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PRESS RELEASE ON THE RICE SILOS PROJECT-June 23,2011
EMBASSY OF INDIA
YANGON
PRESS RELEASE ON THE RICE SILOS PROJECT
The Government of India financed a India-Myanmar Friendship Project to set up rice silos (warehouses) to facilitate disaster relief operations in Myanmar. Under this project, ten 500 tonne silos have been set up in various locations in Yangon and Ayeyarwaddy Regions. One silo has been constructed in Phyarpon, Kyaklatt, Bogalay, Lappotta and Malamyaingkyun townships in Ayeyarwaddy Region and in Kaumhu and Daydaye townships in Yangon Region while three have been constructed in Dawbon township in Yangon Region. These silos will enable speedy emergency supply of food grains to the affected people in the event of a natural calamity such as cyclone, tsunami, etc.
2. The total cost of US$ 2 million incurred on the project has been borne by Government of India. For its part, Government of Myanmar identified the locations, provided the design and supervised the construction of the silos, which was undertaken by a local Myanmar company. The silos have been carefully designed, taking into account the local climate where there is heavy rainfall for much of the year and frequent storms. Each silo is, therefore, built on an elevated platform which will not only address the problem of flooding but also give shelter, if necessary, to the local people in case of a devastating cyclone such as Cyclone Nargis. In fact, the genesis of this project lies in the experience of the 2008 Cyclone Nargis which resulted in tremendous loss of life and property in the Yangon and Ayeyarwaddy regions. The successful completion of this project will undoubtedly stand the people of Myanmar in good stead in future times of need.
3. The three silos in Dawbon Township in Yangon Region were inaugurated jointly by Shri S.M. Krishna, External Affairs Minister of India, and U Win Myint, Minister of Commerce of Myanmar on June 21, 2011. At a formal ceremony in Nay Pyi Taw on the same day, documents pertaining to the construction of all ten silos were handed over to mark the completion and handing over of all ten silos to the Government of Myanmar were handed over.
Yangon
June 23, 2011
