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 […]
In Myanmar, the AIIB Could Buttress China’s ‘One Belt, One Road’ Framework
August 23, 2016 by
The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank could come to play a greater role in Myanmar. Is the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) just another vehicle for spreading Chinese geoeconomic primacy throughout the Asia-Pacific? Earlier this year, reflecting on the bank’s first projects, I argued that such fears were overwrought. The AIIB, with modest partnership-based undertakings along with […]
China says still trying to resolve stalled Myanmar dam scheme
March 10, 2016 by
China is pursuing efforts to resolve the problem of a stalled dam project in Myanmar, its foreign minister said on Tuesday, adding that Beijing had confidence in the incoming government of democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi’s party. BEIJING: China is pursuing efforts to resolve the problem of a stalled dam project in Myanmar, its […]
Aung san suu kyis party rebuts fake Myanmar president release
March 9, 2016 by
YANGON (AFP) – Aung San Suu Kyi’s pro-democracy party on Monday (March 7) denounced as “fake” a widely circulated letter purporting to reveal its choice of proxy Myanmar president, as speculation over who will take the role reaches fever pitch. Suu Kyi and her National League for Democracy (NLD) have kept a tight lid on […]
Myanmar admits more foreign banks ahead of NLD accession
March 8, 2016 by
BANGKOK — Myanmar has given preliminary operating licenses to four more foreign banks, following the government’s decision in late 2014 to grant licenses to an initial nine foreign banks. The move — just before a new administration led by Aung San Suu Kyi takes over on April 1 — highlights a rush by the incumbent […]
Myanmar military to maintain political role, president says
March 23, 2015 by
Myanmar’s military will maintain its role in politics in order to support a transition to democracy but will eventually submit to civilian rule, President Thein Sein said in an interview broadcast on Friday. YANGON: Myanmar’s military will maintain its role in politics in order to support a transition to democracy but will eventually submit to […]
Myanmar president hosts rare Suu Kyi talks amid constitution debate
March 6, 2015 by
YANGON: Myanmar President Thein Sein had a rare meeting on Monday (Mar 2) with opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi to discuss constitutional changes and the first election under the country’s new democratic system, a minister said. It was the fifth round of talks between the two since the Nobel laureate’s release from house arrest […]
Myanmar Needs ‘Responsible Investments’ to Develop, Suu Kyi Says
September 23, 2013 by
Myanmar needs “responsible investment” of foreign capital as it seeks to accelerate economic development, opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi said. The country also needs to improve its rule of law and democratic reforms must take place soon, not by 2015 when general elections will be held, Suu Kyi said at a conference in Singapore […]
