Thailand, Myanmar move closer on Dawei mega project

Thailand and Myanmar have reached an agreement on developing the Dawei mega project in a sideline meeting of the ASEAN Summit in the Cambodian capital, according to the Thai Foreign Ministry.

According to the ministry's press release, three statements were released after a discussion between Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra and Myanmar president Thein Sein Monday on the sidelines of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit in Phnom Penh.

The two leaders expressed their satisfaction with the successful outcome of the first Joint Committee Meeting on the Comprehensive Development of Dawei Special Economic Zone (SEZ) that was held in Bangkok on November 7. The next meeting will be held in Myanmar in December 2012.

Leaders of the two countries agreed to invite economic alliance countries and investors to jointly develop the Dawei deep seaport.

According to the statements, priority must be given to building roads, the seaport, industrial estates, a power generating plant, sewage, telecommunications, high speed rail service and urban development.

The second statement says the interrelated projects are significant to the region, while the third seeks the formation of a forum for closer cooperation on energy development.

Additionally, Thailand strongly supported Myanmar as host of the World Economic Forum on East Asia and the SEA Games next year as well as assuming the ASEAN chairmanship in 2014.