View source for Economy of Myanmar

{{Short description|None}}
{{More citations needed|date=May 2021}}
{{Use British English|date=November 2017}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2020}}
{{Infobox economy
| country = Myanmar
| image = Yangon_Modern_Skyline.jpg
| image_size = 310px
| caption = [[Yangon]], the financial center of Myanmar
| currency = [[Myanmar Kyat]] (MMK)
| year = 1 October– 30 September
| organs = [[World Trade Organization|WTO]], [[ASEAN]], [[BIMSTEC]], [[Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership|RCEP]], [[Group of 77|G77]], [[ASEAN Free Trade Area|AFTA]], [[Asian Development Bank|ADB]] and others
| group = {{plainlist|
* [[Least developed countries|Least developed]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Asian Development Bank and Myanmar: Economy |url=https://www.adb.org/where-we-work/myanmar/economy |website=ADB.org |date=10 August 2022 |publisher=[[Asian Development Bank]] |access-date=26 March 2024 |archive-date=26 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240326111409/https://www.adb.org/where-we-work/myanmar/economy |url-status=live }}</ref>
* Lower-middle income economy<ref>{{Cite web |title=World Bank Country and Lending Groups |url=https://datahelpdesk.worldbank.org/knowledgebase/articles/906519-world-bank-country-and-lending-groups |website=datahelpdesk.worldbank.org |publisher=[[World Bank]] |access-date=6 March 2020 |archive-date=28 October 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191028223324/https://datahelpdesk.worldbank.org/knowledgebase/articles/906519-world-bank-country-and-lending-groups |url-status=live }}</ref>}}
| population = {{increase}} 54,617,807 (2024 est.)<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.imf.org/external/datamapper/LP@WEO/MMR?zoom=MMR&highlight=MMR |access-date=February 16, 2024 |title=Archived copy |archive-date=15 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240215162540/https://www.imf.org/external/datamapper/LP@WEO/MMR?zoom=MMR&highlight=MMR |url-status=live }}</ref>
| gdp = {{plainlist|
* {{increase}} $64.94 billion ([[GDP (nominal)|nominal]]; {{abbr|2025|2025 forecast}})<ref name="IMF DataMapper">{{cite web |url=https://www.imf.org/external/datamapper/profile/MMR |title=IMF DataMapper: Myanmar |website=[[International Monetary Fund]] |date=2025 |access-date=31 May 2025}}</ref>
* {{increase}} $326.89 billion ([[Purchasing power parity|PPP]]; {{abbr|2025|2025}})<ref name="IMF DataMapper"/>
}}
| gdp rank = {{plainlist|
* [[List of countries by GDP (nominal)|87th (nominal; 2025)]]
* [[List of countries by GDP (PPP)|64th (PPP; 2025)]]
}}
| growth = {{plainlist| 
* {{Increase}} 1.0%&nbsp;(2023)<ref name="IMF DataMapper" />
* {{Decrease}} 1.1%&nbsp;(2024)<ref name="IMF DataMapper" />
* {{Increase}} 1.9%&nbsp;({{abbr|2025|2025 forecast}})<ref name="IMF DataMapper" />
* {{Increase}} 2.1%&nbsp;({{abbr|2026f|2025 forecast}})<ref name="IMF DataMapper" />
}}
| per capita = {{plainlist|
* {{increase}} $1,180 (nominal; {{abbr|2025|2025 forecast}})<ref name="IMF DataMapper"/>
* {{increase}} $5,920 (PPP; {{abbr|2025|2025 forecast}})<ref name="IMF DataMapper"/>
}}
| per capita rank = {{plainlist|
* [[List of countries by GDP per capita (nominal)|166th (nominal; 2025)]]
* [[List of countries by GDP per capita (PPP)|146th (PPP; 2025)]]
}}{{efn|name=fn1|Excluded territories}}
* {{decrease}} 0.633 {{color|darkorange|medium}} (2021)<ref name="UNHDR">{{cite web|url=https://hdr.undp.org/system/files/documents/global-report-document/hdr2021-22pdf_1.pdf|title=Human Development Report 2021/2022|language=en|publisher=[[United Nations Development Programme]]|date=8 September 2022|access-date=9 September 2022|archive-date=8 September 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220908114232/http://hdr.undp.org/system/files/documents/global-report-document/hdr2021-22pdf_1.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> ([[List of countries by Human Development Index|132nd]])
* {{increase}} 0.475 {{color|red|low}} [[List of countries by inequality-adjusted HDI|IHDI (108th)]] (2021)<ref>{{cite web |title=India |url=https://hdr.undp.org/data-center/specific-country-data#/countries/IND |website=hdr.undp.org |publisher=[[United Nations Development Programme|UNDP]] |access-date=22 May 2023 |archive-date=12 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220812054834/https://hdr.undp.org/data-center/specific-country-data#/countries/IND |url-status=live }}</ref>
}}

The '''economy of [[Myanmar]]''' is the seventh largest in [[Southeast Asia]].<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |title=Myanmar database |url=https://www.imf.org/external/datamapper/profile/MMR |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230428232742/https://www.imf.org/external/datamapper/profile/MMR |archive-date=28 April 2023 |access-date=3 Aug 2025 |website=IMF}}</ref> After the [[2011–2015 Myanmar political reforms|return of civilian rule in 2011]], the new government launched [[Economic liberalization in Myanmar|large-scale reforms]], focused initially on the political system to restore peace and achieve national unity and moving quickly to an economic and social reform program.<ref>{{Cite journal |date=August 2014 |title=Myanmar: Unlocking the Potential |url=https://www.adb.org/publications/myanmar-unlocking-potential |journal=Asian Development Bank |access-date=22 October 2023 |archive-date=30 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231030104927/https://www.adb.org/publications/myanmar-unlocking-potential |url-status=live }}</ref> Current economic statistics were a huge decline from the economic statistics of Myanmar in the fiscal year of 2020, in which Myanmar's nominal GDP was $81.26 billion and its purchasing power adjusted GDP was $312.49 billion.<ref name=":2" /> Myanmar has faced an economic crisis since the [[2021 Myanmar coup d'état|2021 coup d'état]]. According to the [[International Monetary Fund]] (IMF), Myanmar's GDP per capita in 2024 was  $1,110.

==History==

===Classical era===
Burma has been the main trade route between China and India since 100 BC. The [[Mon Kingdom]] of lower Burma served as important trading centre in the [[Bay of Bengal]]. The majority of the population was involved in rice production and other forms of [[agriculture]].<ref name="tay">{{Cite book |last=Taylor |first=Robert H. |title=The State in Myanmar |publisher=NUS Press |year=2009 |isbn=978-9971-69-466-1 |pages=38–40}}</ref> Burma used silver as the trade currency.<ref name="tay" /> All land was nominally owned by the Burmese monarch.<ref name="stein">{{Cite book |last=Steinberg |first=David I. |url=https://archive.org/details/burmastateofmyan0000stei/page/125 |title=Burma, the state of Myanmar |publisher=Georgetown University Press |year=2001 |isbn=978-0-87840-893-1 |pages=[https://archive.org/details/burmastateofmyan0000stei/page/125 125–127]}}</ref> Exports, along with oil wells, gem mining and teak production were controlled by the monarch.<ref name="stein" /> Burma was vitally involved in the [[Indian Ocean]] trade.<ref name="tay" /> Logged teak was a prized export that was used in European shipbuilding because of its durability, and became the focal point of Burmese exports from the 1700s to the 1800s.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Goodman |first=Michael K. |title=Consuming space: placing consumption in perspective |publisher=Ashgate Publishing, Ltd. |year=2010 |isbn=978-0-7546-7229-6 |pages=241}}</ref>

Under the monarchy, the economy of Myanmar had been based on communal redistribution known in Myanmar as [[Dāna]]. The state set the prices of the most important commodities. Agrarian self-sufficiency was vital, while trade was only of secondary importance.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Myanmar - The initial impact of colonialism|url=https://www.britannica.com/place/Myanmar|access-date=2021-10-07|website=Encyclopedia Britannica|language=en|archive-date=4 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210504062055/https://www.britannica.com/place/Myanmar|url-status=live}}</ref>

