H.E. U Chan Maung, Deputy Minister, Ministry of Rail Transportation, discusses the government’s plans for developing Myanmar’s rail infrastructure.
European Times: What are your ministry’s main goals for the rail system?
H.E. U Chan Maung: In the rail sector, the leading enterprise is Myanmar Railways, which carried around 53.8 million passengers in the 2012-2013 fiscal year and operates an average of 469 trains per day. We have more than 7,000 km of rail track in our country. The main lines are Yangon to Mandalay, Mandalay to Myintkyina, Yangon to Pyay and Yangon to Mawlamyine. Service remains poor in many areas because we have been focusing on constructing new rail lines. The maintenance of existing train tracks has fallen behind and our coaches and rolling stock need updating as well. We expressed our needs in this area during the Myanmar Economic Development Cooperation Forum in Naypyitaw in January 2013. We have asked for assistance from international donors.
European Times: What is the significance of the railway system for Myanmar’s economic development?
H.E. U Chan Maung: Myanmar is endowed with many natural resources and we need the necessary infrastructure to be able to transport these goods throughout the country. Trains emit fewer pollutants than cars and are also cheaper than other modes of transportation. If we can update our rolling stock, our railways will be a strong support for the country’s economic development. We particularly welcome assistance from Germany and France because we have about 150 Alstom locomotives from France and about 50 Krupp locomotives from Germany. We need to work together with European partners to extend the life of these engines. We have made many proposals to potential public- and private-sector partners in the EU and we are hoping for positive responses to our requests.
European Times: Can EU investors be confident that their financial support will be used correctly?
H.E. U Chan Maung: We confess that Myanmar has a history of corruption, but the President has notified ministries that this cannot happen any longer. All processes must be transparent and we know we must ensure very good communications between donors and the ministries receiving financial support so that we can work together to achieve aims that satisfy both sides. The President has established three guidelines that the government must follow: transparency in every ministry, accountability in all actions, and that all projects have to be ready to be audited by an outside party.
