Asian Development Bank (ADB) and its watchers (Burma/Myanmar)
Websites/Multiple Documents
Description:
Many links from this page
Source/publisher:
Asian Development Bank (ADB)
Date of publication:
2003-09-15
Date of entry/update:
2012-04-12
Grouping:
Websites/Multiple Documents
Language:
English
more
Description:
Project records contain Project Data Sheets (summary information on projects or programs), project and evaluation documents, business opportunities and other information. See the Project FAQs.
Source/publisher:
Asian Development Bank (ADB)
Date of entry/update:
2012-11-26
Grouping:
Websites/Multiple Documents
Language:
English
more
Description:
Background...
Country Strategies...
Project Monitor...
Resources...
Contact.....
"After a 25 year-long absence, International Financial Institutions (IFIs) returned to Burma in 2012 in support of the country?s political and economic transitions.
Following the election of the civilian government in November 2010, the leadership of President Thein Sein indicated, in the eyes of the international community, signs of reform.
International donors such as the World Bank Group (WBG) and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) sought to support the reform process by deploying their staff, opening their country office, conducting assessments, rolling out their interim investment plans, and funding a few projects. Since their formal re-engagement in 2012, these multilateral institutions have stepped up their lending and non-lending activities.
The civil society organizations of Burma, both those that are based inside and on the border of the country, were very clear in reminding the IFIs to avoid rushing into a country where the military still exerts a huge influence over the government (25% of the seats in Parliament are reserved for military personnel) and military cronies dominate the formal economic sector. However, donors continue to exhibit an overwhelmingly positive view about the prospects of Burma?s political and economic reforms and have already moved ahead with multi-million dollar projects..."
Source/publisher:
Bank Information Centre (BiC) - "Amplifying Local Voices to Democratic Development"
Date of entry/update:
2015-03-28
Grouping:
Websites/Multiple Documents
Category:
Asian Development Bank (ADB) and its watchers (Burma/Myanmar), All international financial institutions (IFIs) and their watchers
Language:
English
more
Description:
Watches ADB projects in the Mekong region
Date of entry/update:
2010-08-11
Grouping:
Websites/Multiple Documents
Category:
Asian Development Bank (ADB) and its watchers (Burma/Myanmar), Publications on the environment of Burma/Myanmar
Language:
English
more
Description:
Not much specifically on Burma/Myanmar.
Source/publisher:
NGO Forum on ADB
Date of entry/update:
2003-06-03
Grouping:
Websites/Multiple Documents
Category:
Asian Development Bank (ADB) and its watchers (Burma/Myanmar), Asian Development Bank (ADB) and its watchers (general, thematic)
Language:
English
more
Individual Documents
Sub-title:
This tool kit comprises information on how to create a shared vision for digital health through a national strategy, focused on maximizing the value of resources.
Description:
"Digital health (also known as eHealth) is the application of information and communication technology
(ICT) solutions in the health system. Digital health systems must be interlinked if they are to ensure reliable
and robust communications between health centers, laboratories, clinics, and medical offices, and the wider
telecommunication infrastructure. They should include reliable and user-friendly devices; integration of ICT
and information management skills into the training of health workers, content that reflects local languages
and culture, and surveillance systems for health risks and emergencies. The use of ICT in health supports the
collection of health data, which can be analyzed and interpreted for decision-making purposes. However,
a lack of health information system (HIS) policies for health information system, vertically structured and
siloed health programs, and fragmented HISs are typical constraints in less-developed countries.1
When countries try to introduce digital health solutions, it is common to run into difficulties that start with
understanding what digital health solutions are needed, and how they can be best implemented to support
countries to overcome their health-related challenges. This is particularly acute in resource-constrained
settings. A shared vision is essential to overcoming these difficulties, building capacity in digital health, and
setting plans of action.
Digital health can be defined as a broad range of informatics applications for facilitating the management and
delivery of health care, including dissemination of health-related information, storage and exchange of clinical
data, interprofessional communication, computer-based support of patient–provider interaction, education,
health service management, health communities, and telemedicine, among other functions. Digital health
encompasses mobile health (mHealth) which involves the provision of health services and information via
mobile technologies.2
Digital health is also related to electronically connecting up the points of care so that
health information can be shared securely..."
Source/publisher:
Asia Development Bank (ADB)
Date of publication:
2018-11-26
Date of entry/update:
2019-07-09
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Language:
Format :
pdf
Size:
3.4 MB
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Sub-title:
This new strategy for transport development in the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) consists of a strategic framework covering 2018–2030 and a set of performance indicators initially covering 2018–2022.
Description:
"Cooperation in the transport sector has
been at the core of the Greater Mekong
Subregion (GMS) Economic Cooperation
Program (hereinafter GMS Program) since
its inception in 1992. The main thrust of the GMS
Program was eliminating the barriers to cooperation.
The significant lack of connectivity was a critical
constraint on economic relations among the GMS
countries.
The initial effort to pursue a coordinated approach to
establishing links and developing the transport sector
in the GMS was made in 1994 through the Subregional
Transport Sector Study for the Greater Mekong
Subregion (hereinafter GMS Transport Sector Study),
which examined the (i) most important links that
need to be established, (ii) most suitable modes for
such links, (iii) criteria for prioritizing system elements,
and (iv) possible phasing of development.1
The GMS
Transport Sector Study identified a set of subregional
transport projects covering road, rail, water, and air
transport.
It guided GMS transport cooperation during 1994–
2005, with the list of projects being updated and
refined over time. The priority projects in the GMS
Transport Sector Study became the backbone of the
GMS East–West Economic Corridor (EWEC), the
North–South Economic Corridor (NSEC), and the
Southern Economic Corridor (SEC) when the GMS
countries adopted the economic corridor concept
in 1998. They also constituted the first set of GMS
transport projects—e.g., the Phnom Penh–Ho Chi
Minh City Highway, the East–West Corridor Project,
and the Northern Economic Corridor (Boten–
Houayxay) Project—that were implemented under the
GMS Program. As these projects neared completion,
the need to address policy and regulatory issues
involving the movement of people and goods across
borders became urgent. The GMS Cross-Border
Transport Facilitation Agreement (CBTA) was thus
initiated in 1999 to complement hardware with
software of connectivity in the GMS..."
Source/publisher:
Asia Development Bank (ADB)
Date of publication:
2018-11-30
Date of entry/update:
2019-07-09
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Category:
Asian Development Bank (ADB) and its watchers (Burma/Myanmar), Burma's economic relations with ASEAN, ASEAN-Burma relations
Language:
Format :
pdf
Size:
4.17 MB
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Topic:
The Greater Mekong Subregion Partnership
Sub-title:
This publication tells the success story of the Greater Mekong Subregion in vivid images, data, and narratives.
Topic:
The Greater Mekong Subregion Partnership
Description:
"The six GMS member countries are Cambodia, the
Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Lao PDR), Myanmar,
the People’s Republic of China (PRC), Thailand, and
Viet Nam. In the PRC, the GMS includes the Guangxi
Zhuang Autonomous Region and Yunnan Province.
With its 340 million people, vast array of landscapes,
multitude of ethnic groups, and differing development
histories and trajectories, the GMS is a diverse
and dynamic region. However, the six countries
also share many opportunities and challenges that
transcend national boundaries. Economic integration,
environmental sustainability, and adaptation to climate
change are but a few examples.