===British Burma (1885–1948)===
{{Further|British rule in Burma}}

Under the British administration, the people of Burma were at the bottom of social hierarchy, with Europeans at the top, Indians, Chinese, and Christianized minorities in the middle, and Buddhist Burmese at the bottom.<ref name=":02">{{Cite book |last=Thant Myint-U. |title=The river of lost footsteps : histories of Burma |date=2006 |publisher=Farrar, Straus and Giroux |isbn=978-0-374-16342-6 |edition=1st |location=New York |oclc=65064707}}</ref> Integrated into the world economy by force, economic growth in Burma was driven by the extractive industries and [[cash crop]] agriculture, and the country had the second-highest GDP per capita in Southeast Asia. However, much of the wealth was concentrated in the hands of Europeans. The country became the world's largest exporter of rice, mainly to European markets, while other colonies like India suffered mass starvation.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Davis, Mike |title=Late Victorian holocausts: El Niño famines and the making of the third world |date=2001 |publisher=Verso |isbn=1-85984-739-0 |location=London |oclc=45636958}}</ref> The British followed the ideologies of [[Social Darwinism]] and the free market, and opened up the country to a large-scale immigration with Rangoon exceeding New York City as the greatest immigration port in the world in the 1920s. Historian Thant Myint-U states, "This was out of a total population of only 13 million; it was equivalent to the United Kingdom today taking 2 million people a year." By then, in most of the largest cities in Burma, [[Rangoon]], [[Akyab]], [[Pathein|Bassein]] and [[Moulmein]], the Indian immigrants formed a majority of the population. The Burmese under British rule felt helpless, and reacted with a "racism that combined feelings of superiority and fear".<ref name=":02" />

Crude oil production, an indigenous industry of [[Yenangyaung]], was taken over by the British and put under [[Burmah Oil]] monopoly. British Burma began exporting crude oil in 1853.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Total |title=Oil and Gas in Myanmar |url=http://burma.total.com/myanmar-en/oil-and-gas-in-myanmar/oil-and-gas-in-myanmar-900130.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150817060801/http://burma.total.com/myanmar-en/oil-and-gas-in-myanmar/oil-and-gas-in-myanmar-900130.html |archive-date=17 August 2015 |access-date=30 January 2021 }}</ref> It produced 75% of the world's teak.<ref name="steinberg">{{Cite book |last=Steinberg |first=David I. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=CSTuWZ0BMmMC |title=Burma: The State of Myanmar |date=2002 |publisher=Georgetown University Press |isbn=978-1-58901-285-1 |page=xi}}</ref> The wealth was however, mainly concentrated in the hands of Europeans. In the 1930s, agricultural production fell dramatically as international rice prices declined and did not recover for several decades.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Booth, Anne |date=Spring 2003 |title=The Burma Development Disaster in Comparative Historical Perspective |url=http://www.soas.ac.uk/sbbr/editions/file64274.pdf |journal=SOAS Bulletin of Burma Research |volume=1 |issue=1 |issn=1479-8484 |access-date=30 January 2021 |archive-date=9 August 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070809043455/http://www.soapy-massage.com/thai-soapy-massage-turkish-bath-house.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>

During the Japanese invasion of Burma in World War II, the British followed a [[scorched earth]] policy. They destroyed the major government buildings, oil wells and mines for tungsten, tin, lead and silver to keep them from the Japanese. Myanmar was bombed extensively by the Allies. After independence, the country was in ruins with its major infrastructure completely destroyed. With the loss of India, Burma lost relevance and obtained independence from the British. After a parliamentary government was formed in 1948, Prime Minister U Nu embarked upon a policy of nationalisation and the state was declared the owner of all land. The government tried to implement an eight-year plan partly financed by injecting money into the economy which caused some inflation.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Watkins |first=Thayer |title=Political and Economic History of Myanmar (Burma) Economics |url=http://www2.sjsu.edu/faculty/watkins/burma.htm |access-date=8 July 2006 |publisher=San Jose State University |archive-date=26 May 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060526144053/http://www2.sjsu.edu/faculty/watkins/burma.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref>

===Post-independence and under U Nu and Ne Win (1948–1988)===
After a parliamentary government was formed in 1948, Prime Minister [[U Nu]] embarked upon a policy of [[nationalisation]]. He attempted to make Burma a [[welfare state]] by adopting [[central planning]] measures. By the 1950s, rice exports had decreased by two-thirds and mineral exports by over 96%. Plans were implemented in setting up light consumer industries by private sector.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Watkins |first=Thayer |title=Political and Economic History of Myanmar (Burma) Economics |url=http://www2.sjsu.edu/faculty/watkins/burma.htm |access-date=8 July 2006 |publisher=San José State University |archive-date=26 May 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060526144053/http://www2.sjsu.edu/faculty/watkins/burma.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref> The [[1962 Burmese coup d'état]] was followed by an economic scheme called the [[Burmese Way to Socialism]], a plan to nationalise all industries, with the exception of agriculture.  The catastrophic program turned Burma into one of the world's most impoverished countries.<ref name="ruin">{{Cite news |last=Tallentire |first=Mark |date=28 September 2007 |title=The Burma road to ruin |work=The Guardian |location=London |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2007/sep/28/burma.uk |access-date=1 May 2010 |archive-date=4 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304081122/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2007/sep/28/burma.uk |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="woodsome">{{Cite news |last=Kate Woodsome |title='Burmese Way to Socialism' Drives Country into Poverty |url=http://www.voanews.com/english/archive/2007-10/2007-10-04-voa10.cfm?CFID=117290760&CFTOKEN=64840153&jsessionid=6630167e8fd1b43b9eef18506362225e1f2d |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20121208220245/http://www.voanews.com/english/archive/2007-10/2007-10-04-voa10.cfm?CFID=117290760&CFTOKEN=64840153&jsessionid=6630167e8fd1b43b9eef18506362225e1f2d |archive-date=2012-12-08}}</ref> Burma was classified as a [[least developed country]] by the [[United Nations]] in 1987.<ref>{{Cite web |year=2005 |title=List of Least Developed Countries |url=https://www.un.org/special-rep/ohrlls/ldc/list.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131026045553/http://www.un.org/special-rep/ohrlls/ldc/list.htm |archive-date=26 October 2013 |publisher=UN-OHRLLS}}</ref>

===Rule of the generals (1988–2011)===
After 1988, the regime retreated from a [[command economy]]. It permitted modest expansion of the private sector, allowed some foreign investment, and received much needed foreign exchange.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Stephen Codrington |title=Planet geography |publisher=Solid Star Press |year=2005 |isbn=0-9579819-3-7 |page=559}}</ref> [[Than Shwe]] advocated for some [[deregulation]] economic policies, despite his relaxation of some restrictions on Burma's economy, his economic policies have been often criticized as ill-planned.<ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20100809000937/http://www.shanland.org/oldversion/No.6.pdf {{Bare URL PDF|date=July 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal | url=https://openyls.law.yale.edu/handle/20.500.13051/5724 | title=Energy Security:, Security for Whom? | journal=Yale Human Rights and Development Law Journal | date=18 February 2014 | last1=Smith | first1=Matthew | last2=Htoo | first2=Naing | archive-date=24 March 2025 | access-date=20 March 2025 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250324073213/https://openyls.law.yale.edu/handle/20.500.13051/5724 | url-status=dead }}</ref> Shwe relaxed some state control over the economy, and was a supporter of Burma's participation in the [[Association of South East Asian Nations]] (ASEAN). He also oversaw a large crackdown on corruption, which saw the sackings of a number of cabinet ministers and regional commanders in 1997. Shwe advocated for Crony capitalism.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.economist.com/special-report/2013/05/23/democracy-on-prescription | title=Democracy on prescription | newspaper=The Economist }}</ref> The economy was rated in 2009 as [[List of countries by economic freedom|the least free in Asia]] (tied with [[North Korea]]).<ref name="freedom">{{Cite web |title=Burma Economy: Population, GDP, Inflation, Business, Trade, FDI, Corruption |url=http://www.heritage.org/index/country/Burma |access-date=16 January 2018 |website=Heritage.org |archive-date=19 November 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111119173945/http://www.heritage.org/Index/Country/Burma |url-status=unfit }}</ref> All basic market institutions are suppressed.<ref name="freedom" /><ref name="turnell" /> Private enterprises were often co-owned or indirectly owned by state. The corruption watchdog organisation [[Transparency International]] in its 2007 [[Corruption Perceptions Index]] released on 26 September 2007 ranked Burma the most corrupt country in the world, tied with [[Somalia]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Research – CPI – Overview |url=http://www.transparency.org/policy_research/surveys_indices/cpi/2007 |access-date=16 January 2018 |website=Transparency.org |archive-date=28 April 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080428203145/http://www.transparency.org/policy_research/surveys_indices/cpi/2007 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

