The central bank’s decision to award bank licences to nine foreign groups in October 2014 was widely hailed as a major breakthrough in bringing Myanmar’s underdeveloped financial sector into the modern era. But the really big decisions over how much foreign involvement will be allowed still lie ahead.
Articles & Analysis | Despite the issuing of licences to nine foreign banks, the extent of their involvement remains unclear from The Report: Myanmar 2015
Interviews & Viewpoints | OBG talks to Andrew Géczy, CEO of International and Institutional Banking, ANZ Bank; Chartsiri Sophonpanich, President, Bangkok Bank; and Abdul Farid Alias, Group President and CEO, Maybank from The Report: Myanmar 2015
What were the key factors behind the decision to apply for an operating licence in Myanmar?
Interviews & Viewpoints | U Win Shein, Minister of Finance: Interview from The Report: Myanmar 2015
How will regional integration under the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) assist in the development of the local banking sector?
Articles & Analysis | Opening up for investment, the sector is set for significant expansion from The Report: Myanmar 2015
The insurance sector is at an early stage of development, with private insurers just beginning to develop since 2013 after a long period in which the sector was fully nationalised. Twelve companies, most of them linked to major banks or conglomerates, were licensed to launch insurance businesses in May 2013, and foreign insurers were expected to be invited in 2015 to...
Articles & Analysis | Economic reforms have cleared the path for modern financial practices from The Report: Myanmar 2015
The traditionally small banking sector is undergoing an extraordinary burst of growth as economic reforms and the lifting of sanctions are leading households and businesses to modernise their financial practices. Bank deposits and credit have been growing at more than 30% a year, even after adjusting for inflation. And in a breakthrough reform in October 2014, the...
Interviews & Viewpoints | Lim Cheng Teck, CEO for ASEAN, Standard Chartered: Interview from The Report: Myanmar 2015
In the lead up to the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC), how can access to finance for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) be improved?