Myanmar Telecommunication Network

Myanmar Telecommunication Network

One of Asia’s least developed nations, at least according to telecommunications and economy, will be open to foreign investments and given subsidies as well as liberal policies.

Asia’s least developed telecommunications market is about to take off thanks to foreign investment and liberalized policies. It is surprising to see that in such a world where almost everyone has a smart-phone, only 12.3% of Myanmar’s citizens have a basic mobile. The country can thank its military junta leaders, with their conservative mind-set for that.

But, all that is about to change. International countries such as Ooredoo, Telenor, NEC, NTT and Sumitomo etc. have been granted licenses to operate there. Though, definitely, it will take time to create a basic infrastructure, yet mobile subscribers rate is expected to grow at 30% to reach more than 32 million by end of this decade. This will ensure the mobile penetration rate is more than 50%.

An analyst said “A properly functioning telecoms network will spur innovation in other critical industries, such as education, healthcare and finance, and contribute to overall socio-economic development.”

Bouregreg Valley Development Project

Bouregreg Valley Development Project

Keeping in mind environmental principles, the Bouregreg Valley development is split into 6 complementary phases notably. Right now, only the first two phases are initiated. The first phase aims to be a major entertainment centre in the world and will cost 7 billion dirhams. Covering an area of 30 hectares, it includes hotels, cafes, residential homes, amusement parks, urban rail transport such as tram. The second phase is a bridge which consists of a pedestrian/cycling platform, tram lines and a viaduct. The other phases include more access roads and a marina project along the coastline. They also include “new neighbourhoods for professional and residential use, as well as public amenities and spaces. It will also preserve cultivated land, create natural ecological spaces, carry out reforestation activities and restore water courses that represent a risk of causing gully erosion and landslides. Furthermore, it will deliver effective urban continuity between the two towns and improve road infrastructure, links, and traffic flow between the cities of Rabat and Salé.” (Ufmsecretariat) 

Moscow-Kazan High Speed Rail

Moscow-Kazan High Speed Rail

Any project connecting the capital of one of the world’s most important country and the nation’s new & developing economic hub is a very prestigious one. Such a project is the Moscow-Kazan High Speed Rail. Announced by Russian President Putin in 2013, this rail project covers 770 kilometres and is most likely to be completed in 2018. Considered by many as the first “real” high speed rail project of Russia, it is expected to reduce travel time between Moscow and Kazan by rail by more than 9 hours as well as run 400 kilometres per hour.

It is expected to increase mobility of the citizens of these two metropolitan cities as well as providing jobs to many. It is expected to be designed by a consortium of three companies, two Russian and 1 Chinese for a total cost of 20.8 billion rubles ($383 million) over the next two years. The actual construction will be at a cost of 1.06 trillion rubles ($19.5 billion). This project is also an example of export of high speed rail to other countries from China.

Recife Metropolitan Region Sewage Treatment Project

Recife Metropolitan Region Sewage Treatment Project

In a developing country, there is bound to be lots of waste & sewage uncleaned, treated improperly & unprocessed. Keeping this mind, Brazil has initiated a massive sewage treatment project for the region of Recife, which will serve 15 cities. It aims to collect and treat 90% of the sewage produced in that region, and in a record 12 years. It is also expected to receive more than US$ 2.25 billion for investments.

There will be a drastic impact on the businesses and commerce underway in the region and will also increase employment there, especially in contracts, engineering, service, maintenance, machinery, equipment etc. It will serve more than 3.5 million citizens. The project is being done by a consortium led by a Brazilian firm. 

Libra Oil Field

Libra Oil Field

The Libra Oil Field is expected to bring many benefits to Brazilian economy. It is a deep-water oil project, located in Santos Basin, about 230 kilometres from Rio de Janeiro. It is one of the largest oil field discovery in the recent times.  “The property is estimated to contain reserves ranging from 8 billion to 12 billion barrels of oil. President Rousseff has claimed that the project would generate 1 trillion Brazilian reals (about $460 billion) over the next 35 years, with almost 75 percent of that amount to be spent on health and education. She added that "85 percent of all the income to be produced in the Libra field will belong to the Brazilian state and Petrobras. This is very different [from] privatization.” (Ibtimes)

It is said that it is a very new model of privatizing where the Brazilian government would be getting $1 billion and would also be obtaining more than 60% of the oilfield’s output. It will also be a game-changer in the energy field as the market is now slowly moving towards Latin America, than the Middle East.