The national currency is the [[kyat]]. Burma currently has a [[dual exchange rate]] system similar to [[Cuba]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Sean Turnell |date=2 May 2008 |title=The rape of Burma: where did the wealth go? |work=The Japan Times |url=http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/eo20080502a1.html |access-date=15 February 2009 |archive-date=14 July 2012 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120714104011/http://www.japantimes.co.jp/text/eo20080502a1.html%23.UAFMe6go9Rw |url-status=live }}</ref> The market rate was around two hundred times below the government-set rate in 2006.<ref name="turnell">{{Cite web |last=Sean Turnell |date=29 March 2006 |title=Burma's Economic Prospects – Testimony before the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on East Asian and Pacific Affairs |url=http://foreign.senate.gov/testimony/2006/TurnellTestimony060329.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100106125904/http://foreign.senate.gov/testimony/2006/TurnellTestimony060329.pdf |archive-date=6 January 2010 |access-date=22 January 2010}}</ref> In 2011, the Burmese government enlisted the aid of the [[International Monetary Fund]] to evaluate options to reform the current exchange rate system, to stabilise the domestic foreign exchange trading market and reduce economic distortions.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Feng Yingqiu |date=1 August 2011 |title=Myanmar starts to deal with official forex rate |url=http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/business/2011-08/01/c_131022439.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121108004143/http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/business/2011-08/01/c_131022439.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=8 November 2012 |access-date=8 August 2011 |website=Xinhua}}</ref> The dual exchange rate system allows for the government and state-owned enterprises to divert funds and revenues, while also giving the government more control over the local economy and making it possible to temporarily subdue inflation.<ref>{{Cite news |last=McCartan |first=Brian |date=20 August 2008 |title=Myanmar exchange scam fleeces UN |work=Asia Times |url=http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Southeast_Asia/JH20Ae01.html |url-status=unfit |access-date=8 August 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081202112402/http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Southeast_Asia/JH20Ae01.html |archive-date=2 December 2008}}</ref><ref name="wsj">{{Cite news |date=8 August 2011 |title=Myanmar Considers Foreign-Exchange Overhaul |work=The Wall Street Journal |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424053111904007304576493940226278686 |access-date=8 August 2011 |archive-date=11 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160311124653/http://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424053111904007304576493940226278686 |url-status=live }}</ref>

[[Inflation]] averaged 30.1% between 2005 and 2007.<ref name="freedom" /> In April 2007, the [[National League for Democracy]] organised a two-day workshop on the economy. The workshop concluded that skyrocketing inflation was impeding economic growth. "Basic commodity prices have increased from 30% to 60% since the military regime promoted a pay rise for government workers in April 2006," said Soe Win, the moderator of the workshop. "Inflation is also correlated with corruption." Myint Thein, an NLD spokesperson, added: "Inflation is the critical source of the current economic crisis."<ref>{{Cite magazine |date=30 April 2007 |title=High Inflation Impeding Burma's Economy, Says NLD |url=http://www.irrawaddy.org/article.php?art_id=7064 |url-status=dead |magazine=[[The Irrawaddy]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090116020035/http://www.irrawaddy.org/article.php?art_id=7064 |archive-date=16 January 2009 |access-date=30 April 2007}}</ref>

In recent years, China and India attempted to strengthen ties with Myanmar for mutual benefit. The European Union and some nations including the United States and Canada imposed investment and trade sanctions on Burma. The United States banned all imports from Burma, though this restriction was since lifted.<ref name="turnell" /> Foreign investment comes primarily from China, Singapore, South Korea, India, and Thailand.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Fullbrook |first=David |date=4 November 2004 |title=So long US, hello China, India |work=Asia Times |url=http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Southeast_Asia/FK04Ae03.html |url-status=unfit |access-date=14 July 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041106012133/http://atimes.com/atimes/Southeast_Asia/FK04Ae03.html |archive-date=6 November 2004}}</ref>

===Economic liberalisation (2011–2019)===
{{Prose|date=March 2024|section}}
{{Main|Economic liberalization in Myanmar}}
In 2011, when new President [[Thein Sein]]'s government came to power, Burma embarked on a major policy of reforms including anti-[[corruption]], [[currency exchange rate]] regulation, foreign investment laws and [[taxation]]. [[Foreign direct investment|Foreign investments]] increased from US$300 million in 2009–10 to a US$20 billion in 2010–11 by about 6567%.<ref name="Economic reforms">{{Cite news |last=Joseph Allchin |date=20 September 2011 |title=Taste of democracy sends Burma's fragile economy into freefall |work=The Independent |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/taste-of-democracy-sends-burmas-fragile-economy-into-freefall-2357511.html |access-date=25 September 2011 |archive-date=2 August 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170802102604/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/taste-of-democracy-sends-burmas-fragile-economy-into-freefall-2357511.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> Large inflow of capital results in stronger Burmese currency, [[kyat]] by about 25%. In response, the government relaxed import restrictions and abolished export taxes. Despite current currency problems, Burmese economy is expected to grow by about 8.8% in 2011.<ref>{{Cite web |last=JOSEPH ALLCHINJOSEPH |date=23 September 2011 |title=Burma tells IMF of economic optimism |url=http://www.dvb.no/news/burma-tells-imf-of-economic-optimism/17803 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110926233735/http://www.dvb.no/news/burma-tells-imf-of-economic-optimism/17803 |archive-date=26 September 2011 |access-date=25 September 2011 |publisher=DVD}}</ref> After the completion of 58-billion dollar Dawei deep seaport, Burma is expected be at the hub of trade connecting Southeast Asia and the South China Sea, via the Andaman Sea, to the Indian Ocean receiving goods from countries in the Middle East, Europe and Africa, and spurring growth in the ASEAN region.<ref>{{Cite news |last=CHATRUDEE THEPARAT |date=28 August 2011 |title=Big-shift-to-dawei-predicted |work=Bangkok Post |url=http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/local/206376/big-shift-to-dawei-predicted |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110209125551/http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/local/206376/big-shift-to-dawei-predicted |url-status=dead |archive-date=9 February 2011 |access-date=27 August 2011}}</ref><ref name="Dawei Seaport">{{Cite web |last=Thein Linn |date=15–21 November 2010 |title=Dawei deep-sea port, SEZ gets green light |url=http://www.mmtimes.com/2010/business/549/biz54901.htmlmmtimes |access-date=25 September 2011 |website=Myanmar times}}{{Dead link|date=July 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

In 2012, the [[Asian Development Bank]] formally began re-engaging with the country, to finance infrastructure and development projects in the country.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Yap |first=Karl Lester M. |date=1 March 2012 |title=ADB Preparing First Myanmar Projects in 25 Years as Thein Opens |work=Bloomberg |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-03-01/adb-preparing-first-myanmar-projects-in-25-years-as-thein-opens.html |access-date=15 March 2012 |archive-date=27 April 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120427235537/http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-03-01/adb-preparing-first-myanmar-projects-in-25-years-as-thein-opens.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The $512 million loan is the first issued by the ADB to Myanmar in 30 years and will target banking services, ultimately leading to other major investments in road, energy, irrigation and education projects.<ref name="burmaadb">{{Cite news |date=28 January 2013 |title=ADB ends 30-year hiatus in Myanmar |publisher=Investvine.com |url=http://investvine.com/adb-ends-30-year-hiatus-in-myanmar/ |access-date=8 February 2013 |archive-date=28 September 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130928115856/http://investvine.com/adb-ends-30-year-hiatus-in-myanmar/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>

In March 2012, a draft foreign investment law emerged, the first in more than 2 decades. This law oversees the unprecedented liberalisation of the economy. It for example stipulates that foreigners no longer require a local partner to start a business in the country and can legally lease land.<ref name="aht">{{Cite news |last=Aung Hla Htun |date=16 March 2012 |title=Exclusive: Myanmar drafts new foreign investment rules |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-myanmar-investment-idUSBRE82F0IY20120316 |access-date=17 March 2012 |archive-date=16 March 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120316160225/https://www.reuters.com/article/2012/03/16/us-myanmar-investment-idUSBRE82F0IY20120316 |url-status=live }}</ref> The draft law also stipulates that Burmese citizens must constitute at least 25% of the firm's skilled workforce, and with subsequent training, up to 50–75%.<ref name="aht" />

On 28 January 2013, the government of Myanmar announced deals with international lenders to cancel or refinance nearly $6 billion of its debt, almost 60 per cent of what it owes to foreign lenders. Japan wrote off US$3 Billion, nations in the group of [[Paris Club]] wrote off US$2.2 Billion and Norway wrote off US$534 Million.<ref name="burmadebt13">{{Cite news |date=29 January 2013 |title=Myanmar clears 60% of foreign debt |publisher=Investvine.com |url=http://investvine.com/myanmar-clears-60-of-foreign-debt/ |access-date=29 January 2013 |archive-date=10 April 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130410142452/http://investvine.com/myanmar-clears-60-of-foreign-debt/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Myanmar's inward foreign direct investment has steadily increased since its reform. The country approved US$4.4 billion worth of investment projects between January and November 2014.<ref name="InvestAsian">{{Cite news |date=7 January 2015 |title=Myanmar FDI Expected to Jump 70% |publisher=InvestAsian.com |url=http://www.investasian.com/2015/01/07/myanmar-fdi-expected-jump-70/ |access-date=7 February 2015 |archive-date=7 February 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150207161705/http://www.investasian.com/2015/01/07/myanmar-fdi-expected-jump-70/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

According to one report released on 30 May 2013, by the McKinsey Global Institute, Burma's future looks bright, with its economy expected to quadruple by 2030 if it invests in more high-tech industries.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Calderon |first=Justin |date=30 May 2013 |title=Myanmar's economy to quadruple by 2030 |url=http://investvine.com/myanmars-economy-to-quadruple-by-2030/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140102191843/http://investvine.com/myanmars-economy-to-quadruple-by-2030/ |archive-date=2 January 2014 |access-date=30 May 2013 |website=Inside Investor}}</ref> This however does assume that other factors (such as drug trade, the continuing war of the government with specific ethnic groups, etc.) do not interfere.

