Myanmar in talks with Russia to build deepsea port & oil refinery upsetting Chinese
Myanmar ruling junta’s decision to opt for Russia for building a Dawei deep seaport on the country’s east coast has riled China which was also eyeing to construct the port located close to the Thailand border.
The Myanmar junta is keen for Russians to invest in the port project along with a special economic zone including an oil refinery, ET has learnt.
China had earlier conducted a feasibility study of Dawei port but developed cold feet as it shifted focus on building the Kyakphyu deep seaport, close to India-built Sittwe port. However, the junta’s tilt towards Russia has incurred the wrath of the Chinese, according to experts on Myanmar.
The proposed Dawei port in Tanintharyi region on the east coast of Myanmar (Andaman Sea) is the gateway to Greater Mekong Sub-region (GMS) countries comprising Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, Vietnam and China. It can also become the gateway port/entry point for Thailand containerised trade considering Bangkok is about 300 kms away from Dawei connected by a two-way concrete road.
ET has learnt that Myanmar and Russia are in discussion stage over the proposed port amid the junta’s decision to move closer to Moscow to counterbalance Chinese influence in the resource-rich country. On the table are proposals to build Dawei port (10 million tonnes capacity) and an oil refinery (100,000 barrels/day). However, Beijing is upset that Russia’s entry into the port sector in Myanmar will undermine Chinese projects in Kyaukphyu within
