Myanmar, Japan unveil huge industrial zone

Yangon

MYANMAR and Japanese dignitaries on Wednesday launched the first phase of a huge industrial zone on the outskirts of Yangon, as the long-isolated nation pushes to rapidly accelerate its industrialisation.

Housing everything from children's toy manufacturing to a car assembly plant and a deep sea port, the Thilawa Special Economic Zone (SEZ) has risen rapidly from the tropical countryside in recent years with major investments from Japan.

The factory complex, set to sprawl 2,400 hectares along the banks of the Yangon river when complete, is a first of its kind in Myanmar, which saw i…