Recognizing that their combined efforts would have a
greater development impact, the six countries launched
the GMS Economic Cooperation Program in 1992.
The Asian Development Bank was chosen to serve as
the program’s secretariat. During its first decade, the
GMS Program initiated activities slowly but steadily,
focusing on a relatively small selection of energy and
road infrastructure projects.
The damaging Asian financial crisis of 1997 spurred
the countries to strengthen their cooperation.
In 2002, for example, a 10-year GMS Strategic
Framework was endorsed by the national leaders at
their first GMS summit. The countries committed
themselves to a joint vision of an integrated, prosperous,
and equitable subregion. This was to be achieved by
enhancing connectivity, improving competitiveness,
and building a strong sense of community (the “3 Cs”).
During its second decade, the GMS Program made
important progress in building roads and other “hard”
infrastructure. Successful projects were also initiated
in sectors such as agriculture, environment, trade
facilitation, human resource development, and tourism.
By 2012, GMS cooperation was well established
across nine priority sectors, and the member countries
embarked on a new and more ambitious 10-year strategy.
The focus shifted firmly toward creating “economic
corridors,” with a range of investments designed to
leverage the transport infrastructure that had been
built during the prior 2 decades. This new strategy also
emphasized an increase in multisector investments,
as well as policy and institutional reforms. A regional
investment framework was then developed to identify
country priorities and guide investments.
Five years into this new strategy, and now a quarter
century old, the maturing GMS Program continues
to deliver significant results. More than $20 billion in
investments have been directly channeled through
the program since 1992. These have helped the GMS
countries to diversify, strengthen, and integrate their
economies. They have also significantly contributed..."
Source/publisher:
Asia Development Bank (ADB)
Date of publication:
2018-12-11
Date of entry/update:
2019-07-09
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Language:
Format :
pdf
Size:
7.25 MB
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Sub-title:
This study looks into the role of special economic zones in strengthening competitiveness of economic corridors in the Greater Mekong Subregion.
Description:
"A special economic zone (SEZ) conjures up many images, from a bonded warehouse
district in a port to the fishing village of Shenzhen in the People’s Republic of China (PRC)
that became a metropolis of 14 million people. The International Labour Organization’s
database grew from 176 SEZs in 47 countries in 1986 to 3,500 SEZs in 130 countries 20 years later.
Surveying the phenomenon, Farole and Akinci (2011, 3) provide a broad definition of SEZs as:
demarcated geographic areas contained within a country’s national boundaries where
the rules of business are different from those that prevail in the national territory. These
differential rules principally deal with investment conditions, international trade and
customs, taxation, and the regulatory environment; whereby the zone is given a business
environment that is intended to be more liberal from a policy perspective and more
effective from an administrative perspective than that of the national territory.
SEZs have generated a large literature, much of which is inconclusive because there are many
varieties of economic zones that have been called “special.”
However, the wealth of accumulated case studies does offer some patterns. The initial emphasis
on export promotion zones that operated as enclaves with little potential for dynamic growth has
been largely displaced by a model in which the SEZ has physical, strategic, and financial links to
the local economy. This development can be related to the growth of global value chains (GVCs),
especially in East Asia, over the last 30–40 years. Multiuse development has often replaced the
earlier narrow focus on manufacturing, with information and communication services playing a
key role. The success of SEZs appears to be related to the infrastructure they provide (transport,
reliable power supply, etc.) and streamlining of regulations, rather than to the tax and other
financial incentives used to promote early SEZs. Finally, increasing numbers of SEZs are private,
although some state-financed SEZs continue to be successful..."
Source/publisher:
Asia Development Bank (ADB)
Date of publication:
2018-11-30
Date of entry/update:
2019-07-09
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Category:
Asian Development Bank (ADB) and its watchers (Burma/Myanmar), Burma's economic relations with ASEAN, ASEAN-Burma relations
Language:
Format :
pdf
Size:
5.5 MB
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Title: Strategic Environmental Assessments for Power Sector Planning in the Greater Mekong Subregion
Sub-title:
This publication shows how strategic environmental assessments can help the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) countries create sustainable national power development plans.
Description:
"Over the past decade, strategic environmental assessment
(SEA) has emerged as an increasingly important planning tool
in the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS). SEAs help policy
makers better understand and integrate the environmental,
social, and economic dimensions of strategies, plans, and
programs. They are particularly important for power sector
planning because the social and environmental impacts
of such plans can be very significant and are often a major
concern for governments and communities. Experience
in the GMS, as well as further afield, shows that more
sustainable and successful planning choices are made when
these impacts are properly considered.
The further uptake of SEAs in power sector planning in the
subregion is needed to help seize opportunities that are
emerging in the evolving energy landscape. Technological
and economic transformations are making renewable energy
an increasingly attractive and viable energy option for the
GMS countries as elsewhere in the world. This trend aligns
well with the national development policy priorities of all
six countries as they increasingly emphasize green growth,
climate change mitigation, and sustainable development.
Using an SEA to support the preparation of power
development plans can guide decisions on which energy
generation options are optimal. It can ensure that these
decisions are based on an understanding of the full economic
costs and benefits to a country, rather than just shorter-term
financial ones, as has traditionally been the case. An SEA
enables planners to identify the potential negative impacts
of different generation options. These impacts can lead to
significant increases in costs and delays if not identified
before the planning stage of projects.
The integration of an SEA in power development
planning enables energy sector investments to be quicker,
more transparent, and more closely aligned to national
development priorities. An SEA can also guide decisions on
the most economical locations to invest in and help to ensure
minimal impacts on communities and the environment.
Since 2006, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) has
been providing technical assistance through the GMS Core
Environment Program (CEP) to help mainstream the use of
SEAs in the GMS countries, including for power development
planning. This publication outlines the key characteristics
of SEA, discusses global trends in energy technologies and
markets, and looks at how Viet Nam, with support from
the CEP, has integrated SEAs into its power development
planning process. It also identifies priority steps for further
mainstreaming SEAs in power sector planning in the
GMS countries..."
Source/publisher:
Asia Development Bank (ADB)
Date of publication:
2018-12-04
Date of entry/update:
2019-07-09
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Language:
Format :
pdf
Size:
1.27 MB
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Sub-title:
ADB operations in Myanmar address the strategic areas of infrastructure connectivity, human capital and skills development, and structural and institutional reform to improve the inclusiveness of the country’s economic growth.
Description:
"Building on successful political and
economic transformation, Myanmar is
emerging as a prosperous nation. The
country possesses abundant natural
resources, a strategic location at the
crossroads of Asia, a young population,
and a sizable market with wide-ranging
investment opportunities.
However, much remains to be done to
maintain stability in the country, both on
the macroeconomic front and in terms
of peace and reconciliation. Myanmar
needs to address significant gaps in
infrastructure and human resources,
which constrain social and economic
development. The reform agenda
should also continue progressing toward
good governance, effective public sector
management, and a conducive business
environment.
The Asian Development Bank (ADB)
commenced reengagement with
Myanmar in early 2012. ADB has since
been supporting the country’s national
development strategies and priority
programs in collaboration with other
development partners..."
