Myanmar’s tourism sector performed strongly in the first half of 2017; however, concerns over internal conflict have raised questions over investment and visitor numbers in the near future. While arrivals figures for the period January-August have yet to be consolidated, data from the Ministry of Hotels and Tourism (MoHT) indicates that between 2.2m and 2.8m foreign tourists visited Myanmar in…
On acceleratinginfrastructure development in the region What do you think is driving the growing infrastructure gaps throughout emerging and developing economies in Asia? LEE: The three main driving forces are demographics, economics and politics, which are interdependent. If you look at demographics, you can see a lot of similarities between parts of Asia and Africa, where there is also…
Proposals to encourage investment in Myanmar’s inland waterways could help ease road congestion, as well as provide a cost-efficient route to economic development. In July the government announced plans to begin consultations with regional authorities to develop six inland maritime port terminals – four on the Ayeyarwaddy River and two on the Chindwin River. The Ayeyarwaddy ports will be built…
On the fiscal and current account deficits and tax initiatives How do you evaluate the economic policies of the National League for Democracy (NLD)? TURNELL: The NLD’s first year in power addressed Myanmar’s macroeconomic imbalances, particularly the country’s fiscal deficit, which is expected to hit 4.8% of GDP by the end of 2017. The objective is to ensure the deficit does not…
A projected housing shortage in Myanmar is driving the construction of affordable units in Yangon, with the government looking to assist development through new partnerships, project funding, legislative change and mortgage market support. In August the Myanmar Construction Entrepreneurs Association signed a memorandum of understanding with Singaporean engineering consulting agency Surbana Jurong…
Construction, Power & Mining Myanmar 2017 includes three international trade exhibitions, Building & Construction Myanmar 2017, Electric Power & Renewable Energy Myanmar 2017 and Mining Myanmar 2017. These three exhibitions link very well together as exhibitors have products and services that offer solutions for multiple industries, and visitors have multiple industry needs that can be…
This year we have added more variety as dental and surgery, as well as including the beauty and wellness industry. This is an opportunity not to be missed for those involved and interested in the medical field. Highlight Events Pharmaceutical Seminars Medical Technology Seminars International Healthcare Conference Hospital Construction Technology Seminars Business to Business (B2B) Section Free…
Higher state spending and moves to liberalise investment laws should further boost foreign investment in Myanmar’s health care sector, as the country pushes to implement its first development plan for the industry. Arguably the biggest external boost to health care in Myanmar in recent months came with the announcement in June that the World Bank would be extending its Country Partnership Framework…
Interview: Le Luong Minh Where can the EU and the US offer more support? LE LUONG MINH: Significant progress has been made in ASEAN-US Dialogue Relations, particularly with the elevation of our alliance to a strategic partnership in November 2015 and the successful convening of the ASEAN-US special leaders’ summit in California in 2016. Besides these milestones, good progress has also been made…
A combination of market reform and a rebound in foreign investment is expected to underpin stronger growth in Myanmar’s economy this year and into 2018. The process of opening up the economy to private sector and overseas involvement took a key step forward in mid-June, with the Ministry of Commerce announcing further liberalisation of trade and import regulations. Under the new rules issued…
