One of the key priorities of Myanmar’s government is improving the infrastructure of the country. U Win Khaing, Union Minister of Construction, discusses Myanmar’s activities in the construction and infrastructure sector.
European Times: What are your main activities in regards to road infrastructure?
U Win Khaing: Myanmar is a rainy country in need of durable, water resilient roads, so quality is the primary focus of the Ministry of Construction in this sector. We are dedicated to maximizing our resources, energy and human capacity in order to improve the road infrastructure and secure better roads and better connectivity in Myanmar. One of our most recent projects is the upgrading of two 10-mile sections of the Yangon-Mandalay highway, which we pledged to finish within 100 days. The upgrade to the roads will reduce traffic accidents along the highway and will be used as a criterion for estimating the cost of upgrading the entire 366 mile highway.
Additionally, in order to improve the coordination and to integrate the road networks, we have formed the National Roads and Bridges Development Committee, aimed at bringing all concerned parties under one “umbrella” with a common objective and vision.
European Times: What is the Ministry’s strategy regarding public housing?
U Win Khaing: I firmly believe that it is our responsibility to provide food and shelter for our people and there is a dire need for improvement since only 136.000 units of housing were delivered in the past 50 years. We already started providing affordable and low cost housing and my goal is to ensure 180.000 units in my mandate. In two years we have pledged to deliver 8000 units between 40 to 60 sq m in 81 selected towns and cities, mostly in Yangon and Mandalay. By 2030, depending on efficiency, there will be between one and two million public housing units delivered.
The main beneficiaries of public housing are government employees, pensioners, people who never had a house before, people in need of social housing for a certain period, and newly married couples and young families with limited funds available. The price for these houses is below US$10.000, with a plan for buyers to pay a 20% up front and the rest over an instalment period of 8-15 years. The Construction and Housing Development Bank will offer a special interest rates to additionally help these vulnerable categories.
European Times: Which are additional priorities of the Ministry?
U Win Khaing: The third focus area for my ministry is urban planning, especially correcting the hectic way in which permits have been given in the past. Corruption has no place under my watch and I guarantee a levelled playfield for all. Everyone will follow the rules and regulation and will be equal before the law. Providing equal treatment, harnessing our energy and positive attitude will bring everybody on board the same boat, rowing in the same direction towards a better Myanmar.
