[Myanmar] Japanese Firms to Develop $1.7Bn Rangoon-Mandalay Rail Link

Japan has completed a feasibility study on the proposed rehabilitation of the 640-km Rangoon-Mandalay railway line and Japanese firms will be contracted to implement the US $1.7 billion project, Indian newspaper Live Mint reports. Deputy Minister of Railway Transport Thura Thaung Lwin announced the news and also stated that Burma would develop facilities to manufacture diesel locomotives in Naypyidaw and coaches in Mandalay by 2015. “The twin facilities will be operational within three years. The tender has been completed and the contract will be awarded to a Chinese company,†he was quoted as saying. The $100 million investment would be funded for 90 percent through Chinese loans, the minister added.