As of October 2017, less than 10% of Myanmar's population has a bank account.<ref name="veconomist">{{Cite news |date=12 October 2017 |title=In dirt-poor Myanmar, smartphones are transforming finance |newspaper=[[The Economist]] |url=https://www.economist.com/news/finance-and-economics/21730199-rudimentary-financial-services-are-offer-places-roads-do-not-reach |access-date=13 October 2017 |archive-date=13 October 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171013172541/https://www.economist.com/news/finance-and-economics/21730199-rudimentary-financial-services-are-offer-places-roads-do-not-reach |url-status=live }}</ref> As of 2016–17 approximately 98 percent of the population has smartphones and mobile money schemes are being implemented without the use of banks similar to African countries.

=== Economic crisis (2020–present) ===
{{Further|2021 Myanmar coup d'état}}
Myanmar's economy has been in [[economic crisis]] since [[Myanmar coup d'état|the coup d'état]] in February 2021.<ref>{{Cite news |title=How the coup is destroying Myanmar's economy |url=https://eastasiaforum.org/2021/06/23/how-the-coup-is-destroying-myanmars-economy/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240124093134/https://eastasiaforum.org/2021/06/23/how-the-coup-is-destroying-myanmars-economy/ |archive-date=24 January 2024 |access-date=24 January 2024 |work=[[East Asia Forum]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Military Coup Has Inflicted 'Permanent' Damage on Myanmar, World Bank Says |url=https://thediplomat.com/2023/06/military-coup-has-inflicted-permanent-damage-on-myanmar-world-bank-says/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240124093133/https://thediplomat.com/2023/06/military-coup-has-inflicted-permanent-damage-on-myanmar-world-bank-says/ |archive-date=24 January 2024 |access-date=24 January 2024 |work=[[The Diplomat (magazine)|The Diplomat]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title="The Latest @ USIP: For Myanmar's Economy to Recover, Military Rule Must End " Sean Turnell says |url=https://www.usip.org/blog/2023/07/latest-usip-myanmars-economy-recover-military-rule-must-end |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240124093132/https://www.usip.org/blog/2023/07/latest-usip-myanmars-economy-recover-military-rule-must-end |archive-date=24 January 2024 |access-date=24 January 2024 |work=[[United States Institute of Peace]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=February 2023 |title=Myanmar Economy in Tailspin, 2 Years after the Military Coup |url=https://dkiapcss.edu/myanmar-economy-in-tailspin-2-years-after-the-military-coup/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240124093133/https://dkiapcss.edu/myanmar-economy-in-tailspin-2-years-after-the-military-coup/ |archive-date=24 January 2024 |access-date=24 January 2024 |website=dkiapcss.edu}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title='Riding a rollercoaster' in Myanmar's post-coup economy |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/2/2/riding-a-rollercoaster-in-myanmars-post-coup-economy |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240124093132/https://www.aljazeera.com/amp/news/2023/2/2/riding-a-rollercoaster-in-myanmars-post-coup-economy |archive-date=24 January 2024 |access-date=24 January 2024 |work=[[Al Jazeera English]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Myanmar plunges deeper into economic crisis |url=https://eastasiaforum.org/2023/01/24/myanmar-plunges-deeper-into-economic-crisis/ |work=[[East Asia Forum]]}}</ref> On April 30, 2021, the United Nations Development Programme noted that the [[COVID-19 pandemic in Myanmar|COVID-19 pandemic]] and the [[2021 Myanmar coup d'état]] could reverse economic gains made over the last sixteen years.<ref>{{cite web |title=COVID-19, Coup d'Etat and Poverty: Compounding Negative Shocks and Their Impact on Human Development in Myanmar |url=https://www.asia-pacific.undp.org/content/rbap/en/home/library/democratic_governance/covid-19-coup-d-etat-and-poverty-impact-on-myanmar.html |website=United Nations |publisher=United Nations Development Program |access-date=10 May 2021 |archive-date=7 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210507125826/https://www.asia-pacific.undp.org/content/rbap/en/home/library/democratic_governance/covid-19-coup-d-etat-and-poverty-impact-on-myanmar.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Overall, Myanmar's economy under SAC rule is defined by stagnation, inflation, capital flight, and fractured governance.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |date=2025-03-11 |title=Challenges and Priorities for Myanmar's Conflicted Economy |url=https://fulcrum.sg/challenges-and-priorities-for-myanmars-conflicted-economy/ |access-date=2025-05-20 |website=FULCRUM |language=en-US}}</ref> With no political resolution in sight, prospects for recovery and inclusive growth remain bleak. The SAC's economic strategy prioritizes regime survival through [[Natural resource|resource extraction]] and coercive controls, such as forced currency conversions and [[price fixing]].<ref name=":3" /> This erratic and reactionary governance has undermined investor confidence and distorted markets.<ref name=":3" />

Under the military-led [[State Administration Council]] (SAC), Myanmar's economy has sharply declined, becoming the weakest in Southeast Asia.<ref name=":3" /> In fiscal year 2024-25, real [[Gross domestic product|GDP]] is projected to contract by 1%, continuing a prolonged downturn following an 18% collapse post-coup.<ref name=":3" /> Agriculture shrank by 4%, while industry and services showed no growth.<ref name=":3" /> As the formal economy contracts, informal and illicit sectors have expanded. Myanmar is now the world's largest opium producer and a major hub for synthetic drugs and online [[scam center]]s.<ref name=":3" /> Foreign investment has plummeted, with FDI approvals dropping from over $5 billion in fiscal year 2019-20 to $662 million in fiscal year 2023-24. International sanctions, financial blacklisting, and growing regulatory opacity have further discouraged engagement.<ref name=":3" />

Poverty has surged nationwide, with 77% of households now poor or near-poor, up from 58% in 2017.<ref name=":3" /> High inflation—driven by extensive money printing—peaked at 35% in 2022 and remains elevated, particularly for food and transport.<ref name=":3" /> Real wages have fallen across sectors, deepening household vulnerability. Labour shortages have worsened due to mass outmigration, particularly after the [[Conscription in Myanmar|2024 conscription law]].<ref name=":3" /> An estimated one-fifth of the population has left their communities due to conflict or hardship, draining the workforce and reducing productivity.<ref name=":3" /> Trade declined in 2023 after a brief rebound, with exports down $4 billion and land border trade sharply reduced in 2024.<ref name=":3" /> The financial sector remains weak, with liquidity shortages, low public trust, and a shrinking microfinance industry.<ref name=":3" />

When the [[Myanmar Kyat|kyat]] fell by a third of its pre-coup value, the [[Central Bank of Myanmar|central bank]] then sold $600 million worth of [[foreign reserves]] (10% of the entire country's total) to prop up the kyat. By April 2022, reserves dwindled, foreign investment fell and remittances plummeted. This led the junta to impose [[capital controls]] and import restrictions which led to shortages of diabetes and cancer medicines.<ref>{{Cite news |title=An economically illiterate junta is running Myanmar into the ground |newspaper=The Economist |url=https://www.economist.com/asia/2022/09/15/an-economically-illiterate-junta-is-running-myanmar-into-the-ground |access-date=2022-10-04 |issn=0013-0613 |archive-date=4 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221004163107/https://www.economist.com/asia/2022/09/15/an-economically-illiterate-junta-is-running-myanmar-into-the-ground |url-status=live }}</ref>

The overall loss of skilled workers has contributed to a 9–11% GDP contraction since 2020.<ref name=":03">{{Cite web |date=2025-03-04 |title=Myanmar's Worsening Human Resource Crisis |url=https://fulcrum.sg/myanmars-worsening-human-resource-crisis/ |access-date=2025-05-20 |website=FULCRUM |language=en-US}}</ref> With the SAC prioritizing military aims over economic and human development, Myanmar faces a prolonged human resource crisis that could impact its economic recovery for decades.<ref name=":03" />

==Still unresolved internal problems==
In a first ever countrywide study in 2013, the Myanmar government found that 37 per cent of the population were unemployed and 26 per cent lived in poverty.<ref name="burmaemploy">{{Cite news |date=26 January 2013 |title=37% jobless in Myanmar, study finds |publisher=Investvine.com |url=http://investvine.com/37-jobless-in-myanmar-study-finds/ |access-date=27 January 2013 |archive-date=8 September 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190908100413/http://investvine.com/37-jobless-in-myanmar-study-finds/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>

