A series of agreements are expected to be signed later this month regarding the upgrade of three airports in Myanmar. The objective is to boost Myanmar’s tourism industry. According to an article in the Myanmar Times, the deals are related to the construction of customs, immigration and quarantine facilities at three airports. The planned upgrades will be done in Heho airport in Shan State, Mawlamyine in Mon State, and Kawthaung in Tanintharyi Region. All three airports will be upgraded up to international quality. Quoting U Ye Htut Aung, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Civil Aviation, Heho will require $40 million investment, followed by Kawthaung with $36 million, and Mawlamyine with $20 million. Ye Htut Aung said that the department is looking for input from private companies through Public-Private Partnerships. He said it would help speed up the projects. Currently, Myanmar has just three international airports, at Yangon, Mandalay and Nay Pyi Taw. The government sees significant potential in the tourism sector and believes more airports will bring a boost to the sector. The initiatives will contribute to sector growth by improving connectivity as well as service quality.
