Military council chief insists on implementing Kyauk Phyu Special Economic Zone and Deep Sea Port at the earliest

Myanmar junta chief general Min Aung Hlaing insisted on implementing China's investment project Kyauk Phyu Special Economic Zone and Deep Sea Port as soon as possible.

The military council chairman highlighted about the special projects in  a meeting of  National Economic Committee, which was organized at Nay Pyi Daw  on 25 August.

General Min Aung Hlaing emphasized that Kyauk Phyu Special Economic Zone, Dawei Special Economic Zone and  Thilawa Special Economic Zone will not only help the country but also the neighboring countries in economic and development fronts.

During his visits to Rakhine this year, he talked about the implementation of all special economic projects as early as possible.

Veteran Rakhine  politician U Pe Than criticized that the military council for its hurriednes  to implement the special economic project, which he believes that China might have pressurized the Burmese government as Beijing has a lot of investments including in gas and oil pipelines across the region.

"There are a lot of investments by China in Rakhine. Many projects have not been implemented yet. So the Chinese government may put pressure on Nay Pyi Daw," he added.

U Pe Than  also believes that the development may also be related to military affairs.

"I heard that they designated the place where the junta’s submarines and some Chinese navy will dock near the deep sea port. So it may be related to military affairs," he asserted.

But before implementing the Kyauk Phyu project, the authority has to resolve land confiscation issues with the local villagers. It has to take responsibility is the project causes environmental damages and
also affects the livelihood of locals.

In March, Myanmar Survey Research (MSR) company visited Maday island for five days for surveying  the deep sea port constructions.

A man from Maday Kyung informed Narinjara News  that the MSR went to every houses belonging to the villages namely Patheem, Wrama, Kyauk Tan and Pan Tain in Maday island to gather public opinions.

In December 2015, a group of companies led by China International Trust Investment Cooperation (CITIC) won the tender to build Kyauk Phyu Special Economic Zone and Deep Sea Port.

Under the initiative, a port (2,500-meter long and 600-meter wide) will be built  on Maday island and another (1,500-meter long and 600-meter wide) on Rambre island.

The ports will support large cargo ships like Mother Vessels, Carriers, and Supertankers above 1000 feet to enter and exit.

Shwe Natural Gas produced from the Rakhine blocks are exported to China’s Kunming city through the gas and oil pipeline across Myanmar touching northern Shan State.

Local residents are worried about the loss of their livelihood because of the development projects.

The natural ecosystem along Than Zeik river in Kyauk Phyu township will be destroyed by the project. Moreover local fishermen will lose their livelihood due to the damages of  water fishing blocks.

Since the temporary ceasefire came to exist with the Arakan Army, the military council has taken initiative to revive many stalled projects like Napu Daung in Taung Kot township along with  Kyauk Phyu Special Economic Zone and Deep Sea Port in Rakhine State.