The current state of the Burmese economy has also had a significant impact on the [[people of Burma]], as economic hardship results in extreme delays of marriage and family building. The average age of marriage in Burma is 27.5 for men, 26.4 for women, almost unparalleled in the region, with the exception of developed countries like [[Singapore]].<ref name="mya">{{Cite journal |last=Myat Mon |year=2008 |title=The Economic Position of Women in Burma |journal=Asian Studies Review |publisher=Wiley |volume=24 |issue=2 |pages=243–255 |doi=10.1080/10357820008713272 |s2cid=144323033 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=World Marriage Patterns 2000 |url=https://www.un.org/esa/population/publications/worldmarriage/worldmarriagepatterns2000.pdf |access-date=16 January 2018 |website=Un.org |archive-date=25 December 2003 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20031225072830/https://www.un.org/esa/population/publications/worldmarriage/worldmarriagepatterns2000.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>

Burma also has a low fertility rate of 2.07 children per woman (2010), especially as compared to other Southeast Asian countries of similar economic standing, like Cambodia (3.18) and Laos (4.41), representing a significant decline from 4.7 in 1983, despite the absence of a national population policy.<ref name="jon">{{Cite journal |last=Jones |first=Gavin W. |year=2007 |title=Delayed Marriage and Very Low Fertility in Pacific Asia |url=http://dahuang.dhxy.info/population/Delayed_Marriage_Fertility09.pdf |url-status=dead |journal=Population and Development Review |publisher=The Population Council, Inc. |volume=33 |issue=3 |pages=453–478 |doi=10.1111/j.1728-4457.2007.00180.x |archive-url=https://www.webcitation.org/5x361pgmm?url=http://dahuang.dhxy.info/population/Delayed_Marriage_Fertility09.pdf |archive-date=9 March 2011 |access-date=21 September 2010}}</ref> This is at least partly attributed to the economic strain that additional children place on family income, and has resulted in the prevalence of illegal [[abortion]]s in the country, as well as use of other forms of [[birth control]].<ref name="bat">{{Cite journal |last=Ba-Thike |first=Katherine |year=1997 |title=Abortion: A Public Health Problem in Myanmar |journal=Reproductive Health Matters |volume=5 |issue=9 |pages=94–100 |doi=10.1016/s0968-8080(97)90010-0 |jstor=3775140 |doi-access=free}}</ref>

The 2012 foreign investment law draft, included a proposal to transform the [[Myanmar Investment Commission]] from a government-appointed body into an independent board. This could bring greater transparency to the process of issuing investment licenses, according to the proposed reforms drafted by experts and senior officials.<ref name="mic1">{{Cite news |date=5 February 2013 |title=Myanmar to reform investment body |publisher=Investvine.com |url=http://investvine.com/myanmar-to-reform-investment-body/ |access-date=11 February 2013 |archive-date=1 January 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180101155735/http://investvine.com/myanmar-to-reform-investment-body/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> However, even with this draft, it will still remain a question on whether corruption in the government can be addressed (links have been shown between certain key individuals inside the government and the drug trade, as well as many industries that use forced labour -for example the mining industry-).<ref name="javafilms.fr">{{Cite web |title=Burma: Rubies and Religion – Java Films |url=http://www.javafilms.fr/spip.php?article1795 |access-date=16 January 2018 |website=Javafilms.fr |archive-date=6 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160306220800/http://www.javafilms.fr/spip.php?article1795 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Many regions (such as the Golden Triangle) remain off-limits for foreigners, and in some of these regions, the government is at war with the country's ethnic minorities and the opposition.<ref name="javafilms.fr" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=On Patrol With Myanmar Rebels Fighting Both the Army and Drug Addiction – VICE News |url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/on-patrol-with-myanmar-rebels-fighting-both-the-army-and-drug-addiction/ |access-date=16 January 2018 |website=Vice.com |date=23 April 2015 |archive-date=24 January 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160124160059/https://news.vice.com/article/on-patrol-with-myanmar-rebels-fighting-both-the-army-and-drug-addiction |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Industries==
The major agricultural product is rice which covers about 60% of the country's total cultivated land area. Rice accounts for 97% of total food grain production by weight. Through collaboration with the [[International Rice Research Institute]] ([[IRRI]]), 52 modern [[rice]] varieties were released in the country between 1966 and 1997, helping increase national rice production to 14 million tons in 1987 and to 19 million tons in 1996. By 1988, modern varieties were planted on half of the country's rice fields, including 98% of the irrigated areas.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Myanmar and IRRI |url=http://www.irri.org/media/facts/pdfs/myanmar.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050907011925/http://www.irri.org/media/facts/pdfs/myanmar.pdf |archive-date=7 September 2005}}&nbsp;{{small|(21.2&nbsp;KB)}}, Facts About Cooperation, International Rice Research Institute. Retrieved on 25 September 2007.</ref> In 2011, Myanmar's total milled rice production accounted for 10.60 million tons, an increase from the 1.8 per cent back in 2010.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Calderon |first=Justin |date=21 June 2013 |title=Myanmar rice exports could double by 2020 |url=http://investvine.com/myanmar-rice-exports-could-double-by-2020/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131104124205/http://investvine.com/myanmar-rice-exports-could-double-by-2020/ |archive-date=4 November 2013 |access-date=21 June 2013 |website=Inside Investor}}</ref>

In northern Burma, [[opium]] bans have ended a century old tradition of growing [[Opium poppy|poppy]]. Between 20,000 and 30,000 ex-poppy farmers left the [[Kokang]] region as a result of the ban in 2002.<ref name="tni.org">{{Cite web |title=Drugs and Democracy – From Golden Triangle to Rubber Belt? |url=http://www.tni.org/briefing/golden-triangle-rubber-belt |access-date=3 March 2015 |website=Tni.org |date=July 2009 |archive-date=18 March 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150318185043/http://www.tni.org/briefing/golden-triangle-rubber-belt |url-status=live }}</ref>

Rubber plantations are being promoted in areas of high elevation like [[Mong Mao]]. Sugar is grown in the lowlands such as [[Mong Pawk]] District.<ref name="tni.org" />

The lack of an educated workforce skilled in modern technology contributes to the country's economic problems.<ref name="Brown 2005">{{Cite book |last=Brown |first=Ian |title=A Colonial Economy in Crisis |publisher=Routledge |year=2005 |isbn=0-415-30580-2}}</ref>

Lately, the Myanmar lacks adequate infrastructure. Goods travel primarily across Thai and China borders and through the main port in Yangon.

[[Rail transport in Burma|Railroads]] are old and dilapidated, with few repairs since their construction under British rule in the late nineteenth century.<ref name="idea">{{Cite web |date=November 2001 |title=Challenges to Democratization in Burma |url=http://www.idea.int/asia_pacific/burma/upload/chap3.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060723083624/http://www.idea.int/asia_pacific/burma/upload/chap3.pdf |archive-date=23 July 2006 |access-date=12 July 2006 |publisher=International IDEA}}</ref> Presently China and Japan are providing aid to upgrade rail transport. Highways are normally paved, except in remote border regions.<ref name="idea" /> Energy shortages are common throughout the country including in [[Yangon]]. About 30 percent of the country's population does not have access to electricity, with 70 per cent of people living in rural areas. The civilian government has indicated that electricity will be imported from Laos to fulfil demand.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Calderon |first=Justin |date=6 June 2013 |title=Energy: Myanmar's greatest challenge |url=http://investvine.com/energy-myanmars-greatest-challenge/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140214112154/http://investvine.com/energy-myanmars-greatest-challenge/ |archive-date=14 February 2014 |access-date=6 June 2013 |website=Inside Investor}}</ref>

Other industries include agricultural goods, textiles, wood products, construction materials, gems, metals, oil and natural gas.

