<Project Concept Paper>

Capacity Building Program for Environmental Issue of Railways Development in

Myanmar

I. Introduction and Background

1. Railway infrastructure is a critical element in socio-economic development and inter-

regional integration of the country. Adequate, efficient, and effective railway systems are
important for access to markets, employment, education and basic services critical to human
welfare. Moreover, as the railway connects various regions of the country to the economic
center, it promotes regional equity and vitalization of industries, thereby encourages foreign
investment. Given its social and economic roles, railway infrastructure is often referred to as
the backbone of a modern economy and social development.

2. The Myanmar Railways began with a line from Yangon to Pyay built in 1877, with
extensions to what would become the Yangon- Mandalay line beginning in 1884. The rail
network has considerably expanded over the last twenty years which has contributed to
connectivity to remote areas of the country. However, these steel rails have not been properly
maintained. As a result, their poor condition and inefficiencies have hampered foreign
investment and economic growth in Myanmar. In recognition of these problems, the
government of Myanmar has committed to improve the quality of railways sections that
connect important economic centers in the country, namely the Yangon-Mandalay-Myitkyitna
section and the Bago-Mawlamyine section under the framework of economic and social
reform.

3. In efforts to rehabilitate and modernize the current railway system, Myanmar

government signed ODA loan agreement with the Japan International Cooperation Agency
(JICA) on September 5, 2014 for a Yangon-Mandalay route. MR also signed a contract to
supply and install railway signaling systems between Yangon and Pyuntasa station. In
addition, “Myanmar Railways Modernization Project,” funded by the Economic
Development Cooperation Fund (EDCF) of the Korean government is currently under way to
replace overage rolling stocks and to construct a switchyard. Also for a Mandalay-Myitkyina
route, “Railway Rehabilitation and Modernization Feasibility Study” is ongoing with a
support of EDCF.

4. As developed railways in Myanmar, land development issues and environmental

management issue are raising. From steam-powered trains to a homegrown bullet train, the
railway’s evolution has been an indispensable tool for Korea’s industrialization with over 115
years of railway history. Therefore, Korea’s successful experiences could provide useful
guidance for Myanmar to establish environmental railway development capacity, contributing
to economic development and regional integration of the country.

5. For the Project, the Korea Eximbank will hire KSP consultants to conduct activities
in accordance with key milestones covering all scope of work and having major events such
as workshops. To ensure effective assistance to the Korea Eximbank, the consultants will be

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required to (i) work and liaise directly with the Korea Eximbank, (ii) keep the Korea
Eximbank informed of all developments in a timely manner. The assignments are subject to
change in agreement with the Korea Eximbank.

II. Detailed Tasks

7. (Activity 1) Conducting Diagnostic Analysis of Myanmar Railways Project

This activity describes current status of on-going and future plan of railways project in
Myanmar to identify environmental and social issues regarding railways project. This
diagnostic study includes (i) review of current status of on-going and future plan of railways
project, (ii) policy and legal system pertaining to environmental development in Myanmar,
and (iii) existing safeguard issue on railways project of each project donor/management
organization. The KSP team will coordinate closely with the Myanmar Railways and conduct
the overall analytical framework. The research will actively utilize the materials provided by
the Myanmar Railways and Ministry of Environmental Conservation and Forestry
(MOECAF). As a starting point of the Project, an inception workshop will be organized by
the KSP consultants under the supervision of the Korea Eximbank. From this workshop, the
Korea Eximbank and KSP consultants will refine and confirm assignments of the consultants
reflecting the feedback from the Myanmar Railways.

8. (Activity 2) Conducting Case Study on Korea’s relevant experience

The activity 2 includes (i) case study on Korea’s environmental and social issue of railways
project based on policy, legal system, technology, and etc., (ii) comparative study between the
Myanmar’s situation and Korea’s experience, (iii) implication of the Korean case to
Myanmar situation, and (iv) analysis on Korea’s EDCF safeguard.

9. (Activity 3) Recommendations for Myanmar based on activity 1 &2

Based on the result of Activity 1 and 2, the consultancy should propose railways policy
recommendation for improvement of environmental management competency of railways
project, which consists of suggestion on (i) operation of organization, (ii) manpower training
system, and (iii) policy/legal system that is harmonious with environment policy, and (iv)
budget estimate and work schedule.

10. (Activity 4) Capacity Building Workshop

Based on the results of the above activities, the KSP team will host a capacity building
workshop in Korea for key decision makers, managers, or senior technical staffs from
Myanmar. With extensive activities on railways related sustainable development case study in
Korea, the workshop may include (i) seminars for railways development policy focusing on
land and environmental development, (ii) a few site visits and meetings with Korean experts,
(iii) on-the-job training or train-the-trainer programs. The workshop will be an opportunity
not only to share interim findings from the previous activities with the delegates, but also to
have discussions concerning capacity improvement of Myanmar’s government officials for
railways project.

