Myanmar Construction Industry

and
Institutions

Engr. U Aung Myint

President , Federation of Myanmar Engineering Societies
Vice President, Myanmar Engineering Councils
04-07-2020
 Construction Industries Overview ( During British Colonial Period)
• Yangon is a city, built in the 18th century around the Mon fishing village of Dagon where the
Shwedagon Pagoda is located.
• In 1852, after the second Anglo-Burmese War, Yangon was fallen under the British’s control along
with southern Burma.
• On the south of old Yangon, the British built a port and a new city, which is now the heart of the
Capital.
• There were a lot of Colonial Buildings constructed during the British’s administrations some are
for the administrative activities and some are for the company operations.
• All such buildings were designed and built by the British technology and specifications as well as
their expert persons. There are over 30 Heritage Buildings around Yangon at this point of time &
All such buildings are mostly in operatable status and good conditions depends of maintenance
practices applied.
Construction Industries Overview (1948-1962)

• After Myanmar’s Independence in 1948, the Parliament Democracy Government still follow the
British’s Practices in the construction industry.
• The Public Works Department as well as Private Companies handled the construction projects in
Myanmar, by following the British’s Practices.
• Yangon Municipal took the responsibility for granting and controlling of Constructions in Private
sector and Housing Board from Public Works took the responsibility on projects for construction of
Buildings for the Government Staffs at various part of Yangon, as well as Mandalay.
• Public Works Department took the responsibility for Infrastructure Projects and Public Buildings.
• Follow strictly on the Design and Specifications during the construction process.
• Construction Projects were also given to Private Companies under Contracting, but with strict
control in Quality.
 Construction Industries Overview (1962-1988)

• During the Socialist Economy Era, there were no Private Companies allowed to participate in the
construction industry.

• All the Construction Projects were implemented by Ministry of Construction, Public Works & DHSHD.

• No development of Private Construction Industry during that period.

• However, Private Construction Activities started introducing by the late 1980s

Construction Industries Overview (1988-2012)

• Since after 1988, The Construction activities for Private Housings evolved drastically, in Yangon ,
Mandalay, etc.
• Private Construction Companies ( Contractors) evolved.
• Most of the Private Construction activities were done by such Private Construction Contractors.
• YCDC has permitted Licenses for Private Construction Contractors as well as Licensed Engineers for
Design and Construction Activities
• However, the Projects were implemented mostly by the decision of Owners (contractors)
• Weak (or no) in control in Construction process as well as Quality Control
• No or less appreciation on Engineering Knowledge and Practices.
• Building constructed during that period were now over 30 years life and started experiencing
problems ( Danger of Collapse)
 Construction Industries Overview (Current)
• Since after 2012, The Construction Permits were granted from YCDC Building Department only after
scrutinizing the details.
• Need to submit the detailed Engineering Calculations for the proposed Project for checking and approval
by YCDC.
• Based on the Type and Size of the Buildings, Engineering specifications as well as other documents such
as M&E details, Fire Safety, etc. are required to submit.
• Engineers from YCDC regularly check the construction process whether it is in accordance with the
approval or not.
• To ensure the quality of buildings, only the Engineers certified by Myanmar Engineering Council are
permitted to supervise the construction.
• After completion of the Construction, need Inspection from YCDC for the issuance of Building Completion
Certificate (BCC).
• Only after receiving BCC, Private buildings are allowed to use.
• Based on No. of Stories of the Construction project , different Approval Authorities, YCDC, HIC, HBPC
Building Construction Permit Application Procedure
§ Now, in metropolitan City areas such as Naypyitaw, Yangon and Mandalay City Development
Committee have their own Bylaws, guidelines and rules to follow. Most of them are for planning
and building construction permission requirements. Recently, YCDC has started to adopt
electronic submission “Yangon Building Permit Submission (YBPS)”

Building Review Process

• Low Risk: Residential, 2-3 Stories_ Drawings with seismic detailing, with RE endorsement
• Medium Risk : walk-up, 4 to 12 stories, mid-size condominiums, small public buildings-
Drawings with design calculations, with RSE/ PE endorsement, Fire code review required.
• High Risk : 13 stories and higher- Drawings with design calculations, with PE endorsement,
Fire code review required, CHPB design review required.
Construction Industries Overview (Current)

§ Public (Government) Construction Projects were done by Contracting.

