Showing 1 - 10 of 14
Free fall
Asia focus, Larry Jagan, Published on 22/03/2021
» Yangon is burning: Plumes of smoke rose into the skyline in the north of the city every day last week. Large parts of Myanmar's biggest city and main commercial centre resembled a battle zone after the military junta imposed martial law in several neighbourhoods.
Pandemic poll drives reform demands
Oped, Larry Jagan, Published on 04/11/2020
» Myanmar goes to the polls on Sunday in a critical election that will determine the country's future direction. At issue is the country's fragile political balance -- between the civilian government and the still very powerful military -- and more importantly, give renewed impetus to the current government's drive to reform the country and the constitution. This election gives the voters the chance to decide whether the National League for Democracy (NLD) government, led by the charismatic leader Aung San Suu Kyi, will be given a renewed mandate to push forward on the country's tentative reform path and strengthen its democratic institutions.
Headwinds in Myanmar
Asia focus, Larry Jagan, Published on 20/01/2020
» The economic outlook for Myanmar for the coming year looks resilient, but the country faces enormous risks posed by internal tensions and international economic trends, according to the World Bank.
Time to deliver
Asia focus, Larry Jagan, Published on 25/11/2019
» The Myanmar government knows it needs to improve the country's economic performance and extend the benefits of development more evenly across society. With elections only a year away, the ruling National League for Democracy (NLD) needs some big wins to prove to the country's entrepreneurs and the urban middle class that it is pro-business.
Selling 'Suukyinomics'
Asia focus, Larry Jagan, Published on 02/09/2019
» A delegation led by Thaung Tun, Myanmar's economic tsar, hit the road to Bangkok recently to talk up the unique and refreshing government approach that they hope will persuade Thai investors to participate in the country's fast-growing development.
Shining a light
Asia focus, Larry Jagan, Published on 17/06/2019
» "Responsible business" has become the new buzzword in Myanmar, heightened by international investors' concern about weak governance in the country's private sector, a problem that is even more worrying in state-owned enterprises.
Myanmar powers up
Asia focus, Larry Jagan, Published on 10/06/2019
» Desperate for increased power supplies, Myanmar is speeding up efforts to call international bids to get more electricity flowing into the national grid within 12 months. Authorities are also considering importing power from China and Laos.
'Suukyinomics' taking hold
Asia focus, Larry Jagan, Published on 04/02/2019
» Myanmar's civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi has relaunched the government's drive for economic development based on attracting foreign investment, streamlining bureaucratic procedures, improving infrastructure and utilising the enthusiasm and skills of the country's youth.
Myanmar steps up financial reforms
Asia focus, Larry Jagan, Published on 24/12/2018
» The government of Myanmar is finally putting its long-anticipated plans for economic liberalisation into overdrive. In the past few weeks it has announced numerous reforms -- including insurance liberalisation and further easing of restrictions on foreign banks, the establishment of a credit rating bureau and the formation of a "project bank" to encourage investment, especially from abroad.
Painful correction
Asia focus, Larry Jagan, Published on 08/10/2018
» Myanmar's currency crisis seems to have eased in recent days as a result of government actions, and to the relief of some market observers who feared an Argentina-style meltdown was in the making.