Thai construction giant Ch Karnchang may soon enter into infrastructure developments in Myanmar, a senior executive told the Bangkok Post newspaper. A report published by the English-language daily in April said that the firm was conducting a feasibility study on possible investments in Myanmar, citing Vorapote Uchupaiboonvong, executive vice-president for accounting and finance. “There are many opportunities in Myanmar, and we’re ready to take the initiative, but the study must be completed before we enter the country,” Mr. Vorapote said. Ch Karnchang is the developer of the controversial Xayaburi hydropower dam on the Mekong River in Laos. According to the Bangkok Post, the director said the company was likely to focus its investment in Myanmar on the Yangon area. A subsidiary of Ch Karnchang, TTW Public Company, is conducting a study on a tap water project in the Mon State capital, Mawlamyine, the report said. —Simon Lewis
Suzuki to Enter Thilawa Japanese automaker Suzuki will build an assembly plant in the Thilawa Special Economic Zone (SEZ), according to Japanese media. A report from media group Nikkei said that the company A worker at the Thilawa SEZ project outside Yangon had secured a 20-hectare plot of land inside the zone. The factory would be Suzuki’s second in Myanmar. In 2013, the company restarted its Yangon factory, which assembles a small number of light trucks. According to Nikkei, Suzuki’s new plant could begin production in 2017, employing about 300 people. “Suzuki will assemble imported parts at the plant,” the report said. “Initial output is seen at roughly 10,000 cars a year. It could produce the Ertiga, a seven-seat compact, among other models there.” —Simon Lewis
PHOTO: REUTERS
Thai Construction Firm Looks for Projects
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May 2015
TheIrrawaddy
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