The Impact of rail transportation on regional economic development of Myanmar

Abstract

The transport sector has a vital role in fostering economic growth and advancing social development particularly in rail infrastructure. The railroads have been developed in many developed countries in terms of improving the land transport technology and positively changing the movement of freights and passengers. Myanmar is currently dependent upon commodity exports and imports with limited in-country manufacturing and assembly being coupled with an abundant mix of extractive industries. National rail infrastructure is very important for economic development in terms of income and employment opportunities. Rail transportation, which, has been already developed in some countries such as Korea and Japan will be reviewed to understand how rail transportation impact on economic development. Myanmar will get the latecomer advantage by practicing these two countries experiences in terms of improving rail infrastructure.