11 May 2013
Oxford Business Group signs Memorandum of Understanding with the Myanmar Investment Commission for first-time publication.
Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) interest generated by Myanmar’s liberalisation efforts will be examined in detail in a a landmark report to be published by the global publishing, research and consultancy firm Oxford Business Group (OBG).
The Report: Myanmar 2014 will map out the progress the country has made in opening up economically and politically as it prepares to assume the role of ASEAN chair for the first time next year. There will be in-depth coverage of the latest developments at the Thilawa Special Economic Zone (SEZ), which is expected to become the largest industrial complex in South East Asia and set the tone for the country’s new economic model. The publication will also explore the challenges the country faces in opening up to the global economy, led by a lack of both infrastructure and human capital.
OBG has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on research facilities with the Myanmar Investment Commission (MIC) in preparation for the Group’s first-time project. Under the MOU, OBG will have access to the commission’s expertise and research resources which will be used to compile The Report: Myanmar 2014.
OBG’s Regional Editor for Asia Paulius Kuncinas said that Myanmar was undoubtedly the emerging market story of 2013. “Expectations are riding high, especially on tenders in the banking and telecoms sectors. This is inevitably creating an execution and disappointment risk for investors,” he said. “With the process of democratisation appearing to be irreversible, it is only a matter of time before the country begins to ‘leapfrog’ in such areas that depend on technology acquisition.”
Kuncinas added that the speed of urbanisation and the pressure to release more land for development would likely maintain their place as the key political issues determining the pace of transformation.
U Soe Thane, the chairman of the MIC, agreed that the sea-change under way in Myanmar, supported by high-profile visits from world leaders, including US President Barack Obama and UK Prime Minister David Cameron, had put the country on the radar of many first-time investors. “Given the growing interest in Myanmar’s liberalisation, I am delighted that Oxford Business Group will be publishing this milestone report on the country, and look forward to playing a part in its compilation,” he said.
OBG’s Editorial Manager, Michael Nesbitt, said he was confident the MIC’s in-depth knowledge of Myanmar’s domestic investment proposals would prove useful during the Group’s research. “As the last frontier, Myanmar is increasingly becoming a focus point for international investors,” he said. “Our partnership with the Myanmar Investment Commission will provide solid foundations for us to begin exploring the country’s potential and provide comprehensive, market-entry-point information for investors in our highly-anticipated launch report.”
The Report: Myanmar 2014 will be a vital guide to the many facets of the country, including its macroeconomics, infrastructure, banking and other sectoral developments. The publication will be available in print or online.
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