§ Concerned Ministry/Departments called for Tender for the proposed buildings together with
the design details & Contractors participated in tendering with the estimates and plans as per
the provided design and specs.
§ Recently, government adopted third party inspection requirements for all government projects
except small and special projects. 2% of the project budget is reserved for third party
inspection. Therefore, quality driven technologies, quality and management systems are in
high demand now. Quality assurances, laboratory and supply chain management are also in
high demand.
Associations & Institutions related with Construction Industry

§ Federation of Myanmar Engineering Societies (Fed. MES)

§ Myanmar Engineering Council ( MEngC) (PE, RSE, RE)
§ Myanmar Architect Council (MAC) (SLA, LA, RA)
§ Association of Myanmar Architects (AMA)
§ Myanmar Construction Entrepreneurs Federation (MCEF)
§ Myanmar Licensed Contractors Federation(MLCF)
§ High-Rise and Public Building Projects Committee (HPBC)
Federation of Myanmar Engineering Societies
• Established since 1995 as Myanmar Engineering Society
• Restructured as Federation of Myanmar Engineering Societies on 19-01-2019.
• Non- Government, Non-Political Organization purely intended for the :-
• Development of Engineering Profession

• Development of Competitiveness

• Development of Human Resources

• Development of Capacity

• Development of Industrial & Infrastructure of the Nation

TDs, Committees & Societies at Fed. MES (related with Construction Industry)
§ Myanmar Society of Civil Engineers (MSCE)
§ Myanmar Society of Mechanical Engineers (MSME)
§ Myanmar Society of Welding Engineers (MSWE)
§ Myanmar Green Building Society (MGBS)
§ Building Engineering Institute (BEI)
§ Myanmar International Consulting Engineers Group (MICEG)
§ Myanmar Earthquake Committee
§ Industrial & Construction Safety Committee
§ Special Projects Committee
§ Civil & Structural Technical Division
§ Water Supply & Sanitation Technical Division
§ Geotechnical Technical Division
§ Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Technical Division
Myanmar Engineering Council (MEngC)

Established in 2013 under Pyihtaungsu Hluttaw Act. No. 23/2013 dated 28/11/2013

§ Vision
• Our future success driven by qualified Myanmar engineers, graduate technicians and
technicians.

§ Mission
• To become Myanmar engineers and technicians who can satisfactorily fulfil the needs of
international standard and quality in their engineering professions.
Objectives of MEngC
a) to uphold and upgrade the dignity, ethics and quality of the Myanmar citizen engineers,
graduate technicians and technicians who are practicing engineering works;
b) to explore using engineering technology and information technology combined the good
methods, research and development activities by which the natural resources and human
resources of the State may be beneficially applied with least impact on environment;
c) to carry out guidance and supervision, and to take necessary actions for fulfilment of the
requirements of stipulated technical standard, proper method, free from danger, keeping
ethic and being dutiful in the fields of engineering and technology education, researches and
services;
d) to service engineering and technology related functions and duties beneficial for the State
assigned by the relevant Ministry and relevant organizations;
Quality Policy of MEngC
§ to enhance the systematic registration by using best practices and standards regionally and
internationally;
§ to build the mutually reliable relationship with stakeholders and interested parties through
providing their needs and expectations complied with law, rules and regulations;
§ to drive continual improvement of quality assurance on engineering education and create the
opportunities of engineering professional development programs for the benefit of the State

Types and No of Engineering Licenses (April 2020)

