This seminar was held with a subsidy from the Nippon Foundation
PREFACE
Despite the rapid progress in road transportation and the development of air transport networks in the world, railways continue to play a major role to a greater or lesser extent, depending on the country.
Railway modernization is underway or being planned in many countries to take advantage of such characteristics as reliable service, large transport capacity, high speed, high safety, economic energy utilization, and freedom from road congestion and air pollution.
The government of Myanmar regards the development and improvement of the country's railway system as one of the most important policies to speed economic development and improve the quality of the people's life. In spite of Myanma Railways' efforts, the existing railway facilities are not in good condition because of insufficient funding in past years, and their rehabilitation and modernization are now urgently needed.
With these points in mind, we have chosen the following topics for our presentation:
1. Improvement of Management and Japanese Experience of Privatization
2. Modernization and Maintenance of Rolling Stock
3. Modernization and Maintenance of Track and Structure
4. Improvement of Train Operation Duties
5. Modernization and Maintenance of Signals and Telecommunications
In addition, Myanmar Railway experts are presenting the following papers:
1. Existing Situations and Problems of Railway Transport in Myanmar
2. Development Plan of Railway Transport in Myanmar
We thank all participants for sparing the time to participate in this seminar, and express our warm appreciation for the assistance extended to us by Ministry of Rail Transportation, Myanma Railways and all other organizations in Myanmar that have helped us. We gratefully acknowledge the efforts made by Ministry of Transport of Japan and Japan Freight Railway Company in the preparation of this seminar.
