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In the wake of sweeping reforms undertaken since 2011, Myanmar’s banking sector has been advancing at a rapid pace to become safer, sounder and better regulated. The majority of banking institutions are rising to the challenge by adopting international best practices, especially in terms of accountancy, and investing in systems that promise to transform the way they operate. Until recently banking in Myanmar was a highly controlled, state-centric, ledger-entry affair. However, after undergoing a process of modernisation, it has become an industry of great opportunity. This chapter contains interviews with U Kyaw Kyaw Maung, Governor, Central Bank of Myanmar; U Yin Zaw Myo, Managing Director, Yangon Stock Exchange; Quach Hung Hiep, Senior Executive Vice-President, Bank for Investment and Development of Vietnam; and Simeon Preston, Group COO, AIA Group; as well as a roundtable with Azeem Azimuddin, CFO and Advisor to Chairman, Aya Bank; Antony Picon, Managing Director, Colliers International; Kim Chawsu, Managing Partner, Katalysts Investment Group; and Hal Bosher, CEO, Yoma Bank.

After its historic transition to civilian rule following years of incremental reforms, Myanmar is enjoying a period of exceptional growth. Once an outlier in the region, Myanmar now has the fastest-growing economy in ASEAN, and is seen as a source of regional strength and a destination of opportunity. Further liberalisation is planned, international investment is expected to remain strong and the domestic economy is becoming increasingly efficient. Optimism reigns as the experiment in reform has proven durable. While many emerging economies struggle to maintain a high rate of expansion in the face of global uncertainty, Myanmar is set to remain on course. This chapter contains interviews with U Kyaw Win, Minister of Planning and Finance; Sean Turnell, Economic Advisor, National League for Democracy and Associate Professor, Department of Economics, Macquarie University; U Thurance Aung, Vice-President, Myanmar Japan Thilwa Development; and Keiichiro Nakazawa, Chief Representative, Japan International Cooperation Agency, Myanmar Office.

Although Myanmar remains in trade deficit, its trade balance has been improving in recent months. The trade deficit stood at $1.11bn in the first quarter of 2015 and fell to $945.7m in the same period of 2016, highlighting the impact rising exports are having on trade growth, and painting a brighter picture for long-term trade trends. This chapter contains interviews with Le Luong Minh, ASEAN Secretary- General; Cecilia Malmström, European Commissioner for Trade; Vivek Pathak, Director for East Asia and the Pacific, International Finance Corporation; U Thura Ko Ko, Managing Director, YGA Capital and Local Representative, Texas Pacific Group; and Peter Beynon, Chairman, British Chamber of Commerce Myanmar.

OBG introduces the reader to the different aspects of the legal system in Algeria, in partnership with Gide Loyrette Nouel. Samy Laghouati, Partner, Gide, on the new investment code.

In conjunction with Mazars, OBG explores the taxation system, examining Algeria’s investor-friendly environment. The chapter includes a viewpoint from Samir Hadj Ali, Chartered Accountant and Managing Partner, Mazars Algeria, on corporate income tax rates.