The construction work for Yangon Elevated Expressway project phase-1 will start only after a concession agreement has been signed, deputy director general Kyi Zaw Myint from the Ministry of Construction told the Daily Eleven.

The ministry invited interested companies to submit prequalification applications for YEX Project Phase-1, not later than November 13.

YEX Project Phase-1 will be jointly implemented by the Ministry of Construction and the Yangon Region government under a public private partnership (PPP) programme.

The ministry received 12 prequalification applications from potential investors.

Currently, 10 companies have been shortlisted. They are mostly Chinese companies while some are from France, Korea, Japan, Thailand and Myanmar.

The elevated expressway connects downtown Yangon, Yangon port, Yangon International Airport, Mingladon Industrial Park and Yangon-Mandalay Expressway. The aim of the project is to ease traffic congestion in Yangon city.