The “Swiss challenge” for a major contract within the New Yangon City project will move forward with 16 eligible bidders from nine countries.

The firms will submit bids for a USD 800 million contract to build infrastructure within the massive project, which includes a new bridge over the Yangon river, an industrial zone, housing and commercial buildings. China Communications Construction Co. (CCCC) had originally received the contract, but earlier this year the Yangon regional government decided to introduce a “Swiss challenge” in which third party firms are allowed to submit competing bids.

Even if it loses the challenge, CCCC will remain a major partner in New Yangon City, which is a part of the China-Myanmar Economic Corridor initiative. In July, an official close to the matter assured the Irrawaddy that the decision to unbundle the New Yangon City tender was because of the sheer scope of the project, and not — as some critics have speculated — due to the political backlash of working closely with CCCC, which has been entangled in corruption and fraud allegations outside Myanmar. While the Swiss challenge may indeed add an element of transparency to the endeavor, CCCC will be difficult to unseat, as the firm will have the opportunity to revise its proposal to beat the winning bid of the Swiss challenge.

The 16 hopefuls include firms from Japan, Singapore, Italy, Spain and France, reported The Irrawaddy.