The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) agreement will bring investments into Myanmar and create jobs but is expected to heighten competition for small enterprises, business people say. The RCEP, the world’s largest free trade agreement, was signed by Myanmar and 14 other Asia-Pacific countries on Sunday. It covers the 10 member states of the Association […]
New Asian trade deal leaves US on the sidelines
November 20, 2020 by
After US President Donald Trump in 2017 scrapped a Trans-Pacific trade deal assembled by the Obama administration and 11 other governments, countries from Vietnam to Australia paused to ponder whether a trade agreement would be worthwhile without the United States. After four years and two new trade agreements, the answer from Asia appears to be […]
Mekong countries welcome water sharing, construction assistance under LMC mechanism
September 18, 2020 by
Although the US has tried to provoke ASEAN countries against China, most officials and citizens in these countries are seemingly not willing to join the works. Daw Than Than Htay, a member of Myanmar Institute of Strategic and International Studies, told the Global Times that accusations against China are clearly coming from countries outside the […]
Most of Yangon Under Partial Lockdown as Myanmar’s COVID-19 Death Toll Rises to 14
September 11, 2020 by
YANGON—More than half of Myanmar’s commercial hub, Yangon, is now under stay-at-home orders after the government on Wednesday imposed a partial lockdown on 21 more townships in the region, which has become the epicenter of the country’s COVID-19 epidemic. As of Thursday morning, Yangon had 756 cases, overtaking the previous COVID-19 hotbed, Rakhine State, which […]
Japan firms shift focus to S.E. Asia due to U.S.-China rows: JETRO
August 27, 2020 by
A rising number of Japanese companies are expanding business in Southeast Asia and scaling down operations in China due to escalating tensions between Beijing and Washington, according to the Japan External Trade Organization. Citing a JETRO survey conducted late last year, the government-backed body said in an annual trade and investment report that 41 percent […]
Thai banks spread QR code in Asean
February 14, 2020 by
Thailand is set to kick off cross-border payment via QR code technology in Asean by mid-year, aiming to enhance financial transactions through the digital platform across the region. Digital payments between Thailand and Singapore and Cambodia are expected to begin in the middle of the year, said Siritida Panomwon Na Ayudhya, assistant governor for payment […]
Myanmar to Establish Credit Guarantee Corporation
February 6, 2020 by
Union Minister of Planning, Finance and Industry U Soe Win revealed during a January 22 meeting with local micro, small and medium enterprises that the ministry is working to form a credit guarantee corporation to help MSMEs get access to financial services. The ministry is working in collaboration with the Central Bank of Thailand to […]
Myanmar leads ASEAN on child rights and protection
January 15, 2020 by
Myanmar is the leading country in Southeast Asia in eliminating corporal punishment and child labour following the ratification of a minimum age obligation and passsage of a landmark legislation. In November, the parliament approved the ratification of the International Labour Organization’s Minimum Age Convention No 138. The 18-article convention seeks to abolish child labour and […]
Growth potential in agriculture restricted by quality, other issues
January 8, 2020 by
In Myanmar, agriculture contributes to a third of the country’s GDP, a quarter of its exports and creates the bulk of job opportunities. Yet, the sector’s true potential remains restricted by poor access to finance and technology, limited infrastructure, complex land tenure and quality issues as well as weak supply chains. Nevertheless, demand for products […]
A deep dive into growth projections
December 17, 2019 by
Despite rising costs, teething problems as a result of economic reforms and a slower flow of foreign capital into the country, government officials and institutions like the World Bank and International Monetary Fund have issued lofty growth forecasts for Myanmar in the year ahead. Among the most bullish of these institutions is the ASEAN+3 Macroeconomic […]
