Continuation of Country Commercial

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Subject: Continuation of Country Commercial guides FY 1999:Burma:CHAPTER

IV.  MARKETING U.S. PRODUCTS AND SERVICES
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Country Commercial Guides 
FY 1999: Burma 

CHAPTER IV.  MARKETING U.S. PRODUCTS AND SERVICES

Despite some new laws in the 1990's to open the economy and
encourage foreign trade and investment, Burma remains a largely
closed and non-transparent business environment.  Regulations
affecting foreign business are subject to frequent amendment,
leading to considerable confusion.  A series of new regulations
restricting import/export trade were imposed in FY 1997/98,
further dampening trade prospects.  U.S. sanctions preclude
foreign investment by U.S. business after May 20, 1997.  While
trade with Burma is not prohibited under U.S. law, there is
little about the current business climate to recommend it.

As official policy, the U.S. Government neither encourages
nor discourages trade with Burma.  Since U.S. investment
sanctions were imposed in May 1997, the U.S. Government pro-
hibits new investment.  U.S. business should be aware that
given severe foreign exchange shortages combined with
restrictive trade policies, the current business climate in
Burma is poor. U.S. business should also note that companies
engaged in doing business in Burma have been subject to
consumer boycotts as well as state and local sanctions in
the United States.  As a matter of policy, the Embassy does
not engage in trade facilitation or conduct market research.
The Embassy does provide information when it is readily available.

List of Newspapers

The following state-owned newspapers are published by the News
and Periodicals Enterprise of the Ministry of Information.

1.  The New Light of Myanmar
The New Light of Myanmar Press,
22/30 Strand Road, 43rd Street, (P.O. Box 43)
Yangon, Myanmar.

2.  Myanma Alin
Myanma Alin Press,
212 Theinphyu Road, Botataung Township,(P.O. Box 40)
Yangon, Myanmar.

3.	Kyemon (The Mirror)
Kyemon Press,
77 52nd Street, (P.O. Box 1188)
Pazundaung Township,
Yangon, Myanmar.

4.	City News
Third Floor, City Central Plaza,
Shwedagon Pagoda Road,
Yangon, Myanmar.

Trade Journals

List of Economic Journals and Magazines (selected)

1.  Dana Economic Magazine
72, 8th Street (Ground Floor)
Lanmadaw P.O.,Yangon, Myanmar.
Tel: 224010

2.  Myanma Dana Economic Magazine
210(A), 36th Street, Kyauktada P.O.
Yangon, Myanmar.
Tel: 284660

3.  Kyi-Pwa-Ye
296 Bo Sun Pat Street, Pabedan Township
Yangon, Myanmar. Tel: 278100


4.  Myanma Economic Journal
1 Kinwun Mingyi Road, Dagon Township
Yangon,  Myanmar

5.  Kyaw-nyar Lan Hnyun
No. 38 1st Floor, Ma Po Street
Myenigone, Sanchaung P.O.
Yangon, Myanmar. Tel: 526302

6.  Pale Magazine

Advertising Agencies and Services

1. Ad Grand Advertising Pte. Ltd., 73 Pyay Road,
   Dagon P.O., Yangon
2. Art Man Co., Ltd, 112/114, 1st Fl, 33rd Street,
   Kyauktada P.O. Yangon Tel: 286903/282615;
   Fax: 951-246142
3. Bates Myanmar, 46 A Inya Myaing Road, Bahan P.O.,
   Yangon
4. Design Printing Services (D.P.S.), No. 169, Anawrahta Rd.,
   Corner of Anawrahta & 34th St, Kyauktada P.O. Yangon
   Tel 700541/281861
5. International Advertising Service, 82A Saya San Road,
   BahanP.O., Yangon
6. Inya Marketing & Communications, 174 First Floor,
   35th Street, Kyauktada P.O., Yangon Tel: 282776;
   Fax: 951-667 115
7. JointCom Enterprise, First Floor, 206 Shwebontha Street,
   Pabedan P.O. Yangon Tel: 246991/242728; Fax: 951-297804
8. Living Color, 38st, 1st Floor, Ma Po Street,
   Myay Ni Gone, Sanchaung P.O. Tel: 526302
9. MacComm PR Advertising, 259 Anawrahta Street,
   Lanmadaw P.O., Yangon, Tel: 221886
10. MMI Marketing, 73 Pyay Road,
    Dagon, Yangon, Tel: 221924, 226773
11. Myanmar SPA Today Advertising Ltd., 76,
    Dhammar Yone St., Myay Ni Gone, Sanchaung P.O.
    Tel: 524969
12. SAIL McCann-Erickson, 790-4th Fl, Bogyoke Aung
    San St. & Wardan St corner, Lanmadaw P.O. Yangon
    Tel: 227243(Ext. 403)
13. Today Publishing House Ltd., Bldg C-2 Nyaung Tan
    Housing Estate, Annawa Lane - 2, Pazundaung P.O. Yangon,
    Tel: 295886/299797  Fax: 951-294092

IPR Protection

Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) protection is limited in Burma.
A Patents and Design Act was introduced in 1945, but never
brought into force.  Consequently, the Indian Patents and Designs
Act of 1911, which was enacted under British colonial rule,
continues to govern the registration of patents and designs.
Pirating of books, software and designs, however, is rampant.
Some firms place a trademark caution notice in the local newspaper,
warning that trademark infringers will be dealt with according
to the law.  Once this trademark caution notice has been published
in the newspaper, legal action (in the form of a civil suit)
can be taken against trademark infringers. Trademark registration
is possible, but in the absence of a trademarks law, is not
compulsory.  Title to a trademark depends on use of the trade-
mark in connection with goods sold in Burma. Civil action can be
taken against misuse of a trademark, but is cumbersome and costly.

Need for a Local Attorney

Because of the legal confines of U.S. sanctions law and the
opaque nature of Burma's legal system, the Embassy strongly
advises U.S. businesses to consult with an attorney and the
Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC)
prior to engaging in business in Burma.  Although based on British
legal tradition, many Burmese laws are exceedingly dated. While
contracts are generally respected, a foreign business would be
unlikely to profit from a legal dispute with the government or a
member of the military elite.


[end of document]
Source:US Dept of State