Summary：Myanmar is preparing to invite tender from international companies early next year to upgrade Yangon-Pyay railway,...

Myanmar is preparing to invite tender from international companies early next year to upgrade Yangon-Pyay railway, one of the most important sections in the country which carries some 75 percent of all rail passengers, the official Global New Light of Myanmar reported on Sunday.

The work of upgrading the railway will start in 2020, an official of the state-run Myanma Railways (MR) was quoted as saying.

The MR is currently conducting feasibility study to use 200 million U.S. dollars to upgrade the railway and the project will be implemented within three years.

The MR will also receive loans from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the European Investment Bank (EIB) for the upgradation project.

Noting that Myanmar's investment in railway system is just 1.5 percent of its national gross domestic product (GDP) as compared with other countries' which are 6 percent, the official stressed the need to invest more in the sector to assist economic development in the country.

In addition to Yangon-Pyay railway line, the MR is also giving priority to upgrading Yangon-Mandalay and Yangon-Mawlamyine railway lines as well as Yangon circular railway station. Enditem