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GMS East–West Economic Corridor Eindu to Kawkareik Road Improvement Project

Improvements to 66.4 km of roads between Eindu and Kawkareik, in Kayin State.

Sectors
Transport
Country
Myanmar
Partners
Approval
Jump to: Financing Issue Solution ACGF Support

Financing

Total Project Cost

$404.88 million

ADB Financing

$100 million

AIF Financing

$20 million

JICA Cofinancing

$284.88 million

ISSUE

An incomplete GMS East-West Corridor, which hinders Myanmar's economic growth and the flow of goods and people in the region.

Myanmar suffers from a lack of good quality transport connections nationally and with neighboring countries, which has constrained its economic growth and integration within Asia. After five decades of isolation, it was essential that regional connectivity is improved to stimulate and sustain economic development, and to normalize cross-border flow of goods and people. Kayin State has been affected by sectarian conflict for decades resulting in weak infrastructure and high levels of poverty. But it also has the principal road link to Thailand, along which 25% of the country’s land-based trade passes. Upgrading this stretch of the road will complete improvements to the Myanmar sections of the GMS East-West Corridor, opening up new economic opportunities for the state and country and support inclusive growth. This includes links to Yangon and Mawlamyine with Da Nang in Viet Nam. Improvement of the GMS EWEC within Myanmar will dramatically improve connectivity, reduce travel times, and support economic development within the corridor and beyond, lifting many out of poverty in the poor state of Kayin.

SOLUTION

Improved 66.4 km of road between Eindu and Kawkareik, to facilitate cross-border trade and support the peace process.

In 2015, the project set out to (i) improve road access to and within Kayin State; (ii) facilitate trade between Myanmar and Thailand, and beyond to the wider GMS region; and (iii) support the peace process and demonstrate the government's commitment to improving the well-being of people in areas that have long been affected by conflict. The GMS EWEC within Myanmar is a priority of the government, as highlighted in the national transport master plan. The project has been providing financial assistance for the improvement of 66.4 km of road between Eindu and Kawkareik, to improve the existing two-lane road in line with the GMS road network standards, adding paved shoulders suitable for bicycles, motorcycles, and agricultural vehicles. Some sections are being realigned for traffic ease and better road safety, and climate-proofing features are being incorporated, including elevating portions in flood-prone areas and improving drainage. An access road to the Kyon Doe river port is also being reconstructed to give the country’s inland waterway transport network a boost. The project also includes design features for climate resilience in this flood-prone area, including raising the road to a level that takes into account potentially higher future flood levels to provide year-round access. Contracts were signed with China Road and Bridge Corporation on 25 October 2016 and pre-construction activities commenced in Q1 2017. In Q4 2019, a new quarry was approved and construction resumed in October 2019.