Myanmar is going to hire Japanese firms to manage Mandalay International Airport!

Myanmar Airways International believes hiring Japanese firms to manage Mandalay International Airport will increase the airport’s competitiveness and allow it to grow in tandem with Yangon, the main aviation gateway.

The airline reflects the general viewpoint of most airlines serving the country. They want to see Mandalay turned into a major hub for passenger and cargo traffic serving  major points throughout Asia.

MAI general manager, Daw Aye Mra Tha, was quoted by Myanmar Times as saying that the airline would like to add cargo aircraft flights once the airport is upgraded.

“This part of our future plans, but it depends on the upgrades. Currently we only have cargo services to and from Guangzhou in southern China from Mandalay.”

Business people said the northern airport has lots of potential, if upgrades continue as planned.

Mandalay International Airport will receive an upgrade after two Japanese firms and a Myanmar-focused company signed a 30-year concession agreement to operate and rehabilitate the airport.

The airport has been grossly neglected and its management failed to capitalise on Mandalay’s status as the second largest city in the county a major hub for commerce.

Japan’s Jalux and Mitsubishi Corporation and a subsidiary of Yoma Strategic Holdings Ltd inked a deal, 17 November, to take over management of the airport effective March 2015.

Jalux and Mitsubishi each own 45.5% of the venture, while Yoma owns the remaining 9%.

The airport’s upgrade will cost USD100 million. Once completed it could capitalise on Mandalay’s status as a transport hub feeding exports to countries in Asia and Europe, according to Department of Civil Aviation general director U Win Swe Thu.

Mandalay stands at an important crossroads for both roads and rivers. Home to a port for river cargo vessels, produce from a vast area of the central region arrives at the city for distribution.

The airport deal is the first for the country and brings to the table private equity and foreign expertise to manage a major airport, the report said.

Mandalay International Airport opened in 2000. The terminal has the capacity to handle 1,000 passenger arrivals and 1,000 departures per hour, up to 3 million per year. Following expansion the airport could be raised to 15 million passengers a year.

Currently Bangkok Airways, SilkAir, Golden Myanmar, AirAsia, China Eastern Airlines and Myanmar Airways International all operate regional flights connecting Mandalay to Bangkok, Singapore, Kunming in China and Gaya in India.

Source: t

tweekly

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Japan loan up to USD13 million to complete the cable car project in Myanmar

The Zwekapin cable car project in Kayin State will proceed as planned, thanks to the promise of a loan from Japanese individuals.

The project representative, Sayadaw Badanda Kawida Zak, told Myanmar Eleven news that a high-ranking Japanese official as well as some shareholders of Toshiba Corp will visit this month and finalise a loan to underwrite the project.

“They are ready to loan us up to USD13 million to complete the project,” the head monk explained to the news channel.

Unveiled earlier in the year, the project remained just a proposal due to the lack of funding. A charity concert was hosted in May to raise donations, but the event failed to reach its financial target.

Supporters say the cable car will facilitate pilgrims and travellers to Zwekapin Mountain, where Zwekapin Pagoda is located at a height of 2,734 feet above sea level. The area in Hpa-an, the capital city of Kayin State, is famous for its greenery and critics of the project are concerned that it will cause over crowding and is not in the best interests of serious worshippers who go to the pagoda.

But supporters claim it will be good for tourism and that at present is an argument that silences opposition.

Construction will be handled by Malaysia-based engineering firm SMET Sdn Bhd, with assistance from a local company, San Tit Co. Soil testing and cable design is already completed.

The head monk said that wind turbines would be used to generate electricity, which would reduce operational costs.

“The Japanese said they loan us the money for 30 years,” the monk added. “Now, we have collected MMK3 billion (USD3,076,950) in donations. We still welcome more donations. I will push forward this project for sure.”

Kayin State’s capital city is Hpa-an sometimes called Pa-An.

The state is bordered by Mae Hong Son, Tak, and Kanchanaburi provinces in Thailand to the east; Mon State and Bago Region to the west and south; Mandalay Region, Shan State and Kayah State to the north.

Visit us at Threeland Travel Myanmar to get further information about traveling around the world and exploring Myanmar; to have access to the best travel services and to meet our professional consultants who're always available for help. For any inquiry please contact us.

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Japan & Myanmar enhance cultural exchange

Japan and Myanmar will cooperate to build cultural links and support the growth of tourism between the two countries.

According to local news report, Culture Minister U Aye Myint Kyu said cultural heritage plays an important role in promoting tourism between the two countries.

“Currently, only 10,000 Japanese travelers visit Myanmar, but it could grow to as many as a million in the future,” he said.

Myanmar and Japan are cooperating in culture, with Japanese culture shows visiting the country and the introduction of Japanese language schools. However, this is only small compared to the massive investment the Japanese government and private companies are willing to make in Myanmar.

Similar cooperation is being developed with the German government to support the tourism business the ministry reported.

German Minister of State at the Foreign Office, Cornelia Pieper, said: “Germany is interested in expanding its tourism business in Myanmar. However, it would be a lot better if more chances were given to medium-level tourism services and programmes.”

According to the minister, German tourists, who are booked on tours to visit Myanmar, face difficulties due to sudden rising prices. Prices needed to be stabilized, she warned.

“Myanmar has outstanding cultural heritage features, but the country faces the challenge of caring for and restoring its heritage. This would be best done through cooperation with UNESCO and other international organizations”.

Visit us at Threeland Travel Vietnam to get further information about traveling around the world and exploring Vietnam; to have access to the best travel services and to meet our professional consultants who're always available for help. For any inquiry please contact us.

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