Industry

Industrial investment in Bahrain has traditionally been driven by the government, which has sought to develop national champions that can then expand abroad. One of these, Aluminium Bahrain, a smelting company in which the state holds a 77% stake, is not just one of the world’s top 10 producers of the metal; it has also become a household name,...

Along with finance, tourism and telecoms, the pharmaceuticals industry is one sector that the Bahraini government is keen to develop as part of a broader shift towards an economy less centred on oil. Perhaps the most visible symbol of this is the ongoing $1.6bn Dilmunia Health Island, which, when completed, is meant to turn Bahrain into one of...

Thanks to the recent acceleration of investment in manufacturing and retail, alongside other industries, Myanmar has been making rapid progress in its effort to catch up with regional peers. While much ground remains to be covered, its achievements to date are remarkable, given its history and the challenges it faces in a highly competitive neighbourhood. Strong...

With double-digit growth widely predicted and indeed being realised by many new market entrants, Myanmar’s pharmaceuticals sector has been attracting a great deal of attention of late – particularly from companies able to offer low-cost products in this still largely lowincome market. At the same time, international companies are positioning themselves to take advantage...

As the country emerges from a protracted period of isolation from the global economic mainstream and with its economy experiencing strong growth, Myanmar’s retail sector looks set for major expansion in the years ahead. The arrival of modern retail formats and outlets, along with the shifting consumption patterns of a youthful and increasingly internationally oriented...

Myanmar’s automotive sector is widely tipped for takeoff in the year ahead, with strong growth expected and a range of international giants recently making some of their first, concrete moves into the country.