The [[private sector]] dominates [[agriculture]], [[light industry]], and transport activities, while the government controls [[energy]], [[heavy industry]], and military industries.<ref name=":0" />

===Garment production===
The garment industry is a major job creator in the Yangon area, with around 200,000 workers employed in total in mid-2015.<ref name="set.odi.org">Gelb, S., Calabrese, L. and Tang. X. (2017). [http://set.odi.org/foreign-direct-investment-economic-transformation-myanmar/ ''Foreign direct investment and economic transformation in Myanmar''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170908032232/http://set.odi.org/foreign-direct-investment-economic-transformation-myanmar/ |date=8 September 2017 }}. London: Supporting Economic Transformation programme</ref> The Myanmar Government has introduced minimum wage of MMK 4,800 (US$3.18) per day for the garment workers from March 2018.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Aung |first1=Nyan Linn |last2=Phyo |first2=Pyae Thet |date=6 March 2008 |title=Government sets new daily minimum wage at K4800 |work=Myanmar Times |url=https://www.mmtimes.com/news/government-sets-new-daily-minimum-wage-k4800.html |access-date=9 December 2018 |archive-date=16 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180816130208/https://www.mmtimes.com/news/government-sets-new-daily-minimum-wage-k4800.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>

The Myanmar garments sector has seen significant influx of [[foreign direct investment]], if measured by the number of entries
rather than their value. In March 2012, six of Thailand's largest garment manufacturers announced that they would move production to Myanmar, principally to the [[Yangon]] area, citing lower labour costs.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Pratruangkrai |first=Petchanet |date=17 March 2012 |title=Six top garment makers fleeing to low-wage Burma |work=The Nation |url=http://www.nationmultimedia.com/business/Six-top-garment-makers-fleeing-to-low-wage-Burma-30178149.html |access-date=17 March 2012 |archive-date=22 June 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190622045227/http://www.nationmultimedia.com/business/Six-top-garment-makers-fleeing-to-low-wage-Burma-30178149.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> In mid-2015, about 55% of officially registered garment firms in Myanmar were known to be fully or partly foreign-owned, with about 25% of the foreign firms from China and 17% from Hong Kong.<ref name="set.odi.org" /> Foreign-linked firms supply almost all garment exports, and these have risen rapidly in recent years, especially since EU sanctions were lifted in 2012.<ref name="set.odi.org" /> Myanmar exported $1.6 billion worth of garments and textiles in 2016.

===Illegal drug trade===
{{Further|Opium production in Burma}}
{{see also|Golden Triangle (Southeast Asia)}}

[[File:HeroinWorld-en.svg|thumb|450px|A world map of the world's primary opium or heroin producers. The [[Golden Triangle (Southeast Asia)|Golden Triangle]] region, which Burma is part of, is pinpointed in this map.]]

Burma (Myanmar) is the largest producer of [[methamphetamine]]s in the world, with the majority of ''[[ya ba]]'' found in Thailand produced in Burma, particularly in the [[Golden Triangle (Southeast Asia)|Golden Triangle]] and Northeastern [[Shan State]], which borders Thailand, Laos and China.<ref name="thornton">{{Cite news |last=Thornton |first=Phil |date=12 February 2012 |title=Myanmar's rising drug trade |work=Bangkok Post |url=http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/investigation/279434/myanmar-reforms-mask-meteoric-rise-in-drug-trade |access-date=19 February 2012}}</ref> Burmese-produced ''[[ya ba]]'' is typically trafficked to Thailand via [[Laos]], before being transported through the northeastern Thai region of [[Isan]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=McCartan |first=Brian |date=13 July 2010 |title=Holes in Thailand's drug fences |work=Asia Times |url=http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Southeast_Asia/LG13Ae01.html |url-status=unfit |access-date=19 February 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100715054055/http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Southeast_Asia/LG13Ae01.html |archive-date=15 July 2010}}</ref>

In 2010, Burma trafficked 1 billion tablets to neighbouring Thailand.<ref name="thornton" /> In 2009, the Chinese authorities seized over 40 million tablets that had been illegally trafficked from Burma.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Macan-Markar |first=Marwaan |date=4 January 2011 |title=Myanmar's drug 'exports' to China test ties |work=Asia Times |url=http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Southeast_Asia/MA04Ae01.html |url-status=unfit |access-date=19 February 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110106034349/http://atimes.com/atimes/Southeast_Asia/MA04Ae01.html |archive-date=6 January 2011}}</ref> Ethnic militias and rebel groups (in particular the [[United Wa State Army]]) are responsible for much of this production; however, the Burmese military units are believed to be heavily involved in the trafficking of the drugs.<ref name="thornton" />

Burma is also the second largest supplier of opium (following [[Opium production in Afghanistan|Afghanistan]]) in the world, with 95% of opium grown in [[Shan State]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=25 June 2010 |title=MYANMAR: Producing drugs for the region, fuelling addiction at home |work=IRIN |publisher=UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs |url=http://www.irinnews.org/report.aspx?reportid=89622 |access-date=19 February 2012 |archive-date=25 September 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110925081622/http://www.irinnews.org/report.aspx?ReportId=89622 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Kurlantzick |first=Joshua |date=16 February 2012 |title=Myanmar's Drug Problem |work=Asia Unbound |publisher=Council on Foreign Relations |url=http://blogs.cfr.org/asia/2012/02/16/myanmars-drug-problem/ |url-status=dead |access-date=19 February 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120219084137/http://blogs.cfr.org/asia/2012/02/16/myanmars-drug-problem/ |archive-date=19 February 2012}}</ref> Illegal narcotics have generated $1 to US$2 billion in exports annually, with estimates of 40% of the country's foreign exchange coming from drugs.<ref name="thornton" /><ref>{{Cite journal |last=Sun Wyler |first=Liana |date=21 August 2008 |title=Burma and Transnational Crime |url=https://fas.org/sgp/crs/row/RL34225.pdf |journal=CRS Report for Congress |publisher=Congressional Research Service |access-date=11 November 2015 |archive-date=9 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160309114841/https://fas.org/sgp/crs/row/RL34225.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> Efforts to eradicate opium cultivation have pushed many ethnic rebel groups, including the United Wa State Army and the [[Kokang]] to diversify into methamphetamine production.

Prior to the 1980s, heroin was typically transported from Burma to Thailand, before being trafficked by sea to [[Hong Kong]], which was and still remains the major transit point at which heroin enters the [[international market]]. Now, drug trafficking has shifted to [[southern China]] (from [[Yunnan]], [[Guizhou]], [[Guangxi]], [[Guangdong]]) because of a growing market for drugs in China, before reaching Hong Kong.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Chin |first1=Ko-lin |last2=Sheldon X. Zhang |date=April 2007 |title=The Chinese Connection: Cross-border Drug Trafficking between Myanmar and China |url=https://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/nij/grants/218254.pdf |publisher=U.S. Department of Justice |pages=98 |access-date=19 February 2012 |archive-date=30 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200730222548/https://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/nij/grants/218254.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>

The prominence of major drug traffickers have allowed them to penetrate other sectors of the Burmese economy, including the banking, airline, hotel and infrastructure industries.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Chin |first=Ko-lin |title=The Golden Triangle: inside Southeast Asia's drug trade |publisher=Cornell University Press |year=2009 |isbn=978-0-8014-7521-4 |pages=239–240}}</ref> Their investment in infrastructure have allowed them to make more profits, facilitate drug trafficking and money laundering.<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Lyman |first1=Michael D. |url=https://archive.org/details/isbn_2901437744506 |title=Drugs in Society: Causes, Concepts and Control |last2=Gary W. Potter |date=14 October 2010 |publisher=Elsevier |isbn=978-1-4377-4450-7 |url-access=registration}}</ref> The share of informal economy in Myanmar is one of the largest in the world that feeds into trade in illegal drugs.<ref name=":0">Stokke, Kristian; Vakulchuk, Roman and Indra Overland (2018) [https://www.researchgate.net/publication/323018961 Myanmar: A Political Economy Analysis.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200728150758/https://www.researchgate.net/publication/323018961_Myanmar_A_Political_Economy_Analysis |date=28 July 2020 }} Norwegian Institute of International Affairs (NUPI). Report commissioned by the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.</ref>

===Oil and gas===
{{main|Oil and gas industry in Myanmar}}
[[File:Denko Gas Station Naypyidaw.jpg|thumb|A petrol station in [[Naypyidaw]]]]
* [[Myanma Oil and Gas Enterprise]] (MOGE) is the national oil and gas company of Burma. The company is a sole operator of oil and gas exploration and production, as well as domestic gas transmission through a {{convert|1200|mi|km|-2|order=flip|adj=on}} onshore pipeline grid.<ref name="total">{{Cite web |title=Oil and Gas in Myanmar |url=http://burma.total.com/en/contexte/p_1_2.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20031212060349/http://burma.total.com/en/contexte/p_1_2.htm |archive-date=12 December 2003 |access-date=20 January 2009 |publisher=Total S.A.}}</ref><ref name="mt1">{{Cite news |last=Ye Lwin |date=21 July 2008 |title=Oil and gas ranks second largest FDI at $3.24 billion |work=The Myanmar Times |url=http://www.mmtimes.com/feature/energy08/eng002.htm |url-status=dead |access-date=20 January 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100104083636/http://mmtimes.com/feature/energy08/eng002.htm |archive-date=4 January 2010}}</ref>
* The [[Yadana Project]] is a project to exploit the Yadana gas field in the [[Andaman Sea]] and to carry [[natural gas]] to Thailand through Myanmar.
* [[Sino-Burma pipelines]] refers to planned oil and natural gas pipelines linking Burma's deep-water port of [[Kyaukphyu]] ([[Sittwe]]) in the [[Bay of Bengal]] with [[Kunming]] in [[Yunnan|Yunnan province]], China.
* The Norwegian company Seadrill owned by John Fredriksen is involved in offshore oil drilling, expected to give the Burmese government oil and oil export revenues.
* Myanmar exported $3.5 billion worth of gas, mostly to Thailand in the fiscal year up to March 2012.<ref name="newbids">{{Cite news |date=23 January 2013 |title=Myanmar opens bids for 18 oil blocks |publisher=Investvine.com |url=http://investvine.com/myanmar-opens-bids-for-18-oil-blocks/ |access-date=24 January 2013 |archive-date=7 December 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131207162433/http://investvine.com/myanmar-opens-bids-for-18-oil-blocks/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>
* Initiation to bid on oil exploration licenses for 18 of Myanmar's onshore oil blocks has been released on 18 January 2013.<ref name=newbids/>

