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Building a modern transport network will be necessary if the government is to accomplish its ambitious development plans, with a host of air, rail and shipping upgrades planned for the coming years. Major projects include the proposed $1.1bn Hanthawaddy International Airport project, which will be able to accommodate 12m passengers with a plan to increase numbers to 30m per year, over 10 times the country’s current capacity. The existing network threatens to limit growth if air, rail and port facilities are not successfully upgraded in the coming years. The capital needed for improvements is significant, but Myanmar has great incentive to push for economic reforms and to further engage private parties and international development agencies. The state aims to be a major logistics player in the region, and given Myanmar’s strategic geographic position within the region, many believe this vision can be realised with sufficient injection of capital and international cooperation. This chapter contains interviews with U Nyan Tun Aung, Minister of Transport; and U Si Thu, Managing Director, Myanmar Airways International (MAI).

Following years of poor governance, limited resources and international sanctions, much work needs to be done in order to bridge the gap between Myanmar’s ill-equipped public health system and internationally recognised norms. The government and foreign donors are ramping up efforts in the fight against HIV, malaria, tuberculosis (TB) and maternal and child mortality as well as the increasing prevalence of non-communicable disease (NCDs). After decades of isolation, the sector is now open to foreign investment, allowing 70% ownership in clinics and hospitals. Both private and public sector players are taking significant steps to adjust to the evolving landscape of the country in an effort to improve the provision of medical care. The education system is also undergoing revitalisation. With many of the country’s development goals relying on the improvement of education and the expansion of vocational training, the transformation is well under way. Although the Ministry of Education has numerous hurdles to overcome, an increased budget, growing support from the global community, and the reopening of Yangon University are all positive signs for the future of Myanmar’s education system. This chapter contains an interview with Dr Ye Moe Myint, Hospital Administrator, Pun Hlaing Hospital; and an education viewpoint from Julie Bishop, Foreign Minister of Australia.

While much ground remains to be covered in Myanmar’s industry and retail sectors, its progress to date is remarkable, given the country’s history and the challenges it faces in a highly competitive neighbourhood. Figures from the end of November 2014 show manufacturing coming in third, behind the oil and gas and power sectors, in terms of total investments received. Strong international support and investment, together with the efforts of a hard-working, young, highly literate and motivated population, are paying increasing dividends, as Myanmar opens up to the world and progresses towards joining the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC). With robust economic growth expected to continue, paralleling continued investor interest, industry and retail are likely to see further expansion in 2015 and beyond. While almost all manufacturing areas offer major upsides, an awareness of changing local conditions and the ability to adapt to political dynamics will be key for sustained growth. This chapter contains interviews with Stuart Dean, CEO, General Electric ASEAN; and Rehan Khan, Managing Director, Coca-Cola Myanmar.

With a wealth of untapped geological resources, including the world’s richest jade and ruby mines, Myanmar is set to attract a flood of foreign investment into its high-potential mining sector. In the decades to come, mining is expected to be one of the top drivers of Myanmar’s economic development. Current growth is being driven by a number of smaller projects in metals and by a boom in tin ore output from existing mines. Coal output is growing rapidly, thanks mainly to rising output from the Kalewa basin, in the Sagaing region west of Mandalay. The scale of opportunities in the sector is such that there are already dozens of international mining firms visiting Myanmar, studying its geology and applying or preparing to apply for exploration licenses. A reform that may clear away obstacles to international exploration was adopted in August 2014, allowing foreign investors to own up to 100% of mining licenses. While the wave of exploration expected to be released by reforms will take many years to convert into production, the mining industry appears to be in the early stages of a long-lasting expansion. This chapter contains interviews with Dr Myint Aung, Minister of Mines; and U Maung Ko, Chairman, Myanmar Federation of Mining Association (CEC).

An estimated 45% of Myanmar’s GDP is provided by the agricultural sector, which also employs 70% of the domestic labour force. Myanmar is well known for its rice and teak production, and is also a leading provider of rubber, oil seed, cotton, corn, chillies and pulses. A number of structural obstacles, including land rights, outdated techniques, inadequate infrastructure and low financing, have served to frustrate Myanmar’s agricultural sector in recent years. Despite these challenges, the sector holds great promise and potential for growth. Foreign trade and investment are seen as key to helping develop Myanmar’s rice production and milling industries, and several new agreements with regional neighbours should help the country move forward in coming years. This chapter contains interviews with U Win Tun, Minister of Environmental Conservation and Forestry; and U Chit Khine, Chairman, Myanmar Rice Federation.

The opening of Myanmar’s economy has led to a proliferation of mega-projects in the past four years, including the upgrade of infrastructure and the expansion of utilities. The government has embarked on projects to upgrade, broaden and build a long list of facilities, ranging from roads to bridges, seaports to airports, hotels to malls, high rises to apartments and hydroelectric dams to electric plants. Evidence of the construction boom is visible throughout Myanmar, especially in Yangon, an old capital that is on an express track to becoming a modern city. The influx of foreign firms has caused a shortage of office and commercial space. With rental rates rapidly rising, a number of new projects are being launched that will market to international customers. Despite the rapid growth of the economy overall, the construction sector may see a slight slowdown as investors adopt a wait-and-see approach pending general elections in November 2015, after which Myanmar is likely to see a catch up period of intense investment in a wide range of projects. This chapter contains interviews with Dr Khin Shwe, Chairman, Zaykabar; and Stephen Suen, Marga Group.