Myanmar has drafted an action plan for the development of dry ports (inland ports) and containerisation of rail transport to ensure free flow of goods and provide new opportunities for international trade before implementation of the ASEAN Economic Community in 2015.
The action plan is set to be carried out in the current fiscal year of 2014-15, state-run media announced.
Under the plan, the state-run Myanmar Railways is to build dry ports in Yangon and Mandalay, where three sites are targeted as top priorities as these sites are large enough to hold containers and road and rail networks facilitating access to industrial zones.
The plan also covers running container trains from inland container depots to sea ports directly and the repair of 13 bridges on the Yangon-Mandalay railroad.
According to the Myanmar Railways, open tenders to develop the dry ports will be invited soon to start construction work within four months.
There are three special economic zone (SEZ) projects being implemented in Myanmar – Thilawa SEZ in Yangon region, Dawei SEZ in southern Tanintharyi region and Kyaukpyu SEZ in western Rakhine state.
