Economic Development
Individual Documents
Description:
"Protected Areas are important tools for biodiversity conservation and sustainable development. Myanmar possesses 39 protected areas and 21 of these areas are declared as ecotourism sites. The study area, Lawkananda Wildlife Sanctuary is a designated
ecotourism site and is strategically located on the bank of Ayeyarwady River and in Bagan Area. The main objective of the study is to identify and evaluate the economic benefits of study area in term of non-consumptive values. Willingness-to-pay for park’s entrance fee
is analyzed by Contingent Valuation Method. Return-to-Zero Regression method is used to explore the influence characteristics on willingness-to-pay. The Spatial Statistics tools are applied to predict the existence-value of study park. The main findings are (i) the park has consumer surplus for entrance fee, (ii) the most influenced characteristics of visits on willingness-to-pay is Research Purpose, and (iii) the park is situated as the key dominant habitat hot spot. The researcher believes that this contribution will value to various stakeholders.....ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS: Firstly, I am most gratitude to Professor Dr. Khin Naing Oo, Rector of Yangon
University of Economics, and Professor Dr. Tun Aung, Pro-Rector of Yangon University of Economics for their kindly permission to conduct this study and to submit this paper. I am really thankful to Professor Dr. Thida Kyu, Director of Development Studies
Programme, Yangon University of Economics for her keen interest and support to carry out my study. I express my heartfelt thanks to Professor Dr. Ni Lar Myint Htoo, Professor from
Department of Economics, Yangon University of Economics, for her guidance throughout the study. This study could not be undertaken without support and encouragements of my supervisor, Dr. Kalya Kyaing (Consultant – National Specialist on Economics, Asia
Development Bank). Thus, I would like to convey my deepest gratitude to her. Then I would like to extend my sincere thanks to Daw Win Min Than (Retired Lecturer) and Dr. Naw Htee Mue Loe Htoo (Lecturer from Department of Economics, Yangon University of Economics) for their enthusiastic teaching and knowledge sharing
on Environmental and Natural Resource Economics.
I would like to express my special thanks to all professors, associated professors and lecturers for imparting of a great variety of knowledge and concepts of development during the study period of two years under EMDevS Programme. Finally, I would like to
express my thanks to all library staffs from Yangon University of Economics. I also offer my thanks to U Shwe Htay Aung (Warden of Lawkananda Wildlife Sanctuary) and Daw Kay Khine Oo (Assistant Lecturer, Yezin Agriculture University), who helped me to obtain required data and satellite images. I would like to appreciate to
Professor Dr. Win Tint (Retired Pro-Rector of Taungoo University), Professor Dr. Win Maung (Chairman, Myanmar’s Environment Institute) and Professor Dr. Htun Ko (Head of Department of Geography, University of Yangon) who shared their knowledge and
advised me for this study..."
Source/publisher:
Yangon University of Economics
Date of publication:
2017-08-00
Date of entry/update:
2021-05-07
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Category:
Economy: general, analytical, statistical (various sources), Economic Development, Sustainable development, Burma's economic relations with ASEAN, Burma/Myanmar's relationship with the Global Economy, International Trade, Illegal Economy - general, National parks and protected areas, The forests of Burma/Myanmar - General, Fauna of Burma's forests, Forest policy in Burma/Myanmar
Language:
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pdf
Size:
2.56 MB
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Description:
"...Myanmar, where the amount of natural rainforest is still high and the amount of economic activity is still low, really is one of the last countries that can be considered 'empty' in our 'full world'. But the country currently undergoes deep transition processes. These processes are not only of social, but also of economic and ecologic nature. Such changes pose opportunities and also threats to society as well as the ecosystem. Particularly energy management is an important issue: In areas where level of electricity is often below thirty percent, producing energy and improving electric infrastructure is crucial to increase the standard of living, especially in a low-income country. But do the current energy projects benefit the local people while at the same time maintaining the further existence of the surrounding ecosystem?In order to show the opportunities and threats that occur during the transition of Burma towards democracy, I will assess the impacts of energy management and electrification, namely a coal power project in the Mon State and hydropower in the Shan state, on local livelihoods. I will use the methodology of institutional and resource economics as well as the knowledge from Southeast Asian area studies to analyze, energy policies, governance structures and the social situation that play a role in recent energy projects. Finally, I will advocate the strengthening of the local civil societies to play a greater role in deciding on energy policy to avoid societal and environmental negative outcomes of energy management in this country of deep transformation..."
