Kandawgyi Aquarium under $15mn upgrade

The transformation budget will come from the Yangon Region government. The aquarium has 10,831 fresh water fish from 47 species on display. 

Since December 2012, the entrance fee of the aquarium has been increased from Ks 500 (about $0.52) to Ks 1,000 (about $1.04) for an adult, while the fee for a child is set at Ks 500. Foreigners are charged US$2 from Ks 1,000.

Before the entrance fee hikes, the aquarium was operating at a loss. After that, the aquarium has earned profit, according to Soe Min, minister of Agricultural and Livestock for Yangon Region.

Domestic and international contractors last year were invited to tender for the construction of the Kawdawgyi Aquarium to meet the international standard for underground and underwater fish museum. Five bidders showed up. Yu Yu Win from Kamayut proposed to lease the Kandawgyi Aquarium for Ks 120 million (about $125,000) per annum. Yin Tun Thet from Bahan offered to pay Ks 99.99 million (about $104,165), followed by Zeyar Thura Mon from Kamaryut for Ks 60 million (about $62,500) and Khin Thant Zin Win from Insein for Ks 30 million (about $31,250) and Pyae Sone Aung from Junction Square for Ks 25 million (about $26,041) respectively. 

With the best offer, Yu Yu Win won the bid. The transformation would be conducted under a 10-year lease starting from October 1, 2013. The lease can be renewed twice, for five years each. The teams from Singapore and Australia have finished the design and construction cost estimate, which would be submitted to Yangon City Development Committee and Department of Fisheries for further process, the minister said.

The local government receives only Ks 70 million (about $72,916) per annum in leasing Yangon Zoological Garden, which controls a bigger space.