Press Release

The Groundbreaking Ceremony for the commencement of two construction packages under Yangon-Mandalay Railway Improvement Project (Phase I) and Yangon Circular Railway Line Upgrading Project at Yangon Central Railway Station in Yangon on 18 May 2019.

The said Ceremony was honored by the attendance of H.E. U Thant Sin Maung, Union Minister, Ministry of Transport and Communications, H.E. U Phyo Min Thein, Chief Minister of Yangon Region Government, H.E. U Tin Maung Tun, Speaker of the Yangon Region Hluttaw, H.E. U Kyaw Myo, Deputy Minister, Ministry of Transport and Communications, Daw Nilar Kyaw, Minister of the Ministry of Industry, Electricity, Roads and Transport and Communications of Yangon Region Government, H.E. Mr. Ichiro MARUYAMA, Ambassador and officials from the Embassy of Japan in Myanmar, U Win Khant, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Transport and Communications, U Ba Myint, Managing Director, senior officials, and staff members of Myanma Railways, Mr. Masayuki KARASAWA, Chief Representative and officials from Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), officials from concerned government departments, the representatives of the Consultants and Contractors, distinguished guests, and media.

H.E. U Thant Sin Maung, Union Minister, Ministry of Transport and Communications delivering the opening Remarks at the Groundbreaking Ceremony.

H.E. U Phyo Min Thein, Chief Minister, Yangon Region Government delivering the remarks at the Groundbreaking Ceremony.

H.E. U Tin Maung Tun, the Speaker of Yangon Region Hluttaw delivering the remarks at the Groundbreaking Ceremony.

H.E. Mr. Ichiro MARUYAMA, Ambassador of the Embassy of Japan delivering the remarks at the Groundbreaking Ceremony.

Mr. Masayuki KARASAWA, Chief Representative JICA remarks delivering the remarks at the Groundbreaking Ceremony.

H.E. U Thant Sin Maung, Union Minister, H.E. U Phyo Min Thein, Chief Minister, H.E. Mr. Ichiro MARUYAMA, Ambassador, U Ba Myint, Managing Director, Mr. Masayuki KARASAWA, Chief Representative, and Japanese Contractors celebrated the Groundbreaking Ceremony for Yangon-Mandalay Railway Improvement Project Phase I and Yangon Circular Railway Line Upgrading Project.

First of all, H.E U Thant Sin Maung, Union Minister delivered the opening remarks. Afterwards, H.E. U Phyo Min Thein, Chief Minister, H.E. U Tin Maung Tun, Speaker of Yangon Region Hluttaw, H.E. Mr. Ichiro MARUYAMA, Ambassador and Mr. Masayuki KARASAWA, Chief Representative delivered the remarks respectively. Subsequently, the Representatives from the Japanese Contractor Companies delivered the words of thanks.

Later, H.E U Thant Sin Maung, Union Minister, H.E. U Phyo Min Thein, Chief Minister, H.E. U Tin Maung Tun, Speaker of Yangon Region Hluttaw, H.E. Mr. Ichiro MARUYAMA, Ambassador, U Ba Myint, Managing Director, Mr. Masayuki KARASAWA, Chief Representative, and the distinguished representatives from the Contractor companies honored the Ceremony by shoveling the ground to commemorate the beginning of the Civil Works (Pazundaung-Bago Section) (CP101) under Yangon-Mandalay Railway Improvement Project Phase I, and Signlalling works (CP201) for Yangon Circular Railway Line Upgrading Project.

H.E. U Thant Sin Maung, Union Minister, H.E. U Phyo Min Thein, Chief Minister, H.E. Mr. Ichiro MARUYAMA, Ambassador, U Win Khant, Permanent Secretary, U Ba Myint and Officials from Myanma Railways, Mr. Masayuki KARASAWA, JICA Myanmar Chief Representative, and Japanese Consultants and Contractors posed for the commemorative group photograph at the Groundbreaking Ceremony for Yangon-Mandalay Railway Improvement Project Phase I and Yangon Circular Railway Line Upgrading Project.

The said Groundbreaking Ceremony is held for the commencement of Contract Package No. CP101 (Civil Works for Pazundaung-Bago Section) under Yangon-Mandalay Railway Improvement Project Phase I, and CP201 (Signalling Works) under the Yangon Circular Railway Line Upgrading Project.

Yangon-Mandalay Railway Improvement Project

Yangon-Mandalay Railway is being rehabilitated in two phases: Yangon-Taungoo Section [YM Phase (I) Project], and Taungoo-Mandalay Section [YM Phase (II) Project] under the Loan Scheme of the Japanese Official Development Assistance (ODA). The objectives of the said YM Project are to renovate and modernize the old facilities and equipment in the section between Yangon and Taungoo of the existing railway that connects Myanmar's largest and second largest cities (Yangon and Mandalay), and to promote safer and faster train service, enhance the

capacity for passenger and cargo transport, and thus to contribute to Myanmar's economic growth.

The Loan Agreements for Yangon-Mandalay Railway Improvement Project (Phase I) were signed on 5 September 2014 (for JPY 20 Billion), and on 1 March 2017 (for JPY 25 Billion) respectively. The Project includes civil and track works, installation of signal & telecommunication systems, procurement rolling stock and consulting services. The YM Phase (I) Project is expected to be completed in 2023.

Yangon Circular Railway (YCR) Line Upgrading Project

As for Yangon Circular Railway (YCR) Line Upgrading Project, the Project is being upgraded by the under the Loan Scheme of the Japanese Official Development Assistance (ODA).

The objective of the YCR Project is to improve the efficiency of passenger transport capacity and the safe and comfortable public transport services of Yangon Circular Railway Line by rehabilitating and replacing the existing railway facilities and the rolling stock, thereby contributing to the social and economic development of Greater Yangon.

The Loan Agreement was signed on 16 October 2015 (for JPY 24.866 Billion). The YCR Project includes improvement of signaling works, and procurement new Diesel Electric Multiple Unit (DEMU) (rolling stock) and consulting services. The Project is expected to be completed in 2023.