Myanmar Postcard - 25 August 2020

Myanmar Solar Tender Update

It was reported in the local media in mid-August 2020 that the announcement of the winners of the tender for the Ground Mounted Solar Power Projects in Myanmar is expected “very soon”.

It was also reported that a total of 155 bids were submitted for the 30 sites tendered by the Ministry of Electricity and Energy with 85 bids, more than half coming from Chinese entities. The next highest were from Thai and local firms who made 22 and 21 bids respectively. 10 bids came from European entities.

Business Integrity - A Handbook for Myanmar Businesses

The Myanmar Centre for Responsible Business (MCRB) in collaboration with the Anti-corruption Commission (ACC), the Union of Myanmar Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry (UMFCCI) and the UN Development Programme (UNDP) has published a book titled “Business Integrity: A Handbook for Myanmar Businesses”, a guide intended to help owners and managers of business in Myanmar who want to resist corrupt practices and reduce exposure to the risks that corruption creates.

A New Special Economic Zone to be Implemented in Mon State

On 29 July 2020, government officials announced plans to establish a new special economic zone (“SEZ”) in Mon State to connect Myanmar with the Mekong Subregion East-West Economic Corridor. The location will also be an area that will permit the construction of a deep-sea port and that can be easily connected to the existing Thilawa SEZ. An international advisory firm is to prepare a feasibility study and master plan to assist in the selection of the new SEZ location in a transparent manner.

This new SEZ will be the largest of its kind in Myanmar and seeks to create jobs and business opportunities and attract foreign investment.

71 New Projects added to the Project Bank

In our April 2020 postcard we reported the Project Bank’s announcement of its first 58 projects. The Project Bank has recently added a further 71 new projects with a combined value of US$ 7.9billion, the largest project by investment sum being US$ 900million Yangon Elevated Expressway Project. The other new projects include the construction of research and laboratory facilities, infrastructure and power supply plants across the country which accords with the country’s target to achieve electrification of the whole country by 2030 and to improve its transport capabilities.