The Government of Japan, under its Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP) Scheme, has granted US$ 301,041 for the Project for Upgrading of Road between Yae Lay Ka Lay Village and Ma Laung Village in Maubin Township, Ayeyarwady Region.

The handover ceremony of the road took place on 22 March 2019. Ms. Ayano Suzuki, Third Secretary of the Embassy of Japan, Daw Ei Ei Pyone, Amyotha Hluttaw elected representative for Constituency No.8, Ayeyarwady Region, U Zaw Moe, Ayeyarwady Region Hluttaw elected representative for Maubin Constituency No.1, committee chairperson, committee members of the construction project and local residents attended the event.

The residents of this region are mostly agricultural day laborers and the road has been widely used by residents for commuting, transporting emergency patients, and shipping agricultural crops. However, the road became impassable during rainy season which caused challenges among the residents for accessing facilities such as schools and hospitals. Additionally, the impassable road caused delays in transporting agricultural goods that affected the income of farmers. In order to tackle this issue, the Government of Japan has provided funding for upgrading the 6.2 kilometer-long road, building one reinforced concrete bridge and four pipe culverts. The project is expected to benefit 5,663 local residents among 10 surrounding villages in this region.

The Government of Japan has assisted 904 grass-roots projects in Myanmar under the GGP scheme since 1993, including 467 education projects, 200 healthcare projects, 140 public welfare and environment projects, 61 infrastructure projects and 36 others. This assistance is expected to further strengthen the existing friendly relations between Japan and Myanmar.