PRIME Minister U Nyo Saw joined the ceremonies to inau­gurate new Gyaing (Zathabyin) Bridge in Hpa-an of Kayin State and new Attaran Bridge in Maw­lamyine of Mon State, through the Myanmar-Japan coopera­tion, yesterday morning.

On the occasion, Union Min­isters U Tun Ohn, U Min Naung and U Myo Thant, Chief Minister of Kayin State U Saw Myint Oo and Chief Minister of Mon State U Aung Kyi Thein cut the rib­bon to open Gyaing (Zathabyin) Bridge in Hpa-an.

The Prime Minister un­veiled the plaque of Gyaing (Za­thabyin) Bridge and presented gifts to engineers who partici­pated in the bridge construction. Union Minister U Myo Thant gave a commemorative gift to the Prime Minister.

In Mawlamyine, Union Min­ister U Myo Thant, Mon State Chief Minister U Aung Kyi Thein, Deputy Ministers U Aung Kyaw Tun, Maj-Gen Phyo Thant and U Myo Myint opened new Attaran Bridge.

The Prime Minister un­veiled the plaque of the bridge and accepted the commemo­rative gift for the bridge from Union Minister U Myo Thant.

Also, present at the cere­monies were the commander of South-East Command, state ministers, departmental officials, town elders, residents, tradition­al ethnic dance troupes and stu­dents.

Gyaing (Zathabyin) Bridge is of steel cable-stayed type, and it is 2,615 feet long. The facility has a four-lane motorway with 750 feet wide and 40 feet high water clearance. The bridge can withstand 75-tonne of load. New Attaran Bridge is also a steel cable-stayed bridge with 1,575 feet in length. It has a four-lane motorway with 400 feet wide and 40 feet high water clearance. The bridge can withstand 75-tonne of load.

These steel cable-stayed bridges will not only support national development but also promote regional social and eco­nomic life, as well as domestic and international business ac­tivities, creating more employ­ment opportunities. Using these bridges, commodity flow will be efficient from Mawlamyine in Mon State to the Special Eco­nomic Zone and deep-sea port under construction in Dawei, Taninthayi Region, and to the Thilawa Special Economic Zone in Yangon. This will also enhance connectivity along the East-West economic corridor with coun­tries such as Vietnam, Laos, and Thailand.

At the Mon State govern­ment office, the Prime Minister discussed regional development with departmental officials and coordinated with officials to fulfill the needs. — MNA/TTA