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In July 2015 the US-based fried-chicken restaurant chain KFC opened its doors for business in downtown Yangon, becoming the first Western fast-food restaurant chain in Myanmar. At the grand opening event and for a week afterward, locals lined up out the door and around the block. The fast-food restaurant’s evident popularity is just one of...

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, according to...

In the run-up to Myanmar’s historic November 2015 national elections, public opinion appeared split as to what impact the results of the contest would have on the nation’s economy. “Everyone seems to think that the election is the beginning of Myanmar’s problems, or that electing new leadership will inevitably lead to more growth and economic...

With a newly elected government in power and with nearly five years of growth in foreign trade and inward investment under its belt, Myanmar is widely expected to become increasingly integrated into the regional and global economy in the coming years. In the fiscal year (FY) through to April 2015, the nation reported total foreign trade...

In late November 2015 ASEAN signed the Kuala Lumpur Declaration, formally establishing a single market among the 10 ASEAN member states. Known as the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC), the endeavour aims to integrate the region’s economies into a unified market of 620m people and with combined annual output of $2.4trn.

Formerly known as Burma, many have hailed the Republic of the Union of Myanmar’s recent economic, political and social restructuring as ground breaking, and for good reason. In a relatively short period, it has gone from an isolated economy to an investment focal point.