The $50-billion Dawei project will play a major role in helping Thai
firms enter Myanmar over the next three years, helping bilateral partnerships,
says the Thai ambassador to Myanmar.
Both countries have agreed to get
the deep-sea port and special economic zone off the ground, said Pisanu
Suvanajata during his return to Thailand.
The project has already been one
of the key promises of Myanmar's leaders in bringing the country forward ahead
of the 2015 general election.
"Dawei is very important not
only for Thailand and Myanmar but also Asean. Once the project is completed,
both countries will become a land bridge. The time it takes to ship Thai goods
to Europe will be shortened by three days, making them more competitive in
terms of logistic costs," he said.
"I can guarantee this
project will be implemented but because of its size, it may take time before
the project reaches a full scale," he said.
Italian-Thai Development Plc
(ITD), Thailand's largest contractor by market value, was granted the right to
develop the 205-square-kilometre project under the framework agreement with
Myanmar Port Authority in 2010.
About US$8.5 billion is required
to develop infrastructure in the first phase, mainly roads and the port. The
next phases include industrial facilities such as an integrated steel mill and
an oil refinery.
Prime Minister Yingluck Shinwatra
and her Myanmar counterpart Thein Sein met in New York last month to discuss
the project after which a memorandum of understanding for the joint development
and three-level mechanisms were signed.
After Ms Yingluck's scheduled
visit to Dawei next month, Mr Pisanu said the two leaders will meet again at
several meetings including the Asia-Europe Meeting in Vientiane, Laos and the
Asean Summit in Cambodia where both plan to announce a clear development plan.
He played down criticism that the
Yingluck government will use Thai taxpayers' money to help ITD with the
project.
"The government will invest
only in infrastructure on the Thai side such as roads. In case Myanmar needs
financial help, it will be in the form of soft loans or partial grants,"
said the ambassador.
Mr Pisanu said Myanmar will host
the 27th Southeast Asian Games next year, its first in 44 years. It will also
chair Asean in 2014 when the member countries and 16 dialogue partners will
attend.
"After Myanmar's general
election [in 2015], nobody knows what will happen and who will become the new
government. But by then, Thailand and Myanmar bilateral relations will prosper
as Thailand will play a significant role in the development there," said
Mr Wisanu.
He said the timing is right for
Thai companies to set up a foothold in Myanmar.
"I'm afraid we can't wait.
If we fail to gain a foothold in Myanmar in three years, we'll face a very
tough competition," he warned, noting that in doing so, reliable local
partners are required.
The Thai embassy in Rangoon
recently joined hands with New York-based Dale Carnegie to organise trainings
for Myanmar senior government officials. Two 30-member groups attended the trainings.
Mr Pisanu said the trainings
support Thailand's strategies to help its neighbour improve its capacity. More
trainings will be held in the future for other groups.
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