Date of publication:
2016-11-23
Date of entry/update:
2020-04-04
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Category:
Sustainable/alternative development in and for Burma, Economic Development, Natural Resource Use, Burma/Myanmar - reports, articles etc.
Language:
Format :
PDF
Size:
2.35 MB
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Description:
"...This open access book focuses on the Salween River, shared by China, Myanmar, and Thailand, that is increasingly at the heart of pressing regional development debates. The basin supports the livelihoods of over 10 million people, and within it there is great socio-economic, cultural and political diversity. The basin is witnessing intensifying dynamics of resource extraction, alongside large dam construction, conservation and development intervention, that is unfolding within a complex terrain of local, national and transnational governance. With a focus on the contested politics of water and associated resources in the Salween basin, this book offers a collection of empirical case studies that highlights local knowledge and perspectives. Given the paucity of grounded social science studies in this contested basin, this book provides conceptual insights at the intersection of resource governance, development, and politics of knowledge relevant to researchers, policy-makers and practitioners at a time when rapid change is underway..."
Source/publisher:
Academia.edu
Date of publication:
2019-02-00
Date of entry/update:
2020-03-29
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Category:
Economic Development, General articles and reports
Language:
Format :
PDF
Size:
8.86 MB
Local URL:
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Sub-title:
Myanmar witnessed an economic slowdown in fiscal 2019, with GDP growth downgraded to 6.5 percent from 6.8pc in 2018, and foreign direct investments (FDI) hitting just 70pc of official targets. The economy also took a hit from slowing global growth and uncertainty arising from the trade war between China and the US.
Description:
"But the Myanmar government also took progressive measures to boost the economy. It led further liberalisation in various sectors of the economy and took steps to address the country’s power shortage. It also announced new tax reductions and reliefs aimed at boosting state coffers and economic activity, garnering applause from the business community.
During the year, the government took efforts to attract FDI in spite of the ongoing Rakhine crisis and lawsuit filed against Myanmar in the International Court of Justice by Gambia, which tarnished the country’s image as an investment destination. Among them were a string of investment forums held in the states and regions, which were aimed at drawing investors to rural areas like Rakhine and Chin.
Here are the top ten events in business and investments that shaped the Myanmar economy in 2019: 1. Insurance sector liberalised
Five insurance firms – British Prudential, Japanese Dai-ichi Life, Hong Kong AIA, US Chubb and Canadian Manulife – finally received licenses to operate in Myanmar in late November after a two-year delay.
In addition, six insurance JVs of foreign and local firms also received the green light. The three JVs for non-life insurance are AYA Myanmar General Insurance and Sompo Japan Nipponkoa Insurance; Grand Guardian General Insurance and Tokio Marine & Nichido Fire Insurance; and IKBZ Insurance and Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance..."
Source/publisher:
"Myanmar Times" (Myanmar)
Date of publication:
2019-12-31
Date of entry/update:
2020-01-11
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Category:
Burma/Myanmar's relationship with the Global Economy, Economic Development, Burma/Myanmar's Foreign relations, general
Language:
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Description:
"ECONOMIC growth in Myanmar may be held back by uncertainty ahead of the 2020 elections, the International Monetary Fund revealed.
Foreign direct investment inflows and project approvals, it warns, remain lower than in recent years because large projects have been completed and foreign investors remain cautious ahead of the polls scheduled next year.
The IMF, after the annual Article IV consultations in the country, however, sees the economy continuing to grow steadily, according to The Myanmar Times.
“For 2019-20, growth is expected to be broadly stable, with higher government spending largely offset by pre-election uncertainty and weaker private demand,” the fund said in a statement.
It, however, reiterated warnings made last April that “risks are tilted to the downside” and cited concerns over fallout from the Rakhine crisis and weaknesses in the banking sector.
"On the domestic front, growth could underperform if fiscal spending does not accelerate sufficiently. Delayed restructuring and recapitalisation of the banking system could increase systemic risks with large macro financial spillovers.
"A deterioration of the security situation and continued humanitarian issues in Rakhine could weigh on sentiment,” the IMF said in the statement issued following a visit by its team of economists..."
Source/publisher:
"New Straits Times" (Malaysia)
Date of publication:
2019-12-27
Date of entry/update:
2020-01-08
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Category:
Economic Development, Sustainable development, Burma/Myanmar's relationship with the Global Economy, The 2020 General Elections in Burma/Myanmar
Language:
more
Description:
"The economy in Myanmar in the fiscal year of 2019-2020 was given a positive outlook by the Asean+3 Macroeconomic Research Office.
