The handover ceremony of 22 DMU (Diesel Multiple Units) Trains was held at the Yangon Central Station on 28th of September, 2015. Some of those trains (KIHA 40 and KIHA 48) were donated by the East Japan Railway Company (JR East) for “The Project for Strengthening Rail Transportation of Yangon Circular Line” under Japan`s Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP) scheme and made a test run between Yangon, Kyi Myin Dying and Bago stations.

The ceremony was attended by H.E. Mr. Tateshi HIGUCHI, Ambassador of Japan to Myanmar, Mr. Takao NISHIYAMA, Executive Director for Overseas Related Affairs of the East Japan Railway Company, H.E. U Nyan Htun Aung, Union Minister for Rail Transportation, U Myint Thein, Deputy Union Minister for Rail Transportation, H.E. U Hla Myint, Mayor of Yangon, H.E. U Aung Khin, Minister for Transport of Yangon Region, U Thurein Win, Managing Director of the Myanma Railways (MR), Ministry of Rail Transportation and local residents.

At the ceremony, H.E. U Nyan Htun Aung expressed his appreciation to Japan's assistance and stated “ The modernization of railway system in Myanmar has lagged behind while the country's economy is expected to grow drastically. We need to upgrade the existing transportation system for the nation to meet the needs of mass logistics and transportation. ”

Following the speech, H.E. Ambassador HIGUCHI shared his view and stated “Both Japan and Myanmar have circular lines in urban areas, which is unequaled anywhere in the world. According to the survey conducted by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), approximately only 1 % of residents in Yangon use railways on a daily basis, while 60 % of residents in Tokyo do so. To reduce the current serious traffic jam, increasing the use of railways is crucial for the future development of Myanmar. Japan will continue to assist the development of the railway system in Myanmar.”

The Government of Japan, through the GGP scheme, provided US$749,926 for the above project by covering the shipping cost of trains and technical training on maintenance. Japan also provided assistance worth approximately US$ 1 million through Debt Relief Grant (DRG) to purchase DMU by the JR Central.The Government of Japan is planning to continue various assistances in the future, and anticipates that it will further strengthen the existing relations between Japan and Myanmar.

Japan and Myanmar flags painted on the train by Myanma Railways(MR)	Guests invited to the ceremony including H.E.Mr. Tateshi Higuchi, Ambassador to Myanmar H.E. U Nyan Htun Aung, Union Minister for Rail Transportation	Japan`s ODA logo inside the donated train	The donated train made a first run