Press Release

Ministry of Construction (MoC) and The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) have signed a new agreement for teaming up for securing quality of Road and Bridge through Operation and Maintenance. This is about the newly started technical cooperation project- "the Project for Capacity Development of Road and Bridge Operation and Maintenance" which aims at enhancing the capacity of engineers of MOC for roads and bridges maintenance and management.

Whilst having collapse of Myaungmya Bridge on 1st April 2018, the analysis on safety and counter action for road and bridge infrastructure by MoC is extremely crucial for Myanmar's logistic networks. By developing bridge inspection and evaluation manuals, road inspection and repairing design manuals and formulating annual maintenance plan in construction projects, JICA and MoC is to fulfil such technical needs.

The Project is one of the flagship schemes of Japan's Official Development Assistance (ODA) and the total duration of the said Project will be (2.5) two and a half year. During the implementation, various opportunities for learning- such as lectures, seminars and trainings in both Myanmar and Japan will be provided to engineers from Department of Highways and Department of Bridge under the Ministry of Construction. Besides, actual implementation of pilot projects will be conducted with the assistance from JICA Experts so that the MoC can continue the operation and maintenance works in sustainable manners. JICA and MoC has completed the project "Capacity Development of Road and Bridge Technology" in April, 2019- and the construction management manuals, safety control manuals and technical documents will be also utilised at the practical level.

U Win Tint, Permanent Secretary, U Shwe Lay, Director General of the Department of Bridge, Deputy Director Generals, Chief Engineers and officials concerned of the Ministry of Construction attended the signing event. U Win Tint, Permanent Secretary delivered the remarks and words of appreciations. Mr. Masayuki KARASAWA, Chief Representative of JICA Myanmar Office, delivered the remarks. Afterwards, U Win Tint, Permanent Secretary, and Mr. Masayuki KARASAWA, Chief Representative of JICA Myanmar Office concluded and exchanged the said Record of Discussion.

The development of infrastructure plays a vital role to ensure sustainable economic development of Myanmar under transition. Robust investment in infrastructure is a route to faster economic growth as it facilitates and spurs economic growth by providing better connectivity, enhanced productivity and efficiency. In this context, JICA, together with Myanmar government is strengthen the road network- particularly East West Corridor- which brings vitality of other South East Asian partners into Yangon- the heart of Myanmar, through some key cities in eastern Myanmar, namely, Hpa-an and Mawlamyaing. JICA and MoC has successfully developed "quality" access road from Yangon to Thilawa SEZ, and expected to open New Bago Bridge in 2021. JICA hopes that such activities can be applied to various parts of key roads and bridges all over the Myanmar.

U Win Tint, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Construction, and Mr. Masayuki KARASAWA, Chief Representative of JICA Myanmar Office, signed the said Record of Discussion.