FOREWORD
With vast natural resources, a young and abundant population and ongoing political and economic reforms that have been enthusiastically supported by the international community, Myanmar has the potential to achieve fast economic development. The success of this process is highly dependent on the adoption of a coherent and appropriate combination of policy measures in key industrial sectors of its economy. However, a lack of information on the conditions and environment in which businesses operate presents a major obstacle in identifying effective policy options for Myanmar’s industrialization. This publication, which is aimed at filling this gap, assesses the status of the business community by presenting the results of the first-ever nationwide business survey in Myanmar. Its main purpose is to provide much needed information on businesses in Myanmar and the conditions they face. The business survey on which this book is based is part of a comprehensive policy review in Myanmar. Since the end of 2012, ESCAP and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) have jointly conducted a multi-dimensional policy review of Myanmar, in coordination with the Ministry of National Planning and Economic Development of Myanmar. The multi-dimensional policy review, which is a comprehensive policy-diagnostic approach, blends the strengths of proven ESCAP and OECD analytical instruments, tailored to the context of a multi-faceted economy with multiple opportunities and challenges. The business survey was designed to collect and analyse scarce data on firms in order to provide more specific and concrete policy recommendations for the multi-dimensional policy review, particularly in the area of supporting business initiatives in Myanmar. In other words, these recommendations need to be underpinned by a more accurate assessment of the dynamic business environment in Myanmar. Against this background, ESCAP, OECD and the Union of Myanmar Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry (UMFCCI) jointly carried out this business survey from the end of 2013 to early 2014. The survey covers all the States and Regions of Myanmar and almost all industrial sectors. The Government of Japan, The Asia Foundation, the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), the Union of Myanmar Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry (UMFCCI), the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and other agencies provided financial and in-kind support for the survey project. As a result, the survey successfully collected more than 3 000 interviews with firms, which is unprecedented in Myanmar. Although ESCAP and OECD have already published part of the survey results at a few outlets, a comprehensive publication has been requested by a number of stakeholders in order to make the entire results of the survey available to the public. Therefore, the Mekong Institute, ESCAP’s long-time strategic partner, decided to provide additional financial and technical assistance to the development of this publication on the survey results. The results of the survey, which are fully displayed in the present publication, provide better information on the situation in Myanmar’s business sector. It allows the Government of Myanmar, various development partners and other stakeholders to become equipped with better information on the present business climate as well as to contribute to the development of effective policy options for creating an enabling environment for business in Myanmar.
May 2015
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Mia Mikic Officer-in-Charge, a.i. Trade and Investment Division ESCAP