The 43 companies entrusted with the reconstruction work include such regime-friendly enterprises as the Asia World Company, Htoo Trading, the Eden Group, Max Myanmar and Shwe Thanlwin.
The Asia World Company will undertake reconstruction work in Kungyungone Township under the direction of Brig-Gen Hlun Thi, local sources say.
Asia World is the country’s biggest construction enterprise, run by Tun Myint Naing, also known as Steven Law, one of the Burmese businessmen on a US sanctions list because of his suspected links with drugs trafficking.
Htoo Trading is owned by another businessman on the sanctions list—Tay Za. His company will rebuild destroyed houses, government buildings and schools in the devastated Irrawaddy delta region. The work in the Bogalay Township will be overseen by Forestry Minister Brig-Gen Thein Aung.
The Eden Group will undertake reconstruction work in Dedaye Township.
Business sources say Shwe Thanlwin and the First Myanmar Investment Company have received contracts to reconstruct military buildings at the Burmese naval base in Hinegyigyun.
Ayear Shwe Wah, Max Myanmar and Wah Wah Win have started reconstruction projects in Laputta Township.
Ayer Shwe Wah was established by Aung Thet Mann, son of junta member Gen Thura Shwe Mann, who has been accused of using his position to win contracts for War Office work in the capital, Naypyidaw.
Aid workers from Laputta Township allege that the Ayear Shwe Wah company is pressing cyclone survivors to work on reconstruction projects for 800 kyat (70 US Cents) a day.
Other companies which have received contracts for post-cyclone work include the Naing Group Construction Company, Phwint Phyo Aung Construction Company, Shine Construction Company, Tet Lann Group, Universal Construction Group, A1 Construction Company, ASPIDIN Construction Company, Chan Tha Construction, Ah Yone Oo Construction Company and Yuzana Construction Group.
Burmese Prime Minister Gen Thein Sein said on Thursday that the first phase of bringing relief to the victims of the cyclone had been completed and the second phase, reconstruction, was now beginning.