Source/publisher:
Asia Development Bank (ADB)
Date of publication:
2019-04-16
Date of entry/update:
2019-07-08
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Language:
Format :
pdf
Size:
124.6 KB
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Description:
"The content of the publication Development Without Women Is Not Development: Why Gender
Matters to the Asian Development Bank—drawn from various articles of the bi-annually published
SEAGEN Waves Newsletter: Gender and Development News—was produced by Uzma S. Hoque, former
senior social sector specialist (Gender and Development) of the Southeast Asia Department, Asian
Development Bank (ADB). Assistance provided by Karen Emmons in the preparation of individual
feature stories as part of a broader compilation of women’s narratives in Southeast Asia is recognized.
The support of Laurence Levaque, senior social sector specialist (Gender and Development), Rikard
Elfving, senior social sector specialist, Zonibel Woods, senior gender specialist and Southeast Asia
Department national gender consultants (former and present) Leavides G. Domingo-Cabarrubias,
Claire Angeline P. Luczon, and Joanne Carmela Barriga Quintana, in the coordination and completion
of the booklet, is greatly appreciated. Gender specialists, Chandy Chea, Theonakhet Saphakdy, Giang T.
Nguyen, and colleagues from ADB resident missions in Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao People’s Democratic
Republic, Myanmar, and Viet Nam have assisted in the collection of narratives and photos from their
respective countries. Administration support was facilitated by Maria Angelica Magali Vivar and Ruchel
Marie Grace Rea Roque-Villaroman.
Thanks is extended to the Department of Communications for their assistance in publishing
the booklet. Coordination support has been carried out by Ma. Katrina M. Fernando from ADB
Department of Communications. Proofreading services were rendered by Ma. Theresa Arago.
Edith Creus prepared the layout design for the booklet.
The women in Southeast Asia, whose stories are presented in the publication, are gratefully
acknowledged. Their narratives articulate aspirations toward empowerment and inspire ADB’s
commitment on accelerating progress in gender equality as prioritized in the ADB’s Strategy 2030:
Achieving a Prosperous, Inclusive, Resilient, and Sustainable Asia and the Pacific..."
Source/publisher:
Asia Development Bank (ADB)
Date of publication:
2019-05-31
Date of entry/update:
2019-07-08
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Category:
Asian Development Bank (ADB) and its watchers (Burma/Myanmar), Articles, reports and sites relating to women of Burma, Women's rights
Language:
Format :
pdf
Size:
1.67 MB
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Description:
"Myanmar is in the midst of a historic transition from a closed and isolated command
economy to an increasingly open market economy. As it progresses, the country
faces several development challenges such as widespread poverty, poor and inadequate
infrastructure, low levels of entrepreneurship and industrialization, suppressed private
sector, and underdeveloped markets. Among these challenges, Myanmar’s housing sector
is struggling to cope with rapid urbanization, internal migration, and new demand arising
from recent economic growth, particularly in the larger metropolitan districts of Yangon
and Mandalay. To address this issue, Schedule 2 of the Constitution has assigned the
management of the housing sector, including urban development, to the states and the
regions. Therefore, the Yangon Region Government (YRG) has a responsibility for creating
an enabling environment for the development and modernization of the housing sector.
One of the key constraints to developing the housing sector and increasing the supply of
dwelling units to meet the growing demand of low- to lower middle-income households is
the lack of long-term financing. With the support of the Union-level Department of Urban
and Housing Development (DUHD) under the Ministry of Construction (MOC), only three
financial sources are available. These are the MOC-constituted revolving fund, annual
government budget allocation, and project financing from the Construction, Housing and
Infrastructure Development Bank (CHID Bank). Given the limited resources, DUHD was
able to supply a little over 9,200 units in 2016, which is nowhere close to the actual existing
and emerging demand.
This study was carried out to help the YRG to formulate housing market reform options,
offer practical recommendations to address market failures, and support the YRG in the
implemention of its affordable housing agenda and development of related policies..."
Source/publisher:
Asia Development Bank (ADB)
Date of publication:
2019-05-28
Date of entry/update:
2019-07-08
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Language:
Format :
pdf
Size:
1.23 MB
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Description:
''The South Asia Subregional Economic Cooperation (SASEC) Program was established in 2001 by Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, and Nepal. Maldives and Sri Lanka followed in 2014, and Myanmar joined in February 2017. SASEC focuses on resolving various development constraints through regional cooperation among its members, thereby complementing shared national aspirations for inclusive and sustainable growth. The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is the lead financier and supporter of SASEC and serves as its secretariat.
SASEC is project oriented and currently prioritizes transport, trade facilitation, and energy. The SASEC Operational Plan 2016–2025 delineates the program’s priorities, including multisector economic corridor development and a pipeline of projects.1 Since 2001, SASEC has implemented 49 regional investment projects totaling around $11 billion.
In April 2017, the SASEC Vision document—SASEC: Powering Asia in the 21st Century—was launched at the SASEC Finance Ministers Meeting in New Delhi, India.2 This document identifies regional and subregional opportunities to harness natural and human resources, industrial potential, and infrastructure connectivity through regional cooperation.
Because Myanmar joined SASEC only 2 months before the vision document was launched, it was not included in the original version. This chapter, which was prepared in close consultation with the Government of Myanmar and the private sector, updates the SASEC Vision document...''
Source/publisher:
Asian Development Bank (ADB)
Date of publication:
2019-01-10
Date of entry/update:
2019-01-16
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Language:
English
Format :
pdf
Size:
483.37 KB
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Description:
ABSTRACT: "Recognizing the need to formulate policy strategies for the changes it faces, Myanmar started a
multifaceted reform process in 2011. But speeding up development requires a multipronged but more
coherent strategy targeted at strong and resilient growth, employment generation and, ultimately, rapid
reduction of poverty. The government needs to carefully prioritize and sequence reforms, and identify
and address the constraints to allow acceleration of economic growth by expanding the large domestic
market and developing a vibrant manufacturing export sector that can generate substantial
employment. This paper briefly reviews Myanmar?s history and its legacy, examines the economy and
some of the main policy reforms undertaken since 2011, assesses development potential, and outlines
medium- and long-term growth strategy based on the country?s specific context and international best
experiences and practices...
Keywords: economic diversification, macroeconomic stability.....CONCLUSION: "Substantially accelerating Myanmar?s development will require a clear and multipronged development
strategy. This should be targeted at strong and resilient growth, employment generation, and,
ultimately, at the rapid reduction of pervasive poverty. Reform measures will need to be carefully
prioritized and sequenced, and constraints to growth need to be identified and addressed to accelerate
economic growth by expanding the large domestic market and developing a vibrant manufacturing
export sector that can generate substantial employment.
One of the key components of a successful strategy for growth is good governance backed by
effective institutional, legal, and regulatory frameworks. Priority should be given to establishing these
frameworks for the delivery of public services. The capacity of core policy-making institutions in
Myanmar right now is limited and needs to be strengthened to make reforms effective and sustainable.
Capacity building and the reform of public administration in the key policy decision-making bodies,
which require a degree of independence and coordination mechanisms to facilitate cooperation
among them, is crucial..."
Ronald Findlay, Cyn-Young Park, Jean-Pierre A. Verbiest
Source/publisher:
Asian Development Bank (ADB) - ADB Economics Working Paper Series - 437
Date of publication:
2015-07-00
Date of entry/update:
2015-08-03
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Language:
English
Format :
pdf
Size:
525.92 KB
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Description:
ABSTRACT:
Since 2010, Myanmar has been in the midst of a multifaceted transition, involving economic reforms,
the resolution of multiple long-standing civil conflicts, and a nascent transition to democratic rule.