It is expected to expand by 7.1 per cent, up from 6.8 per cent in the previous fiscal year, buoyed by reform momentum, improving business sentiments, growth in manufacturing, tourism related expansion and stronger fiscal spending.
Directorate of Investment and Company Administration director-general U Thant Sin Lwin said foreign direct investments was also expected to pick up and align with the government estimates for the fiscal year 2019-2020, according to the Myanmar Times.
Business and economists said the downside is the ongoing Rakhine crisis and lawsuit filed against Myanmar in the International Court of Justice by Gambia, which could tarnish the country’s image as an investment destination.
Myanmar is also expected to hold a general election in 2020, and many investors will wait and see how things unfold in the political economy before investing further in the country this year.
This year, five key sectors with growth potentials are the tourism industry, property, insurance, digital transactions and the stock exchange business..."
Source/publisher:
"New Straits Times" (Malaysia)
Date of publication:
2020-01-02
Date of entry/update:
2020-01-05
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Language:
more
Description:
"Toyota Motor Corp is planning to build an automobile factory in Myanmar, The Yomiuri Shimbun has learnt.
An official announcement could come before the end of the month, with construction on the plant to start this year.
The plant would be located in the Thilawa Special Economic Zone on the outskirts of Yangon and would assemble pickup trucks through so-called knockdown production, in which parts imported from Japan and other nearby nations are put together at the new plant.
Myanmar has a population of about 50 million people, on a par with South Korea and Spain. It is also a young nation, with an average age of 27.9. While it is one of the poorest countries in Asia, it has seen strong economic growth recently and is expected to grow at annual rates of 6 to 7 per cent.
Though only about 17,500 new automobiles were sold in the country in 2018, the figure more than doubled compared to the previous year. Toyota currently exports about 2,000 passenger and commercial vehicles to Myanmar per year and sees the market as one with strong growth potential..."
Source/publisher:
"The Straits Times" (Singapore)
Date of publication:
2019-05-27
Date of entry/update:
2019-10-26
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Category:
Burma's economic relations with Japan, Economic Development, Other Special Economic Zones, Japan-Burma relations
Language:
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Description:
"Key takeaways from the latest (Oct 2019) World Bank ‘Asia Pacific Economic Update – Weathering Growing Risks’ pertain to using policy spaces available for the countries in order to boost and sustain growth; to continue trade openness, including through deeper regional integration (within ASEAN and R-CEP and other bilateral arrangements) and enact structural reforms to raise productivity, enhance trade and investment and encourage innovation.
Myanmar requires all these policy prescriptions. It is up to the policy makers in addressing the challenges of growth that is inclusive and provides dividends to all sections of people. Given that Myanmar has more fiscal space in terms of manageable debt and budget deficit, the need to expansionary cycle of public spending would be a logical policy route that can enhance the human resources as well as welfare of people. Equitable regional growth strategies, increased public spending on social sectors, and improvements in critical infrastructure (rural connectivity) can be the focus areas which can sustain the overall growth of the economy. A recently released public opinion survey by the International Republican Institute has also shown results in terms of overall satisfaction of the public on the direction of increased spending on rural infrastructure and social sectors.
The biggest challenge for Myanmar is execution of projects and programmes at the ground level as the Bank repeatedly highlights as an issue to be addressed in order to improve the performance of the government. This in fact is the litmus test for reposing public confidence on the government..."
Source/publisher:
"Mizzima" (Myanmar)
Date of publication:
2019-10-15
Date of entry/update:
2019-10-15
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Language:
more
Description:
UK-based author made a list of recommended reads by Bill Gates with his influential book ?How Asia Works,” an analysis of success and failure in Asian economies.
In his book, Studwell argues that high-performing countries such as Japan, South Korea, Taiwan and China set the foundations for economic success by strengthening smallholder agriculture, subjecting industry to export discipline and pursuing a tightly controlled financial policy.
Studwell spoke to The Irrawaddy ahead of his keynote speech at a conference in Naypyidaw on Tuesday on the role of government in supporting smallholder agriculture, to accelerate economic development..."
Sandy Barron (interviews Joe Studwell)
Source/publisher:
"The Irrawaddy"
Date of publication:
2016-08-17
Date of entry/update:
2016-08-18
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Language:
English
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Description:
INTRODUCTION: "The November 8, 2015 elections in Myanmar
marked a historic milestone in the country?s political
and economic transition that began in 2011.
