Myanmar's junta awarded road construction contracts to six private business groups with close ties to the military.
Construction minister Khin Maung presided over a signing ceremony for contracts with private firms Asia World, Shwe Thanlwin, Firm Destination Construction, Hilly Regions Construction, Shwetaung and Myatnoethu, the New Light of Myanmar reported Tuesday.
Asia World, which won a contract to build a 182-kilometre highway between Yangon and Pathein, is run by Steven Law, son of former drug lord Lo Hieng Han who is on a 2008 US government list of Myanmar businesspeople targeted by sanctions.
Asia World is Myanmar's biggest, most diversified conglomerate. It has won contracts to build highways in the Shan State and to renovate and operate Yangon International Airport.
Myanmar's junta has in recent months been selling public assets and handing out lucrative infrastructure contracts to private firms in what observers say is a lead-up to the general election planned some time this year.
The election is expected to see many military men change their uniforms for business suits as they contest the polls.
http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/news/336627,hands-road-contracts-cronies.html
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