challenges Myanmar faces?
H.E. U Kyaw Lwin: Our new government has only been in place for just over two years, but we have worked very hard to implement political, economic, institutional and private-sector reforms as well as capacity-building. Myanmar was once very isolated and now we are opening the country up to the world. We hope our work with ADB and JICA will prove to international investors that we are ready and willing to work together with them to improve our infrastructure. We are also fighting corruption and we are trying to be transparent in every sector.
European Times: What are some recent infrastructure projects in Myanmar?
H.E. U Kyaw Lwin: Myanmar completed the Yangon-Mandalay expressway, the country’s only expressway, without assistance, but now this road needs to be upgraded. We also need to build new roads. We have recently built over two miles of bridges across rivers, which has provided connections to places which were unreachable before.
European Times: What are the opportunities for the private sector in Myanmar’s infrastructure-development projects?
H.E. U Kyaw Lwin: The private sector can participate in the construction industry not only through road and bridge construction but also in housing development. We have launched build-operate-transfer projects for road construction and we have formed joint ventures with local companies concerning building housing developments.
European Times: What opportunities does Myanmar offer European companies?
H.E. U Kyaw Lwin: We have a lot of needs, not only roads but also housing. As our cities are growing, affordable housing is needed. We also need to upgrade connections not only throughout our country but also between Myanmar and its regional neighbours. We welcome foreign investors to participate in these projects.
European Times: What is your personal message to potential investors?
H.E. U Kyaw Lwin: We understand that not everything can be attained overnight, but we are trying and we have made genuine progress in the right direction.
