Myanmar has
dismissed the developer for what would be Southeast Asia’s largest economic
zone, throwing Dawei SEZ into question yet again. Though the grandiose plan is
backed by Thailand, Japan and China, its continued financial struggles reveal a
project plagued by instability and mismanagement.
Editorial
Myanmar’s Dawei
Special Economic Zone (SEZ) has hit yet another snag as the Myanmar government
has terminated its agreement
with a Thai construction company to build the US$8 billion,
200-square-kilometer project.
Italian-Thai
Development (ITD) announced on December 30
that the Myanmar government had dismissed the firm and its development firm
partners for failing to make concession payments and meet other conditions. The
Dam investment projects put peace at risk
Saw Paul, director of the coalition for sustainable rivers development, the Karen Rivers Watch (KRW) said.
“At this fragile stage of the ceasefire process, pushing ahead with the Hatgyi dam and other (mega development projects) will reignite conflict and could derail the talks. Investing in these projects is sabotaging the hopes of Karen people for lasting peace.”
The Karen Rivers Watch in a released statement said they are concerned the security around the dam sites could escalate into armed conflict.
“The increased Burma Army security around the dam sites and blatant disregard for concerns of impacted communities are heightening tensions, and throwing into doubt the government’s sincerity in conducting ceasefire talks.”
Myanmar’s Economic Year in Review
Myanmar s business hub, Yangon. / Htet Wai / The Irrawaddy
4.8k
By Nan Lwin 25 December 2020
YANGON The Myanmar government began 2020 with high expectations that it would be the year the economic liberalization and reforms it introduced during the previous four years would begin to bear fruit. However, the COVID-19 pandemic upended its plans, slowing Myanmar’s economic growth to 1.7 percent in fiscal 2019-20 from 6.8 percent in 2018-19, not only hammering small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and the tourism and garment/textile sectors, but also delaying important economic events and activities needed to spur foreign direct investment (FDI).
Movers and Shakers of 2020: The Irrawaddy’s Persons of the Year
Movers and Shakers of 2020: The Irrawaddy’s Persons of the Year
5.6k
By The Irrawaddy 22 December 2020
It has been a uniquely challenging year, even by the standards of Myanmar’s recent history. The global COVID-19 pandemic has not spared the country, and while the toll has been severe Myanmar ranks third in ASEAN for cases and deaths the most dire predictions have not come to pass, thanks to the heroic efforts of the nation’s doctors, nurses and volunteer health workers, who have worked tirelessly and at great personal risk to ensure that every patient receives free hospital treatment and that the country’s quarantine centers continue to function. The nation’s stretched medical resources have been calmly and capably deployed by Health Minister Dr. Myint Htwe and State Counselor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, and crucially supplemented by the donations of Myanmar citizens, rich and poor. The nation’s economic