Incoming policy makers are preparing to pick up the
baton and deliver on the people?s strong aspirations for
a harmonious and prosperous Myanmar. In this series
of policy notes, the World Bank Group seeks to promote
dialogue on critical development challenges and
on options for policies and reforms that can contribute
to shared prosperity for the people of Myanmar.
Myanmar has strong medium-term growth potential.
Efforts to open up and liberalize the economy over the
past 4 years have revealed pent up demand, brought
in new investments, and increased productivity from
a very low base. Between 2011 and 2014 Myanmar?s
economy grew at an average real rate of 7 percent per
year, which is among the fastest in East Asia, and comparable
to other high performing countries in their initial
phase of liberalization. In the coming years, further
removal of economic controls could help Myanmar to
maintain a strong pace of growth.
Myanmar has a real opportunity in ensuring
that growth is also inclusive. This not only means
sustaining a strong pace of growth, but doing so
through a diversified economy that can absorb the
labor force into higher productivity sectors. The
agriculture sector, which suffers from low productivity,
contributing on average only 10-15 percent to annual
real GDP growth over the past 4 years, employs over
half of the country?s labor force. The manufacturing and
construction sectors on the other hand, which have
the highest value added per unit of labor, employ only
10-15 percent of the labor force.
Policies that can enable a structural shift to more
productive and labor intensive activities could make
a big dent on poverty and inequality in Myanmar.
These would include expanding access to essential
public services. This could enable a bigger share of
the population to benefit from the agglomeration of
economic activities around Myanmar?s growth poles,
namely Yangon and Mandalay, which account for
roughly 35 percent of national GDP.
The sound governance and use of Myanmar?s natural
resource wealth are also critical to inclusive
growth. Around 10 percent of Myanmar?s official GDP
is derived from natural resources, though some estimate
unofficial trade in natural resources at more than
20 percent of official GDP. This not only concentrates
wealth from non-renewable national assets in the hands
of a few, but also finances conflicts, which have created
vicious cycles of poverty that are geographically and
ethnically concentrated.
Policy reforms since 2011 have started to promote
inclusion so that a growing share of Myanmar?s
people can take advantage of new opportunities
and benefit from economic growth. Higher tax collections
from non-agriculture sectors and rising natural
resource rents have enabled Myanmar to reprioritize
public spending towards critical economic and social
service needs. Foreign exchange, trade and investment
liberalization have opened up economic opportunities
and the space for investment beyond a small group of
highly protected sectors. Increased public sector transparency
and decentralization have started to gradually
bring the state closer to the people.
Given this context, how can Myanmar advance
reforms to close the disparities across its geography,
ethnic communities, and income groups; and to
promote productivity and competitiveness? This is
the question that this series of policy notes, ?All aboard!
Policies for shared prosperity in Myanmar,” aims to
generate debate and ideas. The theme ?All aboard” is
meant to reflect inclusivity and imminent departure on
a positive journey.
The policy notes focus on six interconnected areas
that are likely to be high priorities for shared prosperity
(figure 1). The first is on closing the gap in access
to social services for improving Myanmar?s human
development outcomes. This could help to strengthen
the productivity and employability of Myanmar?s current
and future labor force, which is the critical input to
inclusive growth and a precondition to success in all
the other areas. The second policy note is on growing
together by reducing poverty in rural areas. Policies
to boost agriculture productivity and accelerate the
delivery of essential services in rural areas, where they
lag the most, could help to supply the much needed
labor and food for the rapidly expanding industrial,
manufacturing and service sectors.
Investment in higher productivity sectors is also likely
to require breaking business as usual to foster competitiveness
and a dynamic environment for private
sector growth across the country, which are discussed
in the third policy note. These include policies that are
targeted at reducing the costs of doing business and
engaging in international trade. The relative impact
of these could be enormous in terms of incentivizing
private sector investments, expanding access to economic
opportunities for rural and urban populations,
and diversifying the sources of growth.
Enabling these to drive major structural transformations
in the economy is likely to require policy reforms in two
important areas. The fourth policy note therefore looks
at options to expand Myanmar?s ability for financing the
future through an open, modern, and inclusive financial
system. This is important not only for channeling savings
to large private investments, but also to finance public
sector operations and service delivery, facilitate the
expansion of international trade, and enable the transfer
of increased remittances to rural areas. The fifth policy
note is on energizing Myanmar by enhancing access to
sustainable energy for all. Myanmar?s growing economy
will need more energy than is currently supplied ? not
only for productive sectors, but also for the delivery of
public services across the country."