These transitions are coinciding with a resource
-led economic boom. The paper assesses the current
status of governance institutions, as well as their performance, in comparison to the Association of
Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and selected other countries. Specifically, the paper discusses
outstanding problem areas related to economic governance, particularly in the legal system, the
business regulatory framework, and
in bureaucratic capacity as well
as the potential use of external
policy anchors, particularly in the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) process, to
strengthen Myanmar?s ongoing reform effort...
Keywords:
Myanmar, governance, economic reform, peace
process, property rights, resource curse.....CONTENTS:
TABLES AND FIGURES...
I. INTRODUCTION...
II. CROSS-NATIONAL INDICATORS OF GOVERNANCE...
III. ONGOING ECONOMIC GOVERNANCE REFORMS:
A. Property Rights;
and Factor Markets;
B. Corporate Governance;
C. Bureaucratic Capacity...
IV. ENGAGING CIVIL SOCIETY
AND THE PEACE PROCESS:
A. Civil Society;
B. Peace Process...
V. EXTERNAL POLICY ANCHORS AND THE EXTRACTIVE INDUSTRIES TRANSPARENCY INITIATIVE:
A. Resource Development Context;
B. The Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative...
VI. CONCLUSIONS...
REFERENCES.
Cullen Hendrix, Marcus Noland
Source/publisher:
Asian Development Bank (ADB) - ADB Economics Working Paper Series - 428
Date of publication:
2015-03-00
Date of entry/update:
2015-04-05
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Language:
English
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Description:
"...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..."
Source/publisher:
Asian Development Bank (ADB)
Date of publication:
2014-08-00
Date of entry/update:
2014-10-02
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Language:
English
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Description:
"...This report is structured as follows. First, the New Energy
Architecture methodology is outlined. In Step 1, the performance
of the country?s current energy architecture is assessed. Step
2 describes the setting of the objectives of the New Energy
Architecture. Step 3 outlines insights to support the development
of a New Energy Architecture, and highlights potential risks in
achieving this. Step 4 then discusses the need for leadership and
multistakeholder partnerships to support the implementation of a
New Energy Architecture in Myanmar..."
Source/publisher:
World Economic Forum, Asian Development Bank (ADB), Accenture
Date of publication:
2013-06-00
Date of entry/update:
2013-07-01
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Language:
English
Format :
pdf
Size:
4.21 MB
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Description:
"Policy reforms stimulated economic growth last year and are expected to drive further development
during the forecast period. Inflation is projected to remain moderate. Improved economic prospects
have sparked a surge of interest from foreign investors. Achieving the country?s potential depends on
maintaining momentum on the government?s reform agenda..."...N.B. there is a lot of material on Myanmar, e.g. in the statistics, not included in the Myanmar pages
Source/publisher:
Asian Development Bank (ADB)
Date of publication:
2013-04-09
Date of entry/update:
2013-04-10
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Language:
English
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Description:
Abstract: "The paper tabulates Myanmar?s merchandise trade as reported by its partner
countries, thereby circumventing the data constraints stemming from Myanmar?s
patchy trade records. It then estimates Myanmar?s export potential, based on the
bilateral export patterns observed for six other countries in Southeast Asia.
Against that benchmark and controlling for outliers, Myanmar is found to be
trading at about 15% its potential. The bulk of this gap is explained by very low
trade with the industrialized countries. Through reintegration with the world
economy accompanied by deep economic re
forms domestically, Myanmar would
be expected to be closing this gap rather swiftly."...
Keywords: Myanmar, gravity model, export potential
Benno Ferrarini
Source/publisher:
Asian Development Bank (ADB) ADB Economics Working Paper SeriesNo. 325
Date of publication:
2013-01-00
Date of entry/update:
2013-04-09
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Language:
English
Format :
pdf
Size:
836.04 KB
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Description:
"Myanmar joined the Asian Development Bank (ADB) in 1973, but it has not received
direct assistance in more than 20 years. ADB?s last loan and technical assistance
projects for Myanmar were approved in 1986 and 1987, respectively. ADB continues to
monitor economic developments in Myanmar, and will formulate an operational strategy
when appropriate.
Myanmar is a participating member of the Greater Mekong Subregion Economic
Cooperation Program (GMS Program), the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral
Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC), and the Association of Southeast
Asian Nations (ASEAN). Myanmar participates in regional meetings and workshops
along with other GMS and ASEAN member countries.
ADB has maintained close coordination with the International Monetary Fund, the
World Bank, and the United Nations Development Programme, with an emphasis on
assessing the government?s economic reform program and recommended policy
actions. ADB liaises with Myanmar?s major bilateral donors regarding the status of their
assistance programs.
ADB cooperates with civil society organizations to strengthen the effectiveness,
quality, and sustainability of the services it provides. To this end, ADB regularly shares
its experiences and expertise with international nongovernment organizations that are
undertaking development activities in Myanmar..."
Source/publisher:
Asian Development Bank (ADB)
Date of publication:
2011-12-31
Date of entry/update:
2012-11-28
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Language:
English
more
Description:
Description:
In order to have a better understanding of Myanmar?s energy sector, an ADB mission visited Myanmar from 20 through 30 September 2011. The information and findings gathered during the mission served in drafting an initial assessment of the sector. Subsequently, the assessment has been updated to reflect the findings of follow-up ADB missions and consultations with the government...
The Report:
Clearly, strengthening Myanmar?s energy sector is critical to reducing poverty and enhancing the medium and long-term development prospects of the country. Electrification is an urgent requirement, without which whole areas of the country will be severely hampered in their efforts to advance economically. Social progress also depends on electrification, without which health, education, and other essential services inevitably suffer. There are many dimensions to the sector and they must be addressed comprehensively and systematically so as to ensure efficient and effective use of resources. While electrification, especially of rural areas, is of primary concern, issues of sustainability and protection of the environment must be considered simultaneously...
Conclusions:
Drawing from this initial assessment of the energy sector, but with the caveat that a comprehensive assessment is needed, Myanmar?s development partners—in consultation with the government—could begin considering support for the sector by focusing on several apparent priorities including:
Source/publisher:
Asian Development Bank (ADB)
Date of publication:
2012-10-00
Date of entry/update:
2012-11-27
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Category:
General articles and reports, Asian Development Bank (ADB) and its watchers (Burma/Myanmar)
Language:
English
more
Description:
MANILA, PHILIPPINES – The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and Norway will help Myanmar cope with an exploding tourism sector with a $225,000 grant designed to generate a sustainable tourism master plan.
?Myanmar is undergoing a period of dramatic change, and the skyrocketing number of tourists visiting the country is already putting existing tourism infrastructure under enormous strain,? said Putu Kamayana, Head of ADB?s Extended Mission in Myanmar. ?To ensure benefits of the burgeoning tourism industry are sustainable and extend to more of Myanmar?s people, the country needs a comprehensive plan that respects culture and the environment.?
