Efforts made for Kyaukpyu Deep Seaport to become green, modern port

The Kyaukpyu Special Economic Zone will be shaped into a green and modern port, said Union Minister U Aung Naing Oo.
The Union Minister at Union Government Office 1 who is also Chairman of Myanmar Special Economic Zone Central Working Body said during the meeting with the media in Nay Pyi Taw on 26 December.
He also pledged that the activities will be carried out strictly in accordance with Myanmar’s environmental protection laws and best international practices.
Starting from 2022, not only the initial geo-topographic survey (PGTS) and environmental and social impact assessment (ESIA) for the deepsea port project were carried out, but the world-renowned Canada-based project management company HATCH was appointed as a project consultant, with its help, the contractors were selected and also managed the project area.
As the initial geo-topographic survey work (PGTS) has already been completed, the relevant geo-topographic technical reports will lay a solid foundation for the subsequent design and construction of the project.
An Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) is intended to analyze and assess the potential environmental impacts of a project’s future construction and operation, and to develop measures to prevent or mitigate adverse impacts.
The project company has also appointed an Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) consulting firm with local experience and international perspectives through international open tendering in strict compliance with Myanmar’s existing laws.
Since April 2022, the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) consulting company has conducted a series of analysis and public participation activities to understand the basic environmental conditions surrounding the deep seaport project, and recorded the concerns of local residents regarding environmental protection issues, he continued.
Currently, the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) has also completed the scoping phase of the project, so the Scoping Report has been approved by the Myanmar Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment.
In developing the Kyaukpyu deep seaport project, it will be implemented based on three basic principles of promotion of interests of people, wealth and environmental protection -PPP(People, Prosperity, Planet). While the project activities are actively being carried out, both Myanmar and China are paying special attention to improving the lives of Kyaukpyu residents.
Therefore, more than 10 social benefit projects such as rural fund project in Kyaukpyu region, vocational skills training, mobile clinic project and mangrove plantation projects have been consistently carried out, and thousands of local residents have benefited from these projects.
In the future construction and operational stages of the project, the local and foreign social benefit partner organizations will be invited to work together in the business, health, education, environmental protection efforts and creation of employment opportunities that people need.
The project company contributes US dollars 1,000,000 every year for the first five years of the project construction phase and $500,000 annually to the operational level and strive for CSR and social welfare activities.
“In order to meet the needs of local people in carrying out socially beneficial CSR activities, we will invite the balanced participation of the local community and carefully listen to the opinions and suggestions of the locals,” he continued.
Mr Liang Chuanxin, Director of Kyaukpyu Special Economic Zone Deep Seaport Company Limited, said, ‘‘We aim to create more positive impacts to conserve the natural environment and reduce the negative impacts. Therefore, we appointed an Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) consulting firm with local experience and international perspectives through international open tendering in strict compliance with Myanmar’s existing laws.”
In assessing the environment and social impacts, the solid foundation will be laid to ensure the greening of environment and sustainable development goals, he added.—Hein Min Soe/KTZH