US$ 2 billion port complex for Myanmar

Thailand's largest contractor, Italian-Thai Development has signed a US$ 2 billion framework agreement with the Myanmar Port Authority to develop the Dawei Deep Sea Port and industrial estate in Myanmar and build infrastructure connecting it to Pu Nam Ron in Thailand.

The scope of the work, which will be built on a Build, Operate, Transfer (BOT) model with a 60 year concession period, involves the construction of a deep sea port, an industrial park including a steel mill, fertilizer plant and power station and a cross-border road, rail and pipeline link into Thailand. In addition, the scheme will involve the construction of a township containing various, residential and commercial buildings as well as a resort and recreation complex.

The first phase of the work is expected to be the road link from Myanmar's Dawei District to Thailand's Pu Nam Ron, to allow direct access to the site. At the same time, Italian-Thai development says it is investigating potential investors for parts of the scheme, including a partner for the deep-see port development.