Source/publisher:
Asian Development Bank (ADB)
Date of publication:
2012-10-11
Date of entry/update:
2012-11-26
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Category:
Asian Development Bank (ADB) and its watchers (Burma/Myanmar), Sustainable/ethical/responsible tourism (Burma/Myanmar)
Language:
English
more
Description:
I. INTRODUCTION:
1. "This sector assessment (summary) provides the background to the identification of
issues, constraints, and threats to, as well as the government?s priority reforms in support of
fiscal sustainability, macroeconomic stability and public finance. It focuses on key cross-cutting
strategic issues such as macroeconomic institutions and monetary policy, tax policy and
administration, and public financial management. This assessment draws on the sector
assessment for Macroeconomic Assessment and ongoing ADB diagnostic work"...
II. SECTOR ASSESSMENT: CONTEXT AND STRATEGIC ISSUES -
A. Context:
Economic growth; Macroeconomic instability; Fiscal policy...B. Strategic Issues - Fiscal Policy; Lifting priority spending through further tax revenue effort - (i) Sources of revenues are limited; (ii) The tax structure is complicated; (iii) Tax administration is weak; 9. Medium-term sustainable priority spending requires improving efficiency in public
expenditure management; Public Debt Sustainability; A key medium term policy reform to support fiscal sustainability will be public
debt management; Monetary and Exchange Rate Policy...III. GOVERNMENT?S SECTOR POLICY AND PLANNING FRAMEWORK...
Source/publisher:
Asian Development Bank (ADB)
Date of publication:
2012-09-00
Date of entry/update:
2012-09-28
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Language:
English
Format :
pdf
Size:
48.51 KB
Local URL:
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Description:
I. INTRODUCTION:
"This economic reform assessment (summary) provides the background to the
identification of issues, constraints, and threats to, as well as the government?s priority reforms
in support of achieving inclusive growth. It focuses on key cross-cutting strategic issues such as
business climate reforms, trade policy liberalization, measures to improve trade facilitation, and
financial sector development. It also touches on the need to implement structural policy reforms
on a sector-by-sector basis."...II. CONTEXT AND STRATEGIC ISSUES: Context; Economic growth performance has been mixed; Structural transformation of the economy has been relatively slow; Long term economic growth has been relatively low; Macroeconomic effects of the resource sector on the non-resource sector; Limited trade integration with global markets; Low investment rate; Underdeveloped financial sector...B. Strategic issues: While the Government has initiated steps towards a more market economy for private
sector to grow and develop, much more needs to be done to improve the environment for
private sector development. At the macroeconomic level the challenge will be to manage the
potentially adverse effects of the resource boom on the competitiveness of the non-resource
sector. At the microeconomic level the challenge will be to advance reforms to reduce
transaction costs of doing business and creating a level playing field between firms, or a
competitive neutral policy environment. This will need to be done through addressing the
complex business licensing system, trade liberalization, measures to improve trade facilitation,
promoting competition in domestic markets, and SME access to business development services
and technology, credit, and skilled labor, and strengthening the institutional framework for SME
policy making; Managing the impact of the resource boom on the growth and development of the
non-resource sector; Business climate reforms; Institutionalizing regulatory review processes; Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) development; Restrictive trade policy and inefficient trade facilitation; Competition policy; State economic enterprises (SEE) reform; Financial sector development...III. GOVERNMENT?S SECTOR POLICY AND PLANNING FRAMEWORK...IV. ADB?S SECTOR EXPERIENCE AND ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
Source/publisher:
Asian Development Bank (ADB)
Date of publication:
2012-09-00
Date of entry/update:
2012-09-28
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Language:
English
more
Description:
Description:
"In response to ongoing major reform moves by the Government of Myanmar, ADB is now preparing a re-engagement strategy (interim country partnership strategy), which will guide our approach towards full resumption of operations. The interim strategy provides the framework for rapid reengagement, while affording the space required for further analytical work, capacity building, policy dialogue, and broad-based consultations with all development stakeholders, leading to a fully-fledged country partnership strategy. The interim strategy, as summarized in the consultation draft, is informed by ADB?s initial economic and sector assessments on Myanmar, as well as consultations with the country?s government, development partners, civil society, and the business community during the period June to August 2012. The proposed interim strategy envisions a highly consultative process to form the basis of the ensuing full country partnership strategy.
The documents provided on this page are drafts for consultation purposes. Comments on the draft are most welcome. Email contact...."
Linked Document(s):
Sector Assessment (Summary): Agriculture and Natural Resources...
Sector Assessment (Summary): Energy...
Sector Assessment (Summary): Transport...
Sector Assessment (Summary): Urban Development and Water Sector...
Economic Analysis (Summary)...
Poverty Analysis (Summary)...
Gender Analysis (Summary)...
Environment Assessment (Summary)...
Regional Cooperation and Integration (Summary)...
Economic Reform (Summary)...
Initial Assessment (Summary): Post-Primary Education.
Source/publisher:
Asian Development Bank (ADB)
Date of publication:
2012-09-00
Date of entry/update:
2012-09-20
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Language:
English
more
Description:
The Key Indicators for Asia and the Pacific 2012 (Key Indicators), the 43rd edition of this series, includes the latest available economic, financial, social, and environmental indicators for the 48 regional members of the Asian Development Bank (ADB). This publication aims to present the latest key statistics on development issues concerning the economies of Asia and the Pacific to a wide audience, including policy makers, development practitioners, government officials, researchers, students, and the general public. Part I of this issue of the Key Indicators is a special chapter—Green Urbanization in Asia. Parts II and III comprise of brief, non-technical analyses and statistical tables on the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and seven other themes. This year, the second edition of the Framework of Inclusive Growth Indicators, a special supplement to Key Indicators is also included.
The statistical tables in this issue of the Key Indicators may also be downloaded in MS Excel format from this website or in user-specified format at SDBS Online.
Source/publisher:
Asian Development Bank (ADB)
Date of publication:
2012-08-00
Date of entry/update:
2012-08-21
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Language:
English
more
Description:
Asian Development Bank?s Vice President for East Asia, Southeast Asia and the Pacific, Stephen P. Groff, explains how Myanmar could become a ?middle-income? country and why the Bank is optimistic about Myanmar?s future.
Stephen P. Groff
Source/publisher:
Asian Development Bank (ADB)
Date of publication:
2012-08-20
Date of entry/update:
2012-08-20
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Language:
English
more
Description:
"Myanmar, which is emerging from decades of isolation, is poised to accelerate its economic
growth on the back of its abundant labor force, rich natural resources, and geographical
location. But the country faces many development challenges to achieve strong and inclusive
growth. To take advantage of its rich potential and endowments, Myanmar can also use its
strategic location between the People?s Republic of China and India, and act as a conduit
between South and Southeast Asia.
In order to sustain its growth momentum in the long run, Myanmar should aim for a
growth trajectory that is inclusive, equitable, and environmentally sustainable. This special
report assesses the country?s strengths and weaknesses and highlights the challenges and risks.
The key lies in prioritizing the actions to surmount the challenges and introducing the requisite
reforms."...Executive summary: "...The course of Myanmar?s future growth can be guided by three complementary development
strategies: regional integration, inclusiveness, and environmental sustainability. Furthermore, given
the myriad challenges the country faces and the limited resources at its disposal, the interventions can be prioritized and reforms sequenced for the maximum benefits.
Key development agendas include the following:
• Provide macroeconomic stability. A stable macro environment provides a foundation for investment and long-term growth. Key elements of sound macroeconomic policy include low and stable inflation; a sustainable fiscal position; and a flexible, market-based exchange rate....
