• WORLD

  Yangon gets smarter

  Asia focus, Larry Jagan, Published on 20/05/2019

  » Yangon is introducing smart meters to control the electricity supply, monitor usage and bill customers in a single automated system. If a pilot project is successful, the potential for further development could be huge, says the entrepreneur spearheading the technology.

• 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."

• WORLD

  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.

• WORLD

  Myanmar powers up

  Asia focus, Larry Jagan, Published on 11/12/2017

  » The government of Myanmar has made energising the power sector an urgent priority, aiming to provide electricity to the whole country by 2030 at the latest. While hydroelectric dams will provide most power needs, new gas-powered plants and liquefied natural gas (LNG) will increase the supply in the medium term. International finance and expertise are being sought, with abundant business opportunities for foreign firms.

• WORLD

  Myanmar confident of economic take-off this year

  Asia focus, Larry Jagan, Published on 08/01/2018

  » After nearly two years in power, Myanmar State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi and her government face a crucial year ahead. Apart from significant political problems -- resolving the troubles in violence-torn Rakhine state and reviving the stalled peace process -- the government needs to show dramatically improved performance on the economic front.

• WORLD

  2018 will be make or break for Suu Kyi

  News, Larry Jagan, Published on 20/11/2017

  » This month marks the second anniversary of Aung San Suu Kyi's electoral landslide at the 2015 polls. It also marks the start of her third year in power. This coming year is going to be a "make or break" year for her and her party, the National League for Democracy (NLD). The euphoria that greeted the Lady's victory has subsided and been replaced by disappointment, disillusionment and frustration. It is also the year the NLD must cast a serious eye toward to the next elections in three years time.

• WORLD

  Myanmar businesses stumble on corporate responsibility

  Asia focus, Larry Jagan, Published on 30/10/2017

  » Many foreign investors are shying away from Myanmar because of the government's apparent failure to prioritise economic development and the violence in Rakhine state. Local businesses also complain of government inertia. But ministers still insist that the country is on the verge of a major economic breakthrough.

• WORLD

  Myanmar renews SEZ push

  Asia focus, Larry Jagan, Published on 02/10/2017

  » Myanmar's special economic zones (SEZs) are a central part of a revitalised economic strategy in which increased manufacturing activity will play a key role. And breathing renewed life and energy into stagnant or stalled SEZs has moved to the top of the government's agenda.

• WORLD

  Myanmar's new economic blueprint

  Asia focus, Larry Jagan, Published on 15/08/2016

  » Threadbare on details and containing mainly sweeping statements of principle, none of them new, the much-anticipated new economic plan outlined for Myanmar by the National League for Democracy (NLD) has disappointed academics, analysts and business leaders.

• WORLD

  Signs of Myanmar peace grow stronger

  News, Larry Jagan, Published on 25/07/2016

  » Myanmar's ethnic armed groups are edging closer to participating in the planned peace summit at the end of next month. The Union Peace Conference was proposed earlier this year by the country's civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi in an attempt to bring together all ethnic groups and with the military and the government to lay the foundations for a re-invigorated peace process -- which would in turn lead to creating a democratic and federal state, bringing lasting peace to the country.

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