MESSAGE FROM THE MEKONG INSTITUTE
The Mekong Institute welcomes this publication on the first nation-wide business survey in Myanmar. The Mekong Institute is an intergovernmental organization working in the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS). It provides, implements and facilitates integrated human resource development, capacity-building programmes and development projects related to regional cooperation and integration issues in the GMS economies, i.e., Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Thailand, Viet Nam, and Yunnan Province and Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region of China. The organization’s current goals and strategies support the GMS Cooperation Programme and the formation of the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC), emphasizing enhanced physical connectivity in the GMS economic corridors and the realization of a single market and production base, equitable growth and sustainable resource management. To achieve these goals, the Mekong Institute seeks to assist emerging economies such as Myanmar in making the transition from an isolated and controlled economy to one that is integrated and liberalized. In Myanmar, however, the lack of information on business conditions on the ground is a serious obstacle to the development of appropriate policies that enable reform. By providing much-needed information, this survey will be of substantial benefit to policymakers, businesses and investors in Myanmar. A strong, open and healthy economy in Myanmar will be of tremendous value to the Greater Mekong Subregion. The Mekong Institute would like to extend its gratitude to ESCAP, OECD, UMFCCI and other agencies for their cooperation in the development of the Myanmar business survey.
Watcharas Leelawath Director Mekong Institute
May 2015
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