Publication Store

Myanmar is finally opening its doors to the rest of the world. A few months ago, the military-led government pushed political and economic reforms, attracting the attention of potential investors worldwide.

What will happen in the future is unclear, but the current president, Thein Sein (who could step down in 2015), is an advocate of opening and reforming the economy, so it seems there is finally a light at the end of the tunnel. Apparently, the 67-year-old general’s relationship with Madame Aung San Suu Kyi (making headlines around the globe for her most recent political success following two decades of imprisonment and house arrest) is rather good and there is good chemistry in place, giving us reason to believe that the country will not regress back towards its old economic patterns. How to manage the relationship between the military and other parties will be of paramount importance and many stumbling blocks still lie ahead.

This guide was written by Dezan Shira & Associates Managing Partner Alberto Vettoretti. Alberto recently spent several weeks in Myanmar and this report is a product of his on-the-ground experience in the country meeting with government officials, visiting factories, and discussing investment opportunities with other businessmen in the country.

Included in this issue

• Myanmar’s recent economic history
• Economy
• Geographical and logistical advantage
• Natural resource and imports of strategic goods
• Real estate
• Stock market
• Infrastructure
• Currency
• A "love-hate" relationship with China
• Labor costs and salaries
• Foreign direct investment
• Forms of investment, tax incentives and restrictions
• Investment opportunities
• What could go wrong?