• Mobilize resources for investment. Increased domestic and foreign savings are critical to meeting the enormous requirements of the private and public sectors. In addition, higher government revenues (e.g., taxation] and more efficient financial intermediation will also help to provide sustainable financing for development....
• Improve infrastructure and human capital. The removal of structural impediments in the key areas of education, health, and infrastructure can provide a basis for human capital development and improve connectivity....
• Diversify into industry and services, while improving agriculture. Broadening the economic base beyond primary industries can raise productivity and value addition. Yet agriculture, fisheries, and resource industries are not to be neglected as they contain considerable potential for expansion....
• Reduce the state?s role in production. A further reduction in the government?s ownership and control of productive activities can help spur competition and increase investment by creating a level playing field....
• Strengthen government institutions. Economic transformation can be supported by effective government institutions, although building institutions and their capacity may take time. Attention might focus on nurturing administrative and regulatory systems; managing resources; and, most importantly, enhancing the capabilities of government personnel throughout the system.
Source/publisher:
Asian Development Bank (ADB)
Date of publication:
2012-08-20
Date of entry/update:
2012-08-20
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Language:
English
Format :
pdf
Size:
1.21 MB
Local URL:
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Description:
CONCLUSION:
Burma still lacks sound economic policy, and the state is unwilling to reconcile
with ethnic armed groups. Foreign direct investment in Burma is concentrated
in energy and extractive sectors and often results in militarization, displacement
and human rights abuses in ethnic areas. The facilitation and mobilization of
private investment is having and will continue to have a major impact on the
environment and communities, particularly in ethnic areas where the majority
of natural resources remain. Current foreign investment is not reducing
poverty but reinforcing the current power structures, and the vast majority of
citizens in Burma are excluded from the benefits of development.
Until the people of Burma can meaningfully participate in development
decisions, preconditions for responsible investment are in place, and adverse
impacts can be mitigated, then the ADB should refrain from any form of new
engagement with Burma. If they do engage (i.e., fund, facilitate, administer)
in Burma, the ADB must follow the International Financial Corporation?s
?Sustainability Framework,? and adhere to their own environmental and
social safeguard policies, including safeguards on Involuntary Resettlement,
Environment and Indigenous People, as well as the ADB?s Accountability
Mechanism and Public Communications Policy...
RECOMMENDATIONS:
Until the people of Burma can meaningfully participate in development
decisions, preconditions for responsible investment are in place, and adverse
impacts can be mitigated, then the ADB should refrain from any form of new
engagement with Burma.
If they do engage (i.e., fund, facilitate, administer) in Burma, the ADB must
follow the International Financial Corporation?s ?Sustainability Framework,?,
and adhere to apply their own environmental and social safeguard policies,
when they do engage, including safeguards on Involuntary Resettlement,
Environment and Indigenous People, as well as the ADB?s Accountability
Mechanism and Public Communications Policy.
If the ADB is involved in any future national development planning for
Burma, they must make sure it is based on proper needs assessments and a
participatory consultation process which ensures that it furthers the interest
of the people.
S. Bourne
Source/publisher:
NGO Forum on ADB
Date of publication:
2011-04-00
Date of entry/update:
2012-06-12
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Language:
English
Format :
pdf
Size:
1.27 MB
Local URL:
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Description:
"Economic growth edged up over the past 2 years, accompanied by relatively modest inflation. The
economy is expected to grow moderately over the forecast period, supported by foreign investment in
construction and higher levels of credit to agriculture. The government that took office in March 2011
faces an extensive agenda of reforms if the country is to reach its potential..."
Alfredo Perdiguero
Source/publisher:
Asian Development Bank (ADB)
Date of publication:
2011-04-00
Date of entry/update:
2012-04-12
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Language:
English
more
Description:
"Economic growth picked up in FY2011, based largely on foreign investment in energy and exports of
commodities and natural gas. That trend is forecast to continue, assisted by policy reforms and higher gas
exports in 2013. Inflation is expected to quicken, after receding in 2011. The government has taken steps
to revitalize the economy, but the agenda of required reforms is long..."
Source/publisher:
Asian Development Bank (ADB)
Date of publication:
2012-04-11
Date of entry/update:
2012-04-12
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Language:
English
more
Description:
ADB administration and governance; Economics...MANILA, PHILIPPINES – "Myanmar is poised for a period of rising economic growth, but the country needs to embark on a comprehensive program of reforms to realize its potential and reduce widespread poverty, according to a forecast of the country?s growth, contained in a new report from the Asian Development Bank (ADB)..."
Source/publisher:
Asian Development Bank (ADB)
Date of publication:
2012-04-11
Date of entry/update:
2012-04-12
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Language:
English
more
Description:
ABSTRACT:
"Multilateral
development
banks
and
the
Asian
Development
Bank
(ADB)
in
particular,
have
not
provided
direct
assistance
to
Myanmar
(Burma)
since
the
mid-1980s,
largely
as
a
concession
to
global
disapprobation
of
its
ruling
military
regime.
Through
its
Greater
Mekong
Subregion
(GMS)
project,
however,
the
ADB
still
provides
indirect
assistance
to
Myanmar
and
direct
assistance
to
the
authoritarian
single
party
states
of
Laos
and
Vietnam.
The
aim
of
the
GMS
East-West
Economic
Corridor
(EWEC)
is
to
facilitate
trade
and
investment
across
the
GMS
but
the
Myanmar
leg
of
the
road
corridor,
from
Mawlamyine
(Moulmein)
to
the
Thai
border
at
Myawaddy,
traverses
Karen
State,
which
has
been
fraught
with
civil
conflict
since
1948.
The
ruling
military
regime
along
with
its
allies,
the
Democratic
Karen
Buddhist
Army
(DKBA),
nominally
controls
this
route
but
in
mid-2010
there
were
serious
defections
from
the
DKBA
to
the
opposition
Karen
National
Liberation
Army
(KNLA)
over
the
military
regime?s
Border
Guard
Force
(BGF)
leading
to
increased
tension
in
the
area.
The
regime
then
closed
the
border
at
Myawaddy,
ostensibly
over
a
dispute
with
Thailand
but
more
likely
due
to
domestic
political
concerns,
resulting
in
a
large
build-up
of
goods
on
both
sides
of
the
border.
The
risks
of
greater
civil
conflict
in
this
region
are
exacerbated
by
the
revenue
raising
opportunities
that
various
competing
groups
can
derive
from
increased
border
trade
while
the
risks
of
forced
labour
are
ubiquitous
for
major
development
projects
in
Myanmar.
The
ADB
acknowledges
that
the
early
stages
of
the
EWEC
will
be
funded
by
public
sources
but
it
clearly
sees
its
role
as
guarantor
of
long-term
stability
for
the
project
to
minimise
the
risks
faced
by
private
investment.
The
very
nature
of
the
project
itself,
however,
which
ignores
domestic
political
issues,
is
likely
to
result
in
heightened
risks
of
insecurity
for
the
oppressed
ethnic
minorities
who
inhabit
the
region."
Dr Adam Simpson
Source/publisher:
Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, National University of Singapore.
