In spite of the escalating war in Rakhine State and instability in the region, the Military Council insists advancing the implementation of the Kyaukphyu Special Economic Zone (SEZ), a project backed by the Chinese government.
A Kyaukphyu-based activist commented, "In Kyaukphyu, all routes are tightly blocked, leaving locals severely deprived of food. The earnest implementation of the SEZ now is ironic. While the Military Council asserts that the SEZ will improve living conditions, their intentions seem highly dubious. If the Military Council truly sympathizes with the people, they should prioritize opening the blocked routes. Only then can the public be liberated from the dire situation of food scarcity and near starvation”.
During the coordination meeting of the Central Working Group of Myanmar Special Economic Zone Central Working Body held on December 11th, representatives from the Thilawa, Kyaukphyu, and Dawei SEZ projects were in attendance.
The Chairman of the Central Working Body U Aung Naing Oo, announced that proposals from national companies seeking to invest in the deep-sea port project of Kyaukphyu SEZ will undergo a screening process and will receive approval shortly.
He also stated that once the deep-sea port project commences, it will be prepared to offer support in initiating relevant vocational training programs, aiming to improve employment prospects for the youth of Myanmar including the local population. While the stated objectives of the Kyaukphyu SEZ involve providing employment for local youth and promoting regional development, there are critics that these objectives may not materialize in practice.
"The Military Council promises regional development upon project completion, but there is no specific guarantee. No laws safeguard the rights of local people; everything is under the manipulation of the Military Council. Even in times of hardship, they only act barefacedly for their own benefit”, a Kyaukphyu resident told DMG.
Due to the ongoing conflict in Rakhine State, the Military Council continues to impose restrictions
on both land routes and waterways. Residents argue that attempting to advance the SEZ in such a precarious situation, would only serve the interests of both the Junta and China.
While the stated objectives of the Kyaukphyu SEZ involve providing employment for local youth and promoting regional development, there are critics that these objectives may not materialize in practice.
The Kyaukphyu SEZ will encompass projects such as an industrial zone, residential housing, and a deep-water port. China and Myanmar have engaged in negotiations and reached an agreement for the construction of a deep-sea port, but specific details, including the implementation date, have not been publicly disclosed.
A total of 370 acres on Made Island in Kyaukphyu Township and 237 acres on Ramree Island have been designated as project zones for the construction of the deep-sea port. According to a 2017 report by the International Commission of Jurists (ICJ), approximately 20,000 people residing in the area slated for the deep-sea port face the prospect of forced relocation.
