Economy

After nearly half a century of isolation, followed by five years of reform-driven growth, Myanmar’s economy is currently expanding at a record rate. As of late 2015 rising investment, growing exports and steadily increasing foreign involvement were expected to push GDP growth to 9.3% during FY 2015/16, which ends in March 2016. The current period of economic expansion is a result of two main causes: a raft of new government liberalisation policies, which have made it much easier to do business in the country, and the fact that Myanmar started from a low development base in 2011, which has meant wide scope for growth as its economy plays catch-up. Regardless, the nation’s rapid growth is widely seen as a positive indicator of future performance and potential. This chapter contains interviews with Axel van Trotsenburg, Vice-President for East Asia and the Pacific, World Bank; Melyvn Pun, CEO, Yoma Strategic Holdings; Dr Kan Zaw, Minister of National Planning and Economic Development; and Adam McCarty, Chief Economist, Mekong Economics.