Yangon regional government will remove squatters located in Yangon’s industrial zones to upgrade the infrastructure in those areas

The government will remove squatters located in Yangon’s industrial zones in order to upgrade the infrastructure in those areas, Daw Nilar Kyaw, the regional electricity, industry, transport and communications minister said on May 31 at the regional parliament.

Many regional lawmakers discussed the issue of upgrading the industrial zones in parliament. Yangon MP U Zaw Win Maung from Hlaing Thar Yar township tabled the question once more in the legislature.

“I want to know how the government is leading the development of industrial zones and how the progress is, and what kind of sectors are supported by the Supervisory Committee for Industrial Sones,” MP U Win Maung remarked.

In Yangon Region, there are 29 industrial zones and their development is beleaguered by lack of reliable and secure access to water and electricity, as well as abysmal road conditions. The authorities need to enforce regulations and laws effectively.

“Some zones, including Hlaing Thar Yar industrial Zone, need to develop and clean up. Road repairs, drainage system and power supply are areas which deserve efforts to tackle. Developing industrial zones are in line with developing the country’s economy,” U Win Maung went on.

According to the Yangon regional plan for the six-month transition period in terms of fiscal year, domestic and foreign investors are hesitant to come in because of the poor infrastructure and the cost. The authorities are set to upgrade the industrial zones and aim to grow the industry sector by 9 percent.

Daw Nilar Kyaw explained that the authorities are working on scaling up power supply and discussing with the World Bank to do so. The Yangon City Development Committee (YCDC) is also attempting to provide water supply.

Since April last year, the government formed the Supervisory Committee and reviewed to Hlaing Thar Yar and South Dagon industrial zones as their pilot project.

Daw Nilar Kyaw went on to say that Hlaing Thar Yar’s key problem is the road conditions but the squatters.

“The squatters are the main problem for the industrial zone. This leads to difficulties in clearing the rubbish and setting up a sound drainage system for the YCDC,” she noted. In South Dagon industrial zone, there are no squatters, unlike the Hlaing Thar Yar zone, but the buildings need to be upgraded.

“Basic infrastructures and services are main important in upgrading the zone, and hence the government will replace the squatters while simultaneously issuing smart cards to them,” the regional minister added, but could not give an exact timeline. 

Meanwhile, the Yangon regional government is planning to set up One-Stop Service Centres in industrial zones which will include six departments. The first one will be launched in South Dagon industrial zone, according to Daw Nilar Kyaw.

(The Myanmar Times: https://www.mmtimes.com/news/yangon-government-clear-squatters-industrial-zones.html )

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