Date of publication:
2011-00-00
Date of entry/update:
2011-07-03
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Language:
English
Format :
pdf
Size:
2.74 MB
Local URL:
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Description:
"High prices for natural gas exports continued to support modest rates of growth in FY2007. Inflation
remained at around 30%, largely the result of money creation to finance fiscal deficits. Recovery and
reconstruction after Cyclone Nargis, which inflicted severe human loss and economic damage in May
2008, will take at least 3 years. Economic growth will be diminished this year by weaker performance of
Myanmar?s major trading partners..."
Source/publisher:
Asian Development Bank (ADB)
Date of publication:
2009-04-17
Date of entry/update:
2009-04-17
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Language:
English
more
Description:
"Modest rates of growth in recent years have been based on high prices for natural gas exports, heavy
public expenditures, and an improving agricultural performance. However, macroeconomic stability is
vulnerable to fiscal deficits that are financed through money creation, in turn prompting double-digit
inflation. The Government has taken tentative steps toward a more market-oriented system in agriculture
and finance, and should build on these reforms."
Source/publisher:
Asian Development Bank (ADB)
Date of publication:
2008-03-00
Date of entry/update:
2008-04-02
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Language:
English
more
Description:
"High prices for natural gas exports and a good harvest led to a modest pickup in economic activity. But macroeconomic stability remains elusive with monetized fiscal deficits feeding high inflation. The cushion provided by the gas exports makes now an opportune time to embark on structural reforms, including exchange rate unification, fiscal consolidation, and agricultural liberalization, and to redirect public spending to development of social and physical infrastructure..."
Source/publisher:
Asian Development Bangk (ADB)
Date of publication:
2007-03-00
Date of entry/update:
2007-11-27
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Language:
English
more
Source/publisher:
Asian Development Bank (ADB)
Date of publication:
2006-00-00
Date of entry/update:
2006-04-25
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Language:
English
more
Description:
"As the table below indicates, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) continues to provide grants for regional technical assistance (TA) projects in the Greater
Mekong Subregion (GMS) that include Burma. The grants for the projects below amount to US$5.74 million. For all of the projects in the table below,
the amount of the grant extended by the ADB was US$1 million or smaller. This allows the projects to be approved by the ADB President, not by the
Board of Directors."
Source/publisher:
IFI-Burma
Date of publication:
2005-04-00
Date of entry/update:
2005-04-13
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Language:
English
Format :
htm doc
Size:
41.67 KB 47 KB
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Description:
Shortcomings of economic cooperation in the Greater Mekong...The Greater Mekong Subregion:
A Regional Fantasy...
The document critically examines the Greater Mekong Subregion Economic Cooperation (GMS) Programme, which was initiated by the Asian Development Bank in 1992 to boost economic development in the resource rich region. It outlines the main features of the programme and highlights the shortcomings and problem of the GMS:
* the centrality of natural resource exploitation (water, land, forests, energy, minerals, fisheries) results in the large-scale expropriation of resources crucial to daily sustenance
* the distribution of benefits is uneven since participating countries have differing levels of development and capacity (i.e. what does the Lao PDR gain from the East-West Corridor?)
* internal disparities within participating countries are widened because of pockets of high capital and infrastructure investment in specific parts of countries, which can result in tensions and conflicts between national and local government, and between the government and the people
* the vision of development promoted through the GMS serves regional investment, and not national or local development priorities: projects are formulated based on their potential for profits for investors rather than on their potential to respond to social, economic, ecological or institutional needs among local and national communities
* GMS projects have already resulted in negative impacts on local communities through road and hydropower projects, impacts include displacement of families, loss of livelihood sources, loss of lands, among others
* in the GMS framework, the rights of investors are protected, but the rights of local people and communities are not
* local-national communities outside of governments and private sector have not been involved in drawing up GMS plans
* the financing of GMS projects have tremendous debt implications for participating countries: new forms of project financing are creating new forms of debt and financial liabilities
* governments play conflicting roles as owners, investors and regulators in public-private partnerships in infrastructure projects
* GMS projects facilitate the transfer of local-national wealth to private actors external to the Mekong region.
Shalmali Guttal
Source/publisher:
Focus on the Global South
Date of publication:
2003-12-12
Date of entry/update:
2005-01-25
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Language:
English
more
Source/publisher:
Asian Development Bank (ADB)
Date of publication:
2004-11-00
Date of entry/update:
2004-11-16
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Language:
English
more
Description:
Statistische Angaben über die gesamtwirtschaftliche Entwickling sowie die Entwicklung in den Bereichen Finanzpolitik und Kapitalmarkt, Agrarwirtschaft, Bergbau und Energie, Verarbeitende Industrie, Handel, Banken und Versicherungen, Verkehrswesen, Telekommunikation und Medien, Tourismus, Außenwirtschaft. Quelle: ADB
Economic development in 2003, various aspects, source ADB
Marco Bünte
Source/publisher:
Institut für Asienkunde
Date of publication:
2004-07-00
Date of entry/update:
2004-11-09
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Category:
Economy: general, analytical, statistical (various sources), Asian Development Bank (ADB) and its watchers (Burma/Myanmar)
Language:
Deutsch, German
more
Description:
"The NCUB?s position is that the ADB should exclude Burma from all GMS projects until Burma is ruled by a government that is committed to the principles of transparency, accountability, public participation in decision-making processes, and independent monitoring.
Briefly, NCUB?s position is based on the following grounds:..."
Source/publisher:
National Council of the Union of Burma (NCUB)
Date of publication:
2004-07-26
Date of entry/update:
2004-10-05
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Category:
Asian Development Bank (ADB) and its watchers (Burma/Myanmar), Asian Development Bank (ADB), GMS - commentary
Language:
English
Format :
htm
Size:
18.26 KB
Local URL:
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Description:
"The Asian Development Bank has quietly started providing modest assistance to Rangoon. Is more to follow?...
On April 8, 2004 Mitch McConnell, a prominent American senator from Kentucky with an interest in the Burma debate, expressed concerns over multilateral assistance to Burma and threatened to cut US funding to institutions that might provide such assistance.
At a hearing of the Senate Subcommittee on Foreign Operations, he stated: ?Unfortunately, I am hearing that international financial institutions—particularly the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank—are keen on re-engaging Burma. They do so at their own risks, and should begin finding other funding sources for the upcoming fiscal year because none will be forthcoming from this Subcommittee.”
Senator McConnell?s statement reflects the unease shared by many in the Burma democracy movement about multilateral assistance going to Rangoon, which has a poor track record regarding transparency and public participation in development projects and has been accused of a range of human rights abuses.
So what exactly are the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank, or ADB, doing with respect to Burma? As yet the numbers are small, but imply an effort to renew assistance..."
Yuki Akimoto
Source/publisher:
"The Irrawaddy" Vol. 12, No. 4, April 2004
Date of publication:
2004-04-00
Date of entry/update:
2004-07-22
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Language:
English
more
Description:
Asian Development Outlook 2003 : II. Economic Trends and Prospects in Developing Asia : Southeast Asia
Myanmar...
