Private companies are invited to submit EOI (expression of interest) proposals for rights to the water supply in Yangon city under PPP (public private partnership) system, according to a statement released by Yangon City Development Committee on August 27. 

The statement said local and foreign companies or joint-venture companies are invited to submit EOI for zone-wise water distributing under the master plan. 

Forms for EOI can be bought from the office of water availability and supply team on the new 12-story building of YCDC as of August 28 during office hours. 

Enveloped EOI proposals must be sent in person to the office not later than 3 pm on October 28. Those companies meeting the set qualifications will be chosen for tender. 

During a press conference held at YCDC August 19, Yangon Mayor Maung Maung Soe said plans to hand over water supply projects in Yangon city to the private sector came due to illegal water pipe connections and loss and waste. 

He said YCDC could maintain only 50 percent or 60 percent and about half of the water supply was losing. He said handing over to the private sector was not the reason to increase prices. 

According to the press conference, the government is making a losing as only K88 is charged for one unit of water.