The World Bank pledged Tuesday to help Myanmar improve people's access to electricity as it hailed a "new beginning" in its relations with the former pariah state. World Bank officials visited the former army-ruled country for three days of talks with President Thein Sein, opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi and other actors in the country's rapid transformation.
"Turning on the lights in Myanmar will enable children to read at night, and encourage villagers to start new businesses which will lead to growth and jobs," said World Bank East Asia and Pacific vice president Axel van Trotsenburg. "Sufficient, reliable and affordable electricity will help relieve poverty in rural areas and create opportunities for all," he said in a statement.
Only one in four people have access to reliable electricity supplies in Myanmar, according to the World Bank. In November the Washington-based institution promised aid of $245 million to support Myanmar's reform drive, resuming assistance for the country after a quarter-century absence. "The first project is a project to provide financing for replacement of gas-furnished turbines and we would like to present that project to the board, our board, for approval in September," Trotsenburg told reporters.
Comments
Comments are closed.