“The regional government has planned to upgrade markets under YCDC that will use a PPP system rather than the government’s budget. There are 21 markets which will be prioritised for the upgrade,” he said on April 25.

Among the areas affected are the Theingyi Zay market in Pabedan township, Kyeemyingdaing market in Kyeemyindaing and San Pya market in Mingalar Taung Nyunt township.

“Currently, the Theingyi Zay market is not crowded anymore although it is situated in the downtown area. This market has had a good standard but ... escalators and elevators are no longer functioning,” said Daw Soe Pa Pa Hlaing, MP from Pabedan township.

Moreover, Kyeemyindaing night market’s repair plan started in the 2015-16 financial year but it has not completed yet. U Khin Win, Kyeemyindaing township’s MP, asked parliament for the administration’s plan for the market’s future.   

“There was a K1115 million budget for the night market but the market [repair] did not get completed. There are still six two-storey buildings and four one-storey buildings to build, and a fence for electricity,” said MP U Khin Win. 

However, minister U Myint Thaung said that the government put a halt to the repair work because they will soon upgrade it.

The government called for tenders to repair the San Pya night market in February 2016 but the government had not chosen any companies until recently. The infrastructure of the market is deteriorating and in dire need of repair, according to U Yan Aung, Mingalar Taung Nyunt township’s MP.

“We have already added that market on the list of priority upgrading so it would be repaired and fixed soon,” said U Myint Thaung.

The government will put up a building design competition organised by the Myanmar Architecture Association. After choosing the design, they will call for tenders to construct the upgrades.

“We will start the design competition very soon,” said U Myint Thaung.