After several years of rapid expansion and double-digit credit growth, Myanmar’s banking sector underwent several necessary reforms in 2017 and 2018, as the Central Bank of Myanmar moved to introduce new prudential regulations and reduce overdraft lending. Although foreign banks remain prohibited from participating in retail activities, a spate of recent directives have made promising strides...
Asia Financial Services
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Chapter | Financial Services from The Report: Myanmar 2019
Although Myanmar has been faced with internal conflict, a new long-term economic agenda, alongside rising oil and gas prices and considerable growth in some manufacturing segments, are set to encourage increased foreign direct investment inflows into the country.
Chapter | Capital Markets from The Report: Papua New Guinea 2018
Although small by international standards, Papua New Guinea’s capital markets have performed well in recent years, despite facing notable macroeconomic challenges. Key indices on the Port Moresby Stock Exchange expanded steadily in 2017, supported by robust growth of two of its largest listed companies, Bank South Pacific and Oil Search, and an increase in domestic turnover. A series of...
The insurance industry of Papua New Guinea holds considerable potential for long-term growth, although insurers and brokers face notable challenges, including a lack of enforcement and compliance regarding financial reporting requirements, limited domestic reinsurance capacity, and the frequent offshoring of major accounts and business. Despite being a country that is susceptible to an array of...
Papua New Guinea’s banking sector experienced a mixed year in 2017, with commercial bank assets declining after four consecutive years of growth. Total loans to the private sector also fell against a backdrop of subdued economic activity, even as Bank South Pacific, the country’s leading commercial bank, recorded a strong rise in lending and increased profits. Nevertheless, efforts are under way...
Although Papua New Guinea’s macroeconomic slowdown, challenging business climate and falling global commodity prices have weighed on trade and investment in recent years, the country continues to offer high-potential opportunities to investors.