"...In his inaugural address, President U Thein Sein rightfully identified a raft of challenges. One of these is an urgent need for investment in physical and social infrastructure. Another is the need for strong, growthoriented development, led initially by agriculture and natural resources, and followed by manufacturing for domestic and export markets. The President also emphasized the importance of transparency, accountability, good governance and the rule of law; resolute action against corruption; and addressing the widening income gap between rich and poor. To overcome the obstacles, the government will need to accelerate reforms. Doing so requires a clear, multipronged development that produces quality jobs and reduces poverty. Myanmar has a historic opportunity to develop integrated, comprehensive long-term policies. Getting them right, by learning from the successes and failures of its neighbors—and adapting those lessons to the country?s specific contexts— carries enormous advantages. This report examines how Myanmar can unlock its full potential. It stresses that charting a successful course will involve considerable care in sequencing policies and programs in the right sectors at the right time. It also details the policy challenges ahead—among them, how to strengthen market institutions, enhance governance and institutional capacity, improve infrastructure, develop human capital, and promote regional integration....A successfully integrated development policy framework will need to consider comprehensive development and reform planning and phasing. It is in this context that the Asian Development Bank?s (ADB) Economics and Research Department presents this report, Myanmar: Unlocking the Potential , which is based on an in- depth country study undertaken in 2013. The report examines the most important and immediate issues that need to be tackled to unlock the potential. These include weak infrastructure, creating modern market and government institutions, human development, stronger regional integration, a clear focus on inclusive growth, and environmental protection..."