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Recording steady growth in recent years, Myanmar’s industrial and retail sectors have been buoyed by solid macroeconomic fundamentals, economic liberalisation and regulatory reforms encouraging investment and expansion. The new administration has set a bold industrialisation target, with manufacturing expected to become one of the most significant economic growth drivers in the coming years. Job creation and infrastructure investment are priorities, with ongoing development at three special economic zones also expected to attract new industrial and manufacturing investment. Low labour costs provide an additional incentive, despite a shortage of skilled labour, which has driven the government to target significant new investment in vocational training. This chapter contains an interview with U Ko Ko Gyi, Group Managing Director, Capital Diamond Star Group.

The immense wealth that lies beneath Myanmar’s soil continues to entice prospectors from around the globe, and recent structural reforms are expected to bolster the sector and attract much needed capital. The nation’s first democratic government has shown determination to remedy past wrongs and clean up a sector that has immense potential to fuel growth. However, the new administration has inherited a wealth of intricate challenges that will require a vast amount of resources to resolve. Given the country’s geology and the passing of long-awaited legal amendments, most of which are geared towards promoting foreign participation, mineral exploration is expected to accelerate. This chapter contains interviews with U Ohn Winn, Minister of Natural Resources and Environmental Conservation; and U Nay Win Tun, Chairman, Ruby Dragon Group of Companies.

The agriculture sector is already gaining ground from relaxed trade policies. Future potential, however, will depend on the ease of its transition from a supply-led industry to one determined by demand. For the short term, Myanmar will rely on consumption trends in India and China. It is unclear how long it will take the country to successfully penetrate international markets outside of Asia, although the process to get there is more than apparent. In line with this objective, local and international investors, with the support of the government and development agencies, are accelerating efforts to promote farming inputs, improve productivity and strengthen supply chains. This chapter contains an interview with Sunil Seth, President, Overseas Agro Traders Association of Myanmar.

The construction industry is set to become a major growth driver of Myanmar’s economy, as investors look to capitalise on economic liberalisation and a major public infrastructure programme. Residential real estate, particularly affordable housing, will remain the chief engine of growth over the medium term, though a large infrastructure deficit and rising congestion in Yangon should see public works comprise a growing portion of activity. Although the outlook for the office and residential segments remains subdued as a result of rising new supply, the real estate sector is expected to maintain steady momentum in the coming years, on the back of further economic liberalisation and new opportunities in the retail, non-serviced apartment and affordable housing segments. This chapter contains a viewpoint from U Win Khaing, Minister of Construction; and interviews with Wong Heang Fine, Group CEO, Surbana Jurong; and Omar Shahzad, Group CEO, Meinhardt Group.

The expansion of Myanmar’s telecoms market continues to live up to its early promise, with the reform of the industry viewed as the biggest economic success since the military ceded power in 2011. The dramatic surge in network coverage has empowered local businesses and provided remote villages with the opportunity to connect to the outside world. The country’s IT segment continues to attract investors from around the globe. Driven by the rapid success achieved by international operators in the telecoms sector, foreign sponsors are eager to take part in the country’s evolving tech industry. In a matter of only a few years, the majority of Myanmar’s young population has gone from little or no access to internet services to a breeding ground for tech start-ups. This chapter contains a roundtable with Takashi Nagashima, CEO, MPT-KSGM Joint Operations; Rene Meza, CEO, Ooredoo Myanmar; and Lars Erik Tellmann, CEO, Telenor Myanmar; and interviews with Michelle Simmons, General Manager of South-east Asia New Markets, Microsoft Asia Pacific; and David Madden, Founder & CEO, Phandeeyar.

With massive infrastructure upgrades in the works and industrial demand rapidly expanding, the energy market in Myanmar is currently one of the more promising ones in the world. The country is in great need of electricity generation capacity and must completely overhaul its transmission and distribution systems. Investment opportunities are available throughout the energy value chain, and will be for decades to come. Globally, it is an outlier: as other countries slow or cut back on energy investment due to low oil prices and weak economic growth, Myanmar is ramping up its commitment and inviting the world to participate. This chapter contains interviews with Ken Tun, CEO Parami Energy Group; U Kyaw Kyaw Hlaing, Chairman, SMART Group of Companies; and Billy Harkin, Chairman, Energize Myanmar.