The government has established industrial zones across the nation with a view to raising the private sector and creating opportunities for national entrepreneurs to spread their wings, boosting per capita income of the people in states and divisions, creating job opportunities, efficiently using natural resources and raw materials, manufacturing value added goods, producing import-substitute items, and saving foreign exchange.
Now, the industrial zones are picking up development momentum, resulting from the government’s effective encouragement, and harmonious cooperation of those in-charge, responsible persons and industrialists of the industrial zones.
I interviewed Management Committee Chairman wood-based enterprise proprietor U Aye Lwin, Secretary U Than Zaw Htwe, Treasurer U Maung Maung Naing, Joint-Secretary U Than Lwin and Member U Myint San of the Dagon Seikkan Industrial Zone situated near the newly-inaugurated Dagon Bridge.

Q: How many wood-based enterprises are there in the Dagon Seikkan Industrial Zone?
A: Seventeen forest product and wood-based enterprises. They earn foreign exchange for the State by manufacturing and exporting value added products. They produce modern furniture, rattan ware, wood-based products and sawn timber with the efficient use of forest product raw materials, and export the products.

Q: What sorts of factories does the Dagon Seikkan Industrial Zone have?
A: Ten foodstuff factories, 20 personal good factories, two construction material factories, 17 forest products factories, two chemical factories, three stationery factories, three machinery and machine factories, five marine product factories, five automobile assembling factories, and four foundry plants.

Q: I would like to know if the industrial zone exhibited its products in the Myanmar-China Trade Fair held at Muse 105th-mile camp last year.
A: Yes, it did. Nine factories of the industrial zone took part in the trade fair. They are Myanmar Mercury Garment Factory, Fresh Up Toothpaste Factory, Polymer Foam Mattress Factory, Unicolor Exercise Book Factory, Infinity Steel Household Utensil Factory, Sinoda Coffee Mix Factory, PEP Milk Powder Factory, Popular Plastic and SOGO Electrical Apparatus Factory, and Dagon Seikkan Garment Factory.

Q: Well, U Maung Maung Naing, the industrial zone is boosting production of the items. So, I would like to know what sorts of benefits you have made due to the emergence of the Dagon Bridge.
A: It is a long time I have dreamt about a bridge like the Dagon Bridge. I founded my factories in the Dagon Seikkan Industrial Zone, looking forward to the emergence of the Dagon Bridge. Now, the Dagon Bridge has been opened, so our dream has come true. On the other side of the Dagon Bridge, there are Thilawa International Port Terminal and Thilawa Industrial Zone that is being extended. Our Dagon Seikkan Industrial Zone is the second nearest industrial zone to Thilawa International Port Terminal. Thilawa Industrial Zone that will emerge soon is the nearest one. The Dagon Bridge will help us save time and money. It can withstand 75 tons of loads for a cargo truck. So, ten-wheel and twelve-wheel trucks and container trucks can use it easily.

Q: What sorts of benefits do you think the people will enjoy due to the emergence of the bridge?
A: In the past, the majority of the workers in the Dagon Seikkan Industrial Zone were from Ward 88 and Ward 89 of Dagon Myothit (Seikkan) Township. We had to rely much on them. I wanted to extend production processes of some factories, but I could not do so, because of labour shortage. Now, the people on Thanlyin side can enjoy more job opportunities. Workers on Thanlyin side who want to work here are warmly welcome to the Dagon Seikkan Industrial Zone. We can enjoy opportunities to extend our works due to the bridge.

Q: U Myint San, would you please explain the transport conditions after the emergence of the Dagon Bridge?
A: We can get to Yangon East University and Thilawa International Port Terminal in a short time if we use the Dagon Bridge. That means we can save one-third of the time we have to take to get to the same destinations using the Thanlyin Bridge. We can go to Kayan and Thongwa directly. These townships are the source of a lot of agricultural produce. They will be able to transport their produce to Yangon in a short time due to the bridge. Previously, it took two hours for the workers who left Dagon Seikkan Garment Factory to get home by using Thanlyin Bridge. Now, it takes only twenty minutes for them using the Dagon Bridge. I think it will be more convenient for the people when there are more bus lines that pass through the Dagon Bridge, for instance, the distance between Dagon Seikkan and Thanlyin, Kayan, Thongwa, and between Dagon Seikkan and South Dagon, North Dagon and East Dagon. If duties are assigned to the Management Committee of the Dagon Seikkan Industrial Zone regarding the matters to launch new bus lines, we will try our best for that.

Q: U Than Zaw Htwe, How do you feel, regarding the Dagon Bridge?
A: It links Dagon Seikkan Industrial Zone in Dagon Myothit (Seikkan), Yangon East District, and Thilawa International Port Terminal and Thilawa Special Commercial Zone in Thanlyin Township, Yangon South District. I am pleased that we will be able to export our industrial products through the Dagon Bridge.

I also interviewed driver U Tin Tun who drove a container truck passing through the Dagon Bridge, Daw Than Than of Yuzana Sittoung Housing Estate, Daw Sandar of Yuzana Garden City, and passenger bus driver Ko Zaw Win Oo.

Q: U Tin Tun, how long have you worked as a container truck driver? And is it convenient for you to drive pass through the Dagon Bridge?
A: I have worked as a container truck driver for more than ten years. It is very convenient for me to drive on the Dagon Bridge because it has a six-lane motorway on it. Moreover, there is no need to worry about the weight of loads, because it can withstand 75 tons of loads for a truck. We can get to Thilawa Port in Thanlyin through No 2 Highway in a short time. Therefore, I have to say thanks to the government.

Q: Daw Than Than, what is your age? Is it convenient for you to pass through the bridge?
A: I am 60. I live in Yuzana Sittoung Housing Estate. When I moved to the estate, I learnt that a bridge would be built here. So, I decided to settle here. I learnt that the bridge had been opened, so I am here to see it. We can enjoy fresh air, staying on the bridge in the evenings. It is good for our health.

Q: Daw Sandar, is it the first time you are here?
A: No, I come here every day. I live in Yuzana Garden City near here. Now, I can go to any other place easily thanks to the bridge.

Q: Ko Zaw Win Oo, do you pass through the Dagon Bridge to travel between Yangon and Thanlyin?

A: Yes, I ferry students on Yangon side to and from Yangon East University in Thanlyin in a bus. I also ferry the workers in Thanlyin to and from Coffee Mix Factory in Dagon Seikkan Industrial Zone. In the past, I passed through Thanlyin Bridge. Now, I pass through the Dagon Bridge to save time. Due to the Dagon Bridge, drivers of Thanlyin, Kyauktan, Kayan and Thongwa can save fuel a lot.

The government spent more than 20,000 million kyats on the reinforced-concrete type bridge with a six-lane motorway on it. The Ministry of Construction is building many bridges, large and small, for the convenience of the people to travel from one place to another in accordance with the motto “Build roads and bridges to enhance friendship among national races”. The infrastructures including the transport ones reflect the efforts the government is making for equitable development of all parts of the Union.