Town Gyi Central Market, Unrebuilt for Over 12 Years Since Fire, May Be Reconstructed Around 2029-2030 Fiscal Year Depending on Funding

Regarding the Town Gyi Central Market, which has not been rebuilt for over 12 years since it was destroyed by fire, there are currently no concrete plans for its reconstruction, and it is expected that the project may be undertaken around the 2029-2030 fiscal year, depending on the availability of funds. This was stated by U Naing Lin Swe (aka U Htun Htun U), the Minister of the Bago Region Directorate of Departmental Affairs, during the fourth day of the third regular session of the third Bago Region Hluttaw, held on September 25. U Than Soe, the Region Hluttaw representative for constituency No. 1 of Town Gyi Township, had questioned in the Bago Region Hluttaw whether there were plans to rebuild the Town Gyi Central Market, which has been left unrebuilt for a long time after the fire, and if so, in which fiscal year it would be implemented, and if not, what the reasons were. The Town Gyi Central Market caught fire and was destroyed on February 13, 2014, resulting in the loss of over 1,230 shops. The Hluttaw representative stated in his question that after the fire, the market compound remained overgrown with weeds, and he urged for the swift implementation of the project, which is currently designated as a special district by the President. In response to U Than Soe's question, U Naing Lin Swe (aka U Htun Htun U), the Minister of the Bago Region Directorate of Departmental Affairs, explained that out of the 1,230 shops damaged in the fire at the Town Gyi Central Market, 17 shops in Building B have been rebuilt by their owners at their own expense, leaving 1,213 shops to be rebuilt. He further stated that there are currently no plans to rebuild the remaining 1,213 shops, and that reconstruction will be carried out on the land to be acquired under the new city development plan, depending on the availability of funds. In response to this explanation, Hluttaw representative U Than Soe requested a more specific fiscal year than the vague term "appropriate fiscal year," stating that it would satisfy the voters if a more precise timeframe was provided, and that he wished to know when the project would commence. In response to U Than Soe's further inquiry, the Region Minister clarified that the term "appropriate fiscal year" was used because the regional government has funds for regional development and natural disaster prevention, and if funds were unavailable, they would appeal to the head of the government to secure funding for use. He also stated that according to the planned budget, the project is already scheduled until the upcoming 2027-2028 fiscal year, and the earliest possible implementation would be around the 2029-2030 fiscal year, emphasizing that implementation is primarily dependent on securing funds. The Town Gyi Central Market caught fire around 6:00 PM on February 13, 2014, resulting in the loss of over 1,200 shops owned by 817 shopkeepers, with damages exceeding 64 billion kyats. About a week after the fire, a temporary Town Gyi Central Market with over 660 shops was relocated and built within the Town Gyi Myidar Sports Ground. However, due to low sales, very few shopkeepers opened their businesses there. Currently, that temporary market has also been dismantled, and there is no longer a temporary central market. ■ Photo Caption: The Town Gyi Central Market, which suffered fire damage on February 13, 2014.