Much has been said about the National League for Democracy (NLD)-led elected government’s stance on peace and security in recent weeks, with attention being drawn to the conflicts in Rakhine state and the actions of Myanmar’s de facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi. Within the country there is concern, however, over the state of the […]
Myanmar’s New Struggle: Keeping Foreign Investors Happy
March 21, 2017 by
A pariah state for decades, Myanmar’s recent emergence from economic isolation has attracted foreign companies and investors intrigued by the Southeast Asian nation’s untapped potential, abundant natural resources and low wage workforce. The first U.S. fast food restaurant, KFC, opened in 2015 and other assorted Western and Asian brands have popped up across the nation’s […]
Australia’s business know how could boost Myanmar
December 4, 2015 by
AUSTRALIA’S expertise in agriculture, mining and education is seen playing a key role in Myanmar once Aung San Suu Kyi’s National League Democracy (NLD) takes power next year. MACQUARIE University academic Sean Turnell, an informal advisor to the NLD leadership, says agricultural reform will be a key priority once the government takes power early next […]
Myanmar central bank allays currency fears
October 23, 2015 by
Amid widespread anxiety over the impact of the Central Bank’s decision to revoke thousands of US dollar accepter and holder licences, a senior official has promised authorities have no plans to return to old ways. For many years – until 2011, when six commercial banks opened money changers – no ordinary citizen of Myanmar was […]
Myanmar to Curb Some Investor Incentives, Presidential Aide Says
October 7, 2015 by
Myanmar’s parliament is likely to meet before the end of the year to approve legislation that would scale back a number of foreign-investment incentives the government now deems excessive, President Thein Sein’s top economic adviser said. Parliament, which is in recess as lawmakers campaign for Nov. 8 elections, will probably reconvene by early December, Aung […]
Chinese stampede upsets markets
December 2, 2014 by
Billions of dollars from opaque sources in China may be flowing into Myanmar each year, causing excessive volatility in areas such as the local real estate market, according to experts. Flows have increased recently as Chinese political and business leaders respond to efforts to curb corruption, causing many to look abroad to store their ill-gotten […]
Kyaukphyu SEZ ‘Key’ to China Business Corridor, But Doubts Remain
September 22, 2014 by
Kyaukphyu port on Myanmar’s western coast could play a key role in a Beijing-led economic corridor plan linking neighbors India, Bangladesh and China. But economists and foreign policy analysts are divided over whether the Naypyidaw government’s ambitions for a special economic zone (SEZ) around Kyaukphyu in Rakhine State are viable. The so-called BCIM Corridor, for […]
Negotiating the new road to Mandalay
August 26, 2014 by
In the next few weeks Myanmar is expected to ask an Australian team to review its newly legislated mining law. It will involve an unusual level of foreign consultation on an important economic reform. The plan to draw on Australian expertise to help draft the regulatory framework for one of the resource-rich country’s main industries […]
ANZ faces Myanmar bank hurdles
July 8, 2014 by
THE ANZ Banking Group is bidding for a banking licence in Myanmar but faces major challenges in doing so. UP to 40 institutions are lining up to open offices in the country, even as the central bank is set to impose tough operational restrictions. Myanmar is undergoing major economic reforms and liberalisation in the process […]
