• BUSINESS

  Myanmar banks feel the heat

  Asia focus, Larry Jagan, Published on 23/09/2019

  » The fragile state of Myanmar's banking industry remains a problem for the government as it strives to liberalise the financial sector and create a genuine market-based economy. A mini-run on local banks earlier this month underscored how shaky public confidence is.

• BUSINESS

  Green light for global insurers as Myanmar opens up

  Asia focus, Larry Jagan, Published on 29/04/2019

  » The Myanmar government has picked up the pace of liberalisation to attract foreign investment and help spur economic development in the last two years of its term in office.

• OPINION

  Ethnic parties give wake-up call to NLD

  News, Larry Jagan, Published on 06/11/2018

  » Analysts are poring over the results of Myanmar's by-elections which took place on Saturday, vainly trying to read the tea leaves, and perhaps reading too much into them. But it was certainly a wake-up call for both major parties -- the ruling National League for Democracy (NLD) and the previous governing party, the Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) -- but the lessons that can be drawn for the future are limited.

• BUSINESS

  Can the NLD deliver?

  Asia focus, Larry Jagan, Published on 07/09/2015

  » With campaigning for Myanmar's forthcoming elections about to start officially in a few days, the main parties are putting their finishing touches on their policy platforms.

• OPINION

  A parallel govt emerges post-coup

  Oped, Larry Jagan, Published on 31/03/2021

  » Myanmar's elected parliamentarians are openly challenging the country's coup leaders by declaring a parallel civilian government in the next few days. The timing corresponds with the official end of the current elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi. They are also planning to establish a parallel administration throughout the country, challenging the military's coercive structures. One of the key intentions is to challenge the military's legitimacy and credibility internationally and make the country ungovernable.

• OPINION

  NLD prepares for new era of changes and reform

  Oped, Larry Jagan, Published on 21/11/2020

  » Myanmar's ruling National League for Democracy's electoral victory has emboldened its leaders to press on with major changes, including at the very top of the government. There is likely to be a new president -- though Aung San Suu Kyi in her role as State Counsellor will still effectively be running the country -- and a new look cabinet. In the meantime there is also likely to be a changing of the guard in the country's all-powerful military, or Tatmadaw.

• OPINION

  Suu Kyi readies to win 'Covid election'

  Oped, Larry Jagan, Published on 23/07/2020

  » Myanmar's ruling party -- the National League for Democracy (NLD) -- is in the final stages of preparing for parliamentary polls scheduled for Nov 8. These elections have taken an unexpected turn, largely as a result of the pandemic sweeping the world. Now, the country's civilian leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, appears destined to be returned to power, albeit with a reduced majority.

• OPINION

  The final stage of Myanmar's path to democracy

  News, Larry Jagan, Published on 16/08/2019

  » Last week was the anniversary of Myanmar's mass pro-democracy demonstrations in August 1988, which brought the country to a standstill after its military leaders brutally reacted, resulting in heavy loss of life, and a coup. But 31 years on, the country's long struggle for democracy is far from over, as the country enters, perhaps, the final stage of transition.

• BUSINESS

  Paying for power stability

  Asia focus, Larry Jagan, Published on 08/07/2019

  » The government of Myanmar has substantially increased electricity prices with immediate effect as it seeks to reduce its deficit -- electricity subsidies alone cost US$500 million a year -- and finance new power projects to end chronic blackouts.

• WORLD

  Cautious neighbours

  Asia focus, Larry Jagan, Published on 01/04/2019

  » "Good relations with China are essential," Thaung Tun, Myanmar's economic tsar, told Asia Focus recently. That relationship is the key to Myanmar's development and security, he added. "But that relationship won't supersede or override Myanmar's own national interests, though Beijing's position will always be of utmost importance."

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