31 Oct Special Report: Myanmar’s Opening – A Critical Juncture
Since 2011, the international community has applauded Myanmar’s political opening. Foreign businesses have been attracted to “Asia’s final frontier” and not without reason, as the country opened up for investment. The economy has grown strongly, albeit from a low base. Three-plus years on, however, and there are reasons to see the country at an important, indeed, critical juncture in this opening. Signs are there in both political and business arenas, and 2014-15 may well prove to be a critical period.
This Special Report was produced by the Singapore Institute of International Affairs (SIIA) to offer our insights into the political and economic opening of Myanmar. The SIIA was appointed in 2014 to advise on Myanmar’s ASEAN Chairmanship, and made four research trips to Myanmar from January to June 2014. These visits included meetings with more than 20 high-level individuals from the public and private sectors, and workshops in Yangon and Nay Pyi Taw for officials and experts. The SIIA also organised a business and investment conference with the support of the Union of Myanmar Federation of Chambers of Commerce & Industry (UMFCCI) and two advisory firms, KPMG and Wong Partnership, for some 130 private sector
participants from Singapore and Myanmar.