Chairman of the State Administration Council Prime Minister Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, together with SAC members, Rakhine State Chief Minister U Htein Lin, Western Command Commander Maj-Gen Htin Latt Oo and officials, inspected the Kaladan Multimodal Transit Transport Project in Sittway Township of Rakhine State yesterday.
First, Union Minister for Transport and Communications Admiral Tin Aung San reported on the project procedures, port infrastructures, construction of office facilities, arrival of machinery and vessels along the river, construction of Paletwa inland water transport jetty, dredging, the highway from Paletwa to Myanmar-India border, recognition of international customs port, plans to set as local jetty and benefits for the country on completion.
In his response, the Senior General said the Kaladan Multimodal Transit Transport Project will bring benefits to Rakhine State and facilitate local and foreign trade flows. Myanmar and India possess a good relationship in history and are also good neighbouring countries. The project can improve bilateral trade and is strategically important for the two countries. The development activities can be carried out in northern Rakhine State including Paletwa only when there is peace and tranquillity in Rakhine State after the ceasefire. Moreover, it will also support the development of the Kaladan river. Therefore, hard work should be exerted from respective sectors to complete the project as quickly as possible.
Then, the Senior General and party observed the project site and the Indian Consulate-General of Sittway Mr Bibekananda Bhattamishra and officials presented the project operations. The Senior General also coordinated the discussion.
Several benefits for Myanmar associated with the Kaladan Multimodal Project are; the two countries can achieve more trade opportunities, there will be international seaports for direct shipments to other countries in addition to India, it will support transportation services in Rakhine and Chin states as well as the regional development, it will create job opportunities and the residents can get opportunities such as water transport tourism. — MNA/KTZH
