In business, a strong reputation is rarely guaranteed. Goodwill matters greatly, and must be defended to ensure an organization’s continued success. The same is true for nation-states. Stature is essential in procuring trade, investment, and broader support for one’s economy. Unfortunately for Myanmar, its brand is suffering. Almost five years after international newspapers adorned their […]
Myanmar ‘Has No Fourth Estate’, Mandalay Chief Minister Says of Media’s Role
MANDALAY—In an apparent snub to Myanmar’s media, the chief minister of Mandalay Region said on Friday that he only knew of three pillars of democracy—the legislature, the administrative branch and the judiciary—prompting criticism from the country’s media organizations. The news media are often collectively referred to as the “Fourth Estate” for their critical role in […]
Analysis: Yangon Public Losing Patience With Mercurial Chief Minister
Of Myanmar’s 14 state and regional chief ministers, few have seen such highs and lows in terms of their public approval as Yangon’s U Phyo Min Thein. In 2016, the country’s biggest nationalist group, Ma Ba Tha, threatened to target him with a nationwide protest after he vowed to wipe the group out. In response, […]
China hardsells big ticket but low on trust, India’s soft power push in Myanmar education and health
As Delhi seeks to expand its engagement with Myanmar, it is in sectors such as education, health and entertainment services that India hopes to make an impact in a country crowded with several international players, and completely dominated by China. In a state-of-the art classroom at the steel and glass Myanmar Institute of Information Technology […]
Myanmar inches slightly ahead of Laos in latest graft index
Myanmar has inched up a few positions to rank 130th in the latest annual index of countries deemed the least corrupt, from 136th in 2016. The country attained a score of 28 in graft watchdog Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index for 2017. This was an incremental improvement compared to its score in 2016 (28) and […]