11. (Activity 5) Dissemination Seminar

This seminar will be held to share the result of the Project in Myanmar. It aims to disseminate
the project outputs for the national and local stakeholders, experts from related sectors, and
participating parties of the Project. Based on the results, participants may discuss the next

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 step and conclude milestones for further collaboration. The scale, duration, and the date of the
seminar will be determined in consultation with the Myanmar Railways. The final report will
be disseminated at an event along with the presentation containing the final policy
suggestions based on the thorough studies performed by KSP team.

12. Regarding the activities mentioned above, there will be extensive consultations with
relevant stakeholders, a comprehensive literature review and analysis on the topics identified
under Activity 1 and 2. In addition, Korean experts in the field of power management
operation will contribute to gathering the successful case of Korean experiences, leading to
meaningful insights for Myanmar. Furthermore, consultation workshops and missions will be
held as a gathering for all officials and experts from relevant agencies and ministries so as to
share the thoughts from the previous activities and to distribute any findings in a broader
range.

III. Outputs/Deliverables

13. The following outputs/deliverables are expected in a designated schedule:

• Inception Report
• Inception Workshop
o Interim Report
o Executive summary
o Project overview
o Diagnostic Analysis
o Case Study on Korea’s relevant experience for the Myanmar Railways based on
Korea’s relevant experience (including (i) case study on Korea’s environmental
and social issue of railways project based on policy, legal system, technology,
and etc., (ii) comparative study between the Myanmar’s situation and Korea’s
experience, (iii) implication of the Korean case to Myanmar situation, and (iv)
analysis on Korea’s EDCF safeguard)
• Capacity Building Workshop
• Final Report
o Executive summary
o Project overview
o Diagnostic Analysis
o Case Study on Korea’s relevant experience for the Myanmar Railway based on
Korea’s relevant experience
o Recommendations for Myanmar Railways
o Budget estimate and work schedule
o A summary of capacity building activities and outcomes
• Dissemination Seminar and Project Completion Report
14 The schedule of activities is as follows:

Activities (Milestones) Expected Date

Mobilization of KSP consultant [TBD]
Inception Workshop (Inception Report) [TBD]

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Activity 1
[TBD]
- Diagnostic Analysis
Activity 2
- Case Study on Korea’s relevant experience for the [TBD]
Myanmar Railways
Activity 3
[TBD]
- Recommendations for Myanmar Railways
Activity 4 [TBD]
- Capacity Building Workshop
Activity 5
[TBD]
- Dissemination Seminar
- Project Completion Report [TBD]

IV. Costs & Estimated Financial Plan

15 The KSP budget for this assignment is USD [TBD]. It will cover expenses for all the
activities mentioned above, including travel and accommodation expenses for consultants and
administration.

V. Consultancy Requirements

A. Characteristics

 The Consultant will be a Korean firm

 The Consultant is required to employ any local expertise in Myanmar, as Local
Consultant
 Contract Duration : [TBD]
 Place(s) of work: Based in Korea, with several missions to Myanmar when necessary

B. Qualifications

 Extensive experience of consulting services in the issue of planning, designing,

building and developing railway infrastructures
 Experience of being involved in railway related projects in developing countries,
Myanmar in particular
 In-depth knowledge in policies and regulations associated to railway infrastructure
construction
 Considering the given-time constraint and corresponding work schedule, a consulting
firm should present its plan and methodology how to effectively conduct researches
 Demonstrate ability to work harmoniously with government and international officials
 Experience of cooperation with Myanmar government will be preferred
 An excellent communication skill (both speaking and writing) in English is essential

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 <Attachment 1>

Basic Project Information

Project Title: Capacity Building Program for Environmental Issue of Railways

Development in Myanmar
Project Type: KSP Policy Consultation III
Project Duration: TBD
Project Budget: TBD (KSP: TBD ADB: ____ [TBD])
Stakeholders: Korea Eximbank
Myanmar Railways
Person in Charge: Korea Eximbank: Mr. Yushin Kim (Team Director)
Ms Keungsun Hong (Project Officer)
Myanmar Railways: Mr. U Maung Maung Thwin (General Manager)
Mr. U Min Chan Mon (Divisional Engineer)
Project Activities Activity 1:
• Diagnostic Analysis includes (i) review of current status of on-
going and future plan of railways project, (ii) policy and legal
system pertaining to environmental development in Myanmar,
and (iii) existing safeguard issue on railways project of each
project donor/management organization

Activity 2:
• Case Study on Korea’s relevant experience for the Myanmar
Railways includes (i) case study on Korea’s environmental and
social issue of railways project based on policy, legal system,
technology, and etc., (ii) comparative study between the
Myanmar’s situation and Korea’s experience, (iii) implication of
the Korean case to Myanmar situation, and (iv) analysis on
Korea’s EDCF safeguard
Activity 3:
• Recommendations for Myanmar Railways includes (i) operation
of organization, (ii) manpower training system, and (iii)
policy/legal system that is harmonious with environment policy,
and (iv) budget estimate and work schedule
Activity 4:
• Capacity Building Workshop in Korea

Activity 5:
• Final Dissemination Seminar