UHV Transmission Project

UHV Transmission Project

As China rapidly expands as a major economic power in the world, its residents and industries remain as power-hungry as ever. “China’s state-owned grid operators have planned massive investments into new transmission technology to generate more efficient electricity. The UHV Power Transmission Project will see the State Grid Corporation of China spend more than US$160 billion between 2013 and 2021 building eight ultra-high voltage transmission lines across the country. This new technology reduces the amount of electricity lost when transmitted over long distances, enabling power stations to be situated closer to coal resources and away from cities.” (KPMG)

Already there are 7 UHV lines in operation, the most in any country in the world, carrying 1,000,000 volts covering thousands of kilometres. This will also be an important initiative to reduce their carbon emissions. It will be also a way to integrate their other sources of energy such as solar, wind etc. and reduce their dependence on imported fuel. But not everything is successful & prosperous from outside. Such inter-connectivity can also lead to large-scale power disruptions.

Atlai Gas Pipeline

Altai Gas Pipeline

Extending from Western Siberia to North-West China, the proposed Altai Gas Pipeline will bring in much benefits in both countries. Expected to transmit 30 billion cubic metres per year, this pipeline covers 2,800 kilometres. Though it has some environmental concerns, the final boons of this project is expected to outweigh its banes.

This project also hangs a question mark on Pacific liquid natural gas (LNG) projects, and diversifies Russia’s export options at a time of strained relations with the US and European Union. The 30-year, US$400 billion deal will see state gas company Gazprom deliver Russian gas to China National Petroleum Corporation (KPMC).

Alaska LNG Project

Alaska LNG Project

“The Alaska LNG Project is a proposed $45 to $65 billion liquefied natural gas export project – it would be the largest single investment in Alaska history. The project has the potential to create between 9,000 and 15,000 jobs during the design and construction phases; plus approximately 1,000 jobs for continued operations. In addition to generating billions of dollars in revenue for Alaska, the project will provide access to natural gas for Alaskans.” (Ak-lng).

Pearl River Mega City

Pearl River Mega City

China has repeatedly created some of the world’s biggest infrastructural wonders in recent times(we have already discussed some in this blog). But, perhaps this project might eclipse each of them in sheer size & ambition. The Pearl River Mega City aims to combine 9 cities to create the world’s largest megacity, which would be home to 42 million, located in the fertile Pearl River delta(which is incidentally the world’s largest delta area in size & population).

“Over the next six years, around 150 major infrastructure projects will mesh the transport, energy, water and telecommunications networks of the nine cities together, at a cost of some 2 trillion yuan (£190 billion). An express rail line will also connect the hub with nearby Hong Kong.” (Telegraph)

The main advantage, I would say, from this project is the integration of basic amenities such as education, healthcare, transport, energy, water, communication etc. More jobs would be created and industries supported in this region. This is seen as an important initiative to remove the growing clout of Beijing and Shanghai as major economic centres. More than US $300 billion will be invested here.

New York Resiliency Plan

New York Resiliency Plan

New York, “The City That Never Sleeps”, is a dream city for many. Considered as one of the world’s greatest city, it definitely need a plan to protect it from environmental/natural disasters such as storms, rising sea levels and climate change.

The Resiliency Plan  puts forward initiatives to strengthen coastal defences, upgrade buildings and construction standards, protect infrastructure, such as the power grid and waste water system, and make vulnerable neighbourhoods safer. The plan includes 257 short, medium, and long-term initiatives.

The main aim of this project is “focused on resilience of buildings and power infrastructure during future coastal storms – the city will be able to prevent economic losses of more than US$ 22 billion by the 2050s, according to current estimates.” (c40.org)