The Secretary of State for Scotland David Mundell visited Myanmar on April 3-5 to promote and discuss developments of UK-supported projects in offshore oil and gas sector.
The projects were initiated back in September 2015 when U Pe Zin Tun, as permanent secretary of the Ministry of Energy, led a delegation to Aberdeen.
With the support of the British embassy and the UK government’s Prosperity Fund, two companies, Aberdeen International Associates (AIA) and AGR, have worked with Myanmar businesses, such as the state-owned Myanmar Oil and Gas Enterprise (MOGE), to identify and develop their capacity, including the need for international certification to allow them to tender for contracts from international firms.
Myanmar’s energy sector is expected to attract a flurry of investment activities. International businesses have come in and collaborated with Myanmar companies to probe the country’s potentially gas-rich waters.
On March 30, UK company James Fisher and Sons and Myanmar firm Royal Marine Technology signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU). James Fisher and Sons will provide container ships and submarines, construction equipment, as well as maintenance machinery and apparatus. It will also offer technical expertise and educate local engineer graduates. U Myint Aung, managing director of Royal Marine Technology, said that the offshore services are going to expand in the country soon.
According to the press release from British embassy, the training needs for Myanmar’s energy sector are across a wide area but it is particularly important to implement quality management systems.
International firms in the oil and gas sector, such as AIA, have indicated a desire to engage in the local supply chain, which is still in the early stages of its development. They are also eager to take part in areas such as domestic manufacturing and distributing and to maximise the employment of local labour force.
“As most of Myanmar resources are located in deep water, internationally recognised North Sea Scottish energy explorers can utilise their expertise in Myanmar’s deep waters,” Mr Mundell said, adding that he expected more Scottish companies to join the sector in Myanmar.
Source: Myanmar Times