=== Renewable energy ===
Myanmar has rich solar power and hydropower potential. The country's technical solar power potential is the greatest among the countries of the Greater Mekong Subregion. Wind energy, biogas and biomass have limited potential and are weakly developed.<ref>Vakulchuk, Roman; Kyaw Kyaw Hlaing; Edward Ziwa Naing; Indra Overland; Beni Suryadi and Sanjayan Velautham (2017). [https://www.researchgate.net/publication/317954536 ''Myanmar's Attractiveness for Investment in the Energy Sector. A Comparative International Perspective''.] Norwegian Institute of International Affairs (NUPI) and Myanmar Institute of Strategic and International Studies (MISIS) Report.</ref>

Financing geothermal projects in Myanmar use an estimated break even power cost of 5.3–8.6 U.S cents/kWh or in Myanmar Kyat 53–86K per kWh. This pegs a non-fluctuating $1=1000K, which is a main concern for power project funding. The main drawback with depreciation pressures, in the current FX market.
Between June 2012 and October 2015, the Myanmar Kyat depreciated by approximately 35%, from 850 down to 1300 against the US Dollar. Local businesses with foreign denominated loans from abroad suddenly found themselves rushing for a strategy to mitigate currency risks. Myanmar's current lack of available currency hedging solutions presents a real challenge for geothermal project financing.<ref>{{Citation |last=DuByne |first=David |title=How Myanmar can Hedge Foreign Loans for Geothermal Projects to Mitigate Kyat Devaluation Risks |date=November 2015 |url=http://www.oilseedcrops.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/How-Myanmar-can-Hedge-Foreign-Loans-for-Geothermal-Projects-to-Mitigate-Devaluation-Risks_David-DuByne-1.pdf |work=OilSeedCrops.org |access-date=22 November 2015 |archive-date=22 November 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151122170827/http://www.oilseedcrops.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/How-Myanmar-can-Hedge-Foreign-Loans-for-Geothermal-Projects-to-Mitigate-Devaluation-Risks_David-DuByne-1.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Gemstones===
Myanmar's economy depends heavily on sales of precious stones such as [[sapphire]]s, [[pearl]]s and [[jade]]. [[Rubies]] are the biggest earner; 90% of the world's [[rubies]] come from the country, whose red stones are prized for their purity and [[hue]]. Thailand buys the majority of the country's [[Gemstone|gems]]. Burma's "''Valley of Rubies''", the mountainous [[Mogok Township|Mogok]] area, {{convert|200|km|mi|abbr=on}} north of [[Mandalay]], is noted for its rare pigeon's blood rubies and blue [[sapphire]]s.<ref name="uvm.edu">[http://www.uvm.edu/envnr/gemecology/index.html Gems of Burma and their Environmental Impact] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100526104410/http://www.uvm.edu/envnr/gemecology/index.html |date=26 May 2010 }}</ref> Burma's gemstone industry is a cornerstone of the Burmese economy with exports topping $1 billion.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Myanmar's Jade Millionaires Fuel Property Surge: Southeast Asia |url=http://www.thejakartaglobe.com/business/myanmars-jade-millionaires-fuel-property-surge-southeast-asia/548164 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121007022002/http://www.thejakartaglobe.com/business/myanmars-jade-millionaires-fuel-property-surge-southeast-asia/548164 |archive-date=7 October 2012 |access-date=3 March 2015 |website=The Jakarta Globe}}</ref>

In 2007, following the [[2007 Burmese anti-government protests|crackdown on pro-democracy protests in Myanmar]], human rights organisations, gem dealers, and US First Lady [[Laura Bush]] called for a boycott of a Myanmar gem auction held twice yearly, arguing that the sale of the stones profited the dictatorial regime in that country.<ref>{{Cite web |title=CBC – Gem dealers push to ban Burmese rubies after bloody crackdown |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/gem-dealers-push-to-ban-burmese-rubies-after-bloody-crackdown-1.651095 |access-date=16 January 2018 |website=Cbc.ca |archive-date=3 July 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070703045949/http://www.cbc.ca/consumer/story/2007/11/19/rubies.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Debbie Stothard of the Alternative [[ASEAN]] Network on Burma stated that mining operators used drugs on employees to improve productivity, with needles shared, raising the risk of [[HIV]] infection.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Reuters, Move over, blood diamonds |url=http://features.us.reuters.com/cover/news/MAN51776.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080216034620/http://features.us.reuters.com/cover/news/MAN51776.html |archive-date=16 February 2008 |access-date=16 January 2018 |website=Features.us.reuters.com}}</ref> [[Richard W. Hughes]], a Bangkok-based gemologist makes the point that for every ruby sold through the junta, another gem that supports subsistence mining is smuggled over the Thai border.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Richard Hughes |title=Burma Embargo & the Gem Trade |url=http://www.ruby-sapphire.com/burma-embargo2.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150211080939/http://ruby-sapphire.com/burma-embargo2.htm |archive-date=11 February 2015 |access-date=3 March 2015 |website=Ruby-sapphire.com}}</ref>

The Chinese have also been the chief driving force behind Burma's gem mining industry and jade exports.<ref>{{Cite book |title=Chinese Circulations: Capital, Commodities, and Networks in Southeast Asia |last1= Chang |first1= Wen-chin |last2=Tagliacozzo  |first2=Eric  |publisher= Duke University Press |isbn= 978-0-8223-4903-7 |publication-date=April 13, 2011 |pages=215–216}}</ref> The industry is completely under Chinese hands at every level, from the financiers, concession operators, all the way to the retail merchants that own scores of newly opened gem markets. One Chinese-owned jeweller reportedly controls 100 gem mines and produces over 2,000 kilograms of raw rubies annually. Since the privatization of the gem industry during the 1990s, Burmese jewelers and entrepreneurs of Chinese ancestry have transformed Burma's gem industry into new retail jewelry shops, selling coveted pieces of expensive jewelry to customers mainly hailing from Hong Kong and Taiwan.<ref name="Chua 2003 28">{{Cite book |title=World On Fire |last=Chua | first=Amy |publisher=Knopf Doubleday Publishing |year=2003 |isbn=978-0-385-72186-8 |page=28}}</ref>

The permits for new gem mines in Mogoke, Mineshu and Nanyar state will be issued by the ministry according to a statement issued by the ministry on 11 February. While many sanctions placed on the former regime were eased or lifted in 2012, the US has left restrictions on importing rubies and jade from Myanmar intact. According to recent amendments to the new Myanmar foreign investment law, there is no longer a minimum capital requirement for investments, except in mining ventures, which require substantial proof of capital and must be documented through a domestic bank. Another important clarification in the investment law is the dropping of foreign ownership restrictions in joint ventures, except in restricted sectors, such as mining, where FDI will be capped at 80 per cent.<ref name="bmp">{{Cite news |date=20 February 2013 |title=Mining block permits issued in Myanmar |publisher=Investvine.com |url=http://investvine.com/mining-block-permits-issued-in-myanmar/ |access-date=20 February 2013 |archive-date=4 March 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130304160838/http://investvine.com/mining-block-permits-issued-in-myanmar/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Myanmar is famed for its production of Golden South Sea Pearls. In recent years, the countries has auctioned its production in Hong Kong, first organized by [[Belpearl]] company in 2013 to critical acclaim and premium prices due to strong Chinese demand.  Notable pearls include the New Dawn of Myanmar, a 19mm round golden pearl which sold to an anonymous buyer for undisclosed price.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://news.jewellerynet.com/en/jnanews/features/23180/061019-Belpearl-Auctions-Connecting-the-pearl-business-to-global-markets |title=Belpearl Auctions: Connecting the pearl business to global markets|author=<!--Not stated--> |date= 10 June 2019|website= jewellerynet.com|publisher= |access-date= 13 December 2024}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url= https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/article/1185717/myanmars-golden-pearls-fetch-top-price-auction|title= Myanmar's golden pearls fetch top price at auction|last= Choi|first= Christy|date= 8 March 2013|website= [[South China Morning Post]]|publisher= |access-date= 13 December 2024|archive-date= 26 April 2017|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170426104916/https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/article/1185717/myanmars-golden-pearls-fetch-top-price-auction|url-status= bot: unknown}}</ref>

===Tourism===
{{Main|Tourism in Burma}}
Since 1992, the government has encouraged tourism. Until 2008, fewer than 750,000 tourists entered the country annually,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Henderson |first=Joan C. |title=The Politics of Tourism in Myanmar |url=http://www.multilingual-matters.net/cit/006/0097/cit0060097.pdf |access-date=17 October 2008 |publisher=[[Nanyang Technological University]] |archive-date=25 February 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090225074735/http://www.multilingual-matters.net/cit/006/0097/cit0060097.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> but there has been substantial growth over the past years. In 2012, 1.06 million tourists visited the country,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Tourism Statistic |url=http://www.myanmartourism.org/tourismstatistics.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130729105346/http://www.myanmartourism.org/tourismstatistics.htm |archive-date=29 July 2013 |access-date=25 July 2013}}</ref> and 1.8 million are expected to visit by the end of 2013.