Growth in FY2001 was recorded at 11.1%. However, there are reasons to be concerned about prospects. Macroeconomic imbalances persist, and there are growing signs of problems at a structural level. The country faces a complex development agenda. In the short run, priority should be given to reducing fiscal deficits and realigning expenditure priorities. Agricultural liberalization offers potentially large benefits....Outlook for 2003-2004:
The Government has targeted 6% GDP growth over the latest 5-year planning period. However, the immediate prospects for fast economic expansion are uncertain. Widespread flooding in 2002 is likely to have had an adverse impact on agricultural activity, which still accounts for over 40% of GDP. Also, yields of important agricultural crops have fallen recently against a backdrop of shortages of imported fertilizers and other inputs. Political and economic sanctions limit prospects for exports and FDI, and any significant easing of foreign exchange constraints is unlikely in the near future.
Over the medium term, the prospects for growth will, of course, depend crucially on policy choices. If macroeconomic imbalances and structural distortions persist, growth will undoubtedly suffer. If, however, a credible and sustained effort at reform were to begin, the prospects for sustainable economic expansion and poverty reduction would be good."
Source/publisher:
Asian Development Bank (ADB)
Date of publication:
2003-00-00
Date of entry/update:
2004-01-27
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Language:
English
more
Description:
Ein Artikel ?ber die Aktivit?ten der ADB in Burma, Staudammprojekte am Salween, Umweltkatastrophen, ?lkologische Folgen der Staudammprojekte.
activities of the ADB concerning Burma; environmental, ecological and sicial consequences of dam-projects
Daniel Apolinarski
Source/publisher:
Burma Initiative Asienhaus
Date of publication:
2003-10-00
Date of entry/update:
2003-12-05
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Category:
Asian Development Bank (ADB) and its watchers (Burma/Myanmar), Dams, Energy, Asian Development Bank, Dams and other projects on rivers in Burma/Myanmar (countrywide), Dams and other projects on the Salween and its tributories
Language:
Deutsch, German
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Description:
Burma in the Asian Development Bank; Burma in the World Bank Group; Non-accrual status; Burma in the International Monetary Fund; U.S. and E.U. sanctions on Burma - provisions on MDB assistance; Resources, Links etc...
Background:
"Most foreign aid to Burma, both bilateral and multilateral, ceased in the wake of the violent crackdown on the popular democracy movement in 1988. The United States and the European Union impose economic sanctions, which prohibit most bilateral aid from the U.S. and Europe, as well as support for multilateral development assistance to Burma (see box "U.S. and E.U. sanctions on Burma"). Burma also has not been involved in any new lending programs from the multilateral development banks since 1988-89...
Source/publisher:
Burma Project,, Bank Information Center
Date of publication:
2003-07-15
Date of entry/update:
2003-07-15
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Language:
English
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Description:
"Official data indicate that GDP in Myanmar grew by 11.1% in fiscal year (FY)2001 (ending 31 March 2002) in part because of rapid growth in agriculture, livestock and fisheries, and the processing and manufacturing sectors. Inflation accelerated to 56.8% by the end of 2002. The fiscal deficit narrowed from 8.4% in FY2000 to 6.6% of GDP in FY2001. The deficit was financed largely through central bank credit. The kyat depreciated in FY2001 by about 70% relative to its value at the start of the year. The overall balance-of-payments position was in surplus by kyat 1,733.2 million; the current account was at a deficit by kyat 844.8 million in FY2001. Capital inflows in FY2001 were low, and international reserves covered about 2.3 months of imports.
ADB operations..."
Source/publisher:
Asian Development Bank
Date of publication:
2003-06-24
Date of entry/update:
2003-06-24
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Language:
English
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Description:
Economic Performance Assessment; Assessment of Social Performance. Country operations:
"The Asian Development Bank (ADB) undertook the preparation of an operational strategy study for Myanmar in 1987, but discussions with the Government were not completed.
As of December 1998, cumulative lending to Myanmar consists of 28 loan projects for a total of $530.9 million and 38 technical assistance projects for a total of $10.7 million. No loan has been provided to Myanmar since 1986 and no technical assistance since 1987. All 32 loans approved
prior to 1986 were closed by end-1998. However, Myanmar is involved in the Program of Economic Cooperation in the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS Program). In that capacity,
Myanmar participates in regional meetings and workshops supported by ADB?s regional technical assistance. To keep ADB?s institutional knowledge up-to-date with regard to socio-economic developments, ADB has continued to review developments in economic policies and programs to the extent possible, based on the data available. In this regard, the 1995 Economic Report on Myanmar will be updated in 2000.
Donor Activities, Aid Coordination and Cofinancing:
Since 1988-89, Myanmar has not received any new lending programs from the multilateral institutions. However, it has received loans from the People�s Republic of China,
Thailand, India, Singapore, and Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries. In addition, Myanmar has received Debt Relief Grant from Japan, especially since 1988. Japan is also extending grants to the agriculture, forestry, and health sectors, grass root projects, and the Yangon International Airport Project. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) continues to conduct its Article IV consultations annually with the last one having been held in June 1999.
Although ADB?s operations have not yet resumed, ADB has maintained contact with other donors to exchange information on respective activities in Myanmar.
Source/publisher:
Asian Development Bank (ADB)
Date of publication:
2000-12-00
Date of entry/update:
2003-06-03
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Language:
English
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Description:
Economic Trends and prospects in developing Asia. Contains a 2 page section on Burma/Myanmar. "This 14th edition of the Asian Development Outlook provides a comprehensive
analysis of 41 economies in Asia and the Pacific, based on the Asian Development
Bank�s in-depth knowledge of the region. For the first time, the Outlook includes a
section on Afghanistan. It also provides a broad diagnosis of macroeconomic
conditions and growth prospects as they relate to progress in poverty reduction in
the economies of the region..."
Source/publisher:
Asian Development Bank (ADB)
Date of publication:
2002-04-09
Date of entry/update:
2003-06-03
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Language:
English
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Description:
"The 2002-2003 economic outlook for developing Asia and the Pacific has not changed significantly since the Asian Development Outlook 2002 was published in April 2002. However, East Asia, Southeast Asia, and Central Asia had a stronger than expected performance in the first half of 2002, while South Asia and the Pacific had weaker than expected performance..."
Source/publisher:
Asian Development Bank
Date of publication:
2002-09-18
Date of entry/update:
2003-06-03
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Language:
English
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Description:
"In 38 country tables and 40 regional tables, it presents long time series data on
economic, financial, environmental and social development, providing a comprehensive statistical portrait of ADB?s 40 developing member countries (DMCs).
This 32nd edition differs from previous editions. It includes an analysis of major economic and social trends and attempt to capture the diversity of our DMCs
highlight the different development paths followed.
Source/publisher:
Asian Development Bank (ADB)
Date of publication:
2001-00-00
Date of entry/update:
2003-06-03
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Language:
English
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Description:
From the minutes of the 19th regular meeting between Ministry of Finance of Japan and NGOs on 24 June, 2002...
Participants:
-- Ministry of Finance: director and sub-director of Development Institutions Division, director of Development Finance Division, sub-director of Development Policy Division of International Bureau and other concerned officers
-- NGO: Friends of Earth Japan (FOE Japan), JEN, Asia Coalition for Environment (ACE), Japan-Africa Council, Debt and Poverty Network Japan, Mekong Watch Japan, World Vision Japan, The Japan Center for Conflict Prevention, Japan Center for a Sustainable Environment and Society (JACSES), and some university scholars.
Source/publisher:
Japan Center for a Sustainable Environment and Society and Japanese Ministry of Finance
Date of publication:
2002-06-24
Date of entry/update:
2003-06-03
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Language:
Japanese
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