Habib Rab + team
Source/publisher:
World Bank
Date of publication:
2016-02-23
Date of entry/update:
2016-03-01
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Category:
World Bank and its Watchers, Economic Development, World Bank, Political, social and economic dimensions of investment in Burma, Yangon Division, Mandalay Division, Natural Resource Use, Burma/Myanmar - reports, articles etc., Agriculture in Burma/Myanmar: general and research, Energy -- general, Privatisation, Poverty and poverty-reduction in Burma/Myanmar
Language:
English, Burmese (မြန်မာဘာသာ)
Format :
pdf pdf pdf pdf
Size:
1.5 MB 2.1 MB 1.37 MB 1.57 MB
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Description:
"...After Myanmar government led by U Thein Seinhas committed for a political and economic reform in
2011, Japan International Cooperation Agency (from now, ?JICA?) started helping Myanmar. In fiscal
year 2012, Myanmar receive 227,930 millions of Yens, considering 39% of the total figure in
Southeast Asia, in a form of technical cooperation such as training, participants, experts, study
terms, provision of equipment. Also, JICA started granting an ODAin 2013. (JICA, 2015)
More than that, the fact that Myanmar liberalized the economy and promised for a democratic
transition have loosen the tension between itself and other international players. The international
institutions welcome and have more activities with Myanmar more easily. The reduction of sanction
from other countries means less trade restriction and more trading promotion including tax
exemption. All these leads to a significant economic growth and a chance for Myanmar to catch up
with other ASEAN countries before the ASEAN community starts at the end of this year. However,
just like other developing nations, the growth concentrates on a few main cities.
Mandalay, the ancient capital city locating in the north of Myanmar, has its border connecting to the
Southern part of China. Recently, the Chi
nese government has invested in the Kyaukpyu Special
Economic Zone or Kyaukpyu SEZ focusing on the energy and petrol industry. Thus, Chinese
government built the pipeline delivering gas to Yunan province. Also, The highway was built. This
highway is the ma
in linkage between China and northern part of Myanmar. Chinese capital and
consumer products have been flowed to Mandalay. Recently, Mandalay is one of a few cities that
are popular in investors? eye...".....Paper delivered at the International Conference on Burma/Myanmar Studies: Burma/Myanmar in Transition: Connectivity, Changes and Challenges: University Academic Service Centre (UNISERV), Chiang Mai University, Thailand, 24-26 July 2015.
Saibhorn Biboribankul
Source/publisher:
International Conference on Burma/Myanmar Studies: Burma/Myanmar in Transition: Connectivity, Changes and Challenges: University Academic Service Centre (UNISERV), Chiang Mai University, Thailand, 24-26 July 2015
Date of publication:
2015-07-26
Date of entry/update:
2015-09-03
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Category:
Economic Development, Economy: general, analytical, statistical (various sources), Taninthayi Division, International Conference on Burma/Myanmar Studies (ICBMS) 23-26 July, 2015
Language:
English
Format :
pdf
Size:
153.8 KB
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Description:
ABSTRACT:
"Throughout the 1990s and up to 2005, the adoption of an open-door policy substantially increased the volume of Myanmar's external trade. Imports grew more rapidly than exports in the 1990s owing to the release of pent-up consumer demand during the transition to a market economy. Accordingly, trade deficits expanded. Confronted by a shortage of foreign currency, the government after the late 1990s resorted to rigid controls over the private sector's trade activities. Despite this tightening of policy, Myanmar's external sector has improved since 2000 largely because of the emergence of new export commodities, namely garments and natural gas. Foreign direct investments in Myanmar significantly contributed to the exploration and development of new gas fields. As trade volume grew, Myanmar strengthened its trade relations with neighboring countries such as China, Thailand and India. Although the development of external trade and foreign investment inflows exerted a considerable impact on the Myanmar economy, the external sector has not yet begun to function as a vigorous engine for broad-based and sustainable development."...
Keywords: Myanmar (Burma), international trade, cross-border trade, foreign direct investment, economic development, development cooperation
PDF filepdf(274KB)
Toshihiro Kudo, Fumiharu Mieno
Source/publisher:
Institute of Developing Economies (IDE Discussion Paper 116)
Date of publication:
2007-08-00
Date of entry/update:
2008-04-22
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Language:
English
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