Ø Registered Engineer (RE) - 7937
Ø Registered Senior Engineer (RSE) - 3705
Ø Professional Engineer (PE) - 1116
Total - 12758
Strength of Engineers Certified from MEngC
Sr. Specialized area ( Construction Industry Related) PE RSE RE Total
1 Civil - Construction 279 2,595 4,443 7,317
2 Civil - Structural 63 63 449 575
3 Civil - Construction (Bridge) 27 1 7 35
4 Civil - Construction (QS) 1 65 8 74
5 Civil - Construction (Road) 40 1 121 162
6 Civil - Construction (Road & Bridge) 2 6 8
7 Civil - Geotechnical 22 10 37 69
8 Civil - Water Resources 72 31 103
9 Civil - Water Supply & Sanitation 16 58 20 94
10 Electrical- BS 64 298 815 1,177
11 Mech- BS 51 92 346 489
12 Mech HVAC 15 26 41
Total Certified Engineers in Construction Industry 652 3,215 6,277 10,144
Source ; MEngC
 Architect Population in Myanmar
1920 1 (first Myanmar Architect)
1948 6 (Past Independence architects)
1962 28 (Architects graduated from BOC College)
1979 224 Architecture Silver Jubilee
2004 804 Architecture Golden Jubilee
2020 2200+

As of Feb 2020
RA Registered Architect 1058
LA Licensed Architect 477
SLA Senior Licensed Architect 237
Total 1771

Source ; MAC
 Yangon City Development Committee (YCDC)
Licensed Engineers (31.3.2018)
1 Senior License Engineer (LS) 2,555

2 Junior License Engineer (JLS) 1,066

3,621

3 Structure Engineer Certificate (SEC) 246

4 Accredited Checker (AC) 24

270 Source ; YCDC

Note: Starting from 1.4.2018 only the engineers certified by MEngC are allowed.
List of Buildings permitted by YCDC
YEAR Under 3 storeyed 4 to 8 storeyed Above 9 storeyed Total
2015 3240 3384 33 6657
2016 2321 1381 35 3737
2017 3118 800 45 3963
2018 3268 932 25 4225
2019 3904 752 17 4673
2020 (up to April) 1407 247 6 1660

Source ; YCDC
Myanmar National Building Code (MNBC)
§ The Exercise for Setting up Myanmar National Building Code (MNBC) had been initiated since 2011
by MES along with Ministry of Construction with the support from UN Habitat.
§ The MNBC First draft had been completed since 2012 and now under updating process to meet the
recent technology updates as well as covering all necessary aspects of building works such as
Electrical Works, Fire safety
§ It has been drawn up to ensure compliance with the best practices of the International Building
Code, the American Society of Civil Engineers, and British and Indian standards, in order not to
reinventing the wheel.
§ The Myanmar code has taken account of international norms and then adapted them to fit the
geography of the country, as well as the building materials available to us and the hazards that are
specific to Myanmar
§ MNBC 2016 revision is currently in use and 2020 version will be out soon.
Conclusion
· There were partial collapse of some buildings during May and June of this year at some part of
Yangon. Those buildings were constructed during the early period of contract housing era in early
1990s. At that time, control of regulations were very weak, and contractors used the license
engineers for Chopping their signatures on the drawings during permit process only and contractors
themselves manage or supervise the construction process without acknowledging the knowledge
and capabilities of Engineers. YCDC also couldn’t strict on the regulations due to the weak
administration system.
· Myanmar Construction Entrepreneurs Association have been established in 1996 with the aim to
control the quality and systems of the construction works. The MCEA is successfully implementing
their tasks since then.
· Myanmar Licensed Contractors Association was established in 2016 with the similar drives.
· At this point of time, the concerned authorities check the design calculations at step by steps. Buildings
over 12 stories and above follows the guidelines from HPBC ( High-Rise and Public Building Projects
Committee), not only in design stage, but also thorough out the Construction Process.
· Buildings up to 8 ½ stories were checked and approved by YCDC (in case of Yangon), 9 to 12 stories
building need approval from HIC, then over 12 stories need to go to HPBC.
· However, if we compare with other developing countries, Myanmar’s Construction sector is still lagging
and we need to improve our systems. Need to promulgate Building Control Acts and Regulations.
· Understand that Ministry of Construction is drafting the Rules for the Development of Construction
Industry, which needs to go step by step with the proper judgment and decision to move on the right
path.
· For achieving Improvement in the Industry, the collective participations all stakeholders such as Authority,
Professional, Clients, Inspectors, Contractors, Sub-contractor, Suppliers etc. is vital important .
· Cooperation between Authority, Institutions and Associations seems very important for the changes.