Tourism is a growing sector of the economy of Burma. Burma has diverse and varied tourist attractions and is served internationally by numerous airlines via direct flights. Domestic and foreign airlines also operate flights within the country. Cruise ships also dock at Yangon.  Overland entry with a border pass is permitted at several border checkpoints. The government requires a valid passport with an entry visa for all tourists and business people. As of May 2010, foreign business visitors from any country can apply for a visa on arrival when passing through Yangon and Mandalay international airports without having to make any prior arrangements with travel agencies.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Industry applauds visa on arrival 'breakthrough' &#124; Myanmar Times |url=http://www.mmtimes.com/2010/news/522/news01.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110621080539/http://mmtimes.com/2010/news/522/news01.html |archive-date=21 June 2011 |access-date=28 June 2010}}</ref> Both the tourist visa and business visa are valid for 28 days, renewable for an additional 14 days for tourism and three months for business.  Seeing Burma through a personal tour guide is popular. Travellers can hire guides through travel agencies.

[[Aung San Suu Kyi]] has requested that international tourists not visit Burma.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Henderson |first=Joan C. |title=The Politics of Tourism in Myanmar |url=http://www.channelviewpublications.net/cit/006/0097/cit0060097.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080909232019/http://www.channelviewpublications.net/cit/006/0097/cit0060097.pdf |archive-date=9 September 2008 |access-date=8 July 2006 |publisher=[[Nanyang Technological University]]}}</ref> Moreoever, the junta's forced labour programmes were focused on tourist destinations; these designations have been heavily criticised for their human rights records. Even disregarding the obviously governmental fees, Burma's Minister of Hotels and Tourism Major-General [[Saw Lwin]]  admitted that the government receives a significant percentage of the income of private sector tourism services. In addition, only a very small minority of impoverished people in Burma receive any money with any relation to tourism.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Tayzathuria |url=http://www.tayzathuria.org.uk/bd/2006/12/24/re.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110430235921/http://www.tayzathuria.org.uk/bd/2006/12/24/re.htm |archive-date=30 April 2011 |access-date=3 March 2015 |website=Tayzathuria.org.uk}}</ref>

Before 2012, much of the country was completely off-limits to tourists, and the military tightly controlled interactions between foreigners and the people of Burma. Locals were not allowed to discuss politics with foreigners, under penalty of imprisonment, and in 2001, the Myanmar Tourism Promotion Board issued an order for local officials to protect tourists and limit "unnecessary contact" between foreigners and ordinary Burmese people. Since 2012, Burma has opened up to more tourism and foreign capital, synonymous with the country's transition to democracy.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.burmacampaign.org.uk/action_holiday.html|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090429173300/http://www.burmacampaign.org.uk/action_holiday.html|url-status=dead|title=The Tourism Campaign – Campaigns – The Burma Campaign UK<!-- Bot generated title -->|archivedate=29 April 2009}}</ref>

===Infrastructure===
The Myanmar Infrastructure Summit 2018 noted that Myanmar has an urgent need to "close its infrastructure gap", with an anticipated expenditure of US$120 billion funding its infrastructural projects between now and 2030. More specifically, infrastructural development in Myanmar should address three major challenges over the upcoming years: 1) Road modernization and integration with neighboring roads and transportation networks; 2) Development of regional airports and expansion of existing airport capacity, and 3) Maintenance and consolidation of urban transport infrastructure, through instalments of innovative transportation tools including but not limited to water-taxis and air-conditioned buses. Myanmar needs to scale up its enabling infrastructure like transport, power supply and public utilities.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://documents.worldbank.org/curated/en/111271527015535987/pdf/126403-WP-v2-PUBLIC-MEM-MASTER-clean-with-cover.pdf |title=World Bank Group. Myanmar Economic Monitor May 2018<!-- Bot generated title --> |access-date=3 July 2019 |archive-date=1 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190101180842/http://documents.worldbank.org/curated/en/111271527015535987/pdf/126403-WP-v2-PUBLIC-MEM-MASTER-clean-with-cover.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>

China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) infrastructure projects may affect 24 million people in Myanmar living in the BRI corridors, thus transforming the allocation of economic benefits and losses among economic actors in the country.<ref>Mark, S., Overland, I. and Vakulchuk, R., 2020. Sharing the Spoils: Winners and Losers in the Belt and Road Initiative in Myanmar. ''Journal of Current Southeast Asian Affairs'', ''39''(3), pp.381-404. https://doi.org/10.1177/1868103420962116</ref>

==External trade==
[[File:2006Burmese exports.PNG|thumb|450px|Burmese exports in 2006]]
{| class="wikitable"
|+'''2006–2007 Financial Year Trade volume (in US$000,000)'''
|- style="background:#efefef;"
| rowspan="2"| Sr. No.
| rowspan="2"| Description
| colspan="3" style="text-align:center; "| 2006–2007 Budget Trade Volume
| colspan="4" style="text-align:center; "| 2006–2007 Real Trade Volume
|-
!| Export || Import || Trade Volume|| Export || Import || Trade Volume
|-
| 1 || Normal Trade ||4233.60 || 2468.40 ||align="right"| 6702.00 || 4585.47 || 2491.33  || style="text-align:right;"|7076.80
|-
| 2 || Border Trade || 814.00 || 466.00 || style="text-align:right;"|1280.00 || 647.21 || 445.40  || style="text-align:right;"|1092.61
|-
|  ||  Total || 5047.60 || 2934.40 || style="text-align:right;"|7982.00 || 5232.68 || 2936.73 || style="text-align:right;"|8169.41
|}

{| class="wikitable"
|+'''Total Trade Value for Financial year 2006–2007 to Financial year 2009–2010'''
! No ||    Financial Year || Export Value || Import Value ||Trade Value (US$, 000,000)
|-
| 1 || style="text-align:center;"| 2006–2007 || style="text-align:right;"| 5222.92 || style="text-align:right;"| 2928.39 || style="text-align:right;"| 8151.31
|-
| 2 || style="text-align:center;"| 2007–2008 || style="text-align:right;"| 6413.29 || style="text-align:right;"| 3346.64 || style="text-align:right;"| 9759.93
|-
| 3 || style="text-align:center;"| 2008–2009 || style="text-align:right;"| 6792.85 || style="text-align:right;"| 4563.16 || style="text-align:right;"| 11356.01
|-
| 4 || style="text-align:center;"| 2009–2010 || style="text-align:right;"| 7568.62 || style="text-align:right;"| 4186.28 || style="text-align:right;"| 11754.90
|}

==Macro-economic trends==
This is a chart of trend of gross domestic product of Burma at market prices [https://web.archive.org/web/20050322011051/http://www.econstats.com/IMF/IFS_Mya1_99B__.htm#Year estimated] by the [[International Monetary Fund]] and EconStats with figures in millions of [[Myanmar kyat]]s.

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Year || Gross Domestic Product || US dollar exchange<ref>{{Cite web |title=Myanmar TradeNet |url=http://www.myanmartradenet.com/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081013192500/http://www.myanmartradenet.com/ |archive-date=13 October 2008 |access-date=25 October 2008}}</ref>|| Inflation index (2000=100)
|-
| 1965 || 7,627 || ||
|-
| 1970 || 10,437 || ||
|-
| 1975 || 23,477 || ||
|-
| 1980 || 38,608 || ||
|-
| 1985 || 55,988 || ||
|-
| 1990 || 151,941 || ||
|-
| 1995 || 604,728 || ||
|}

The following table shows the main economic indicators in 1999–2024.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Report for Selected Countries and Subjects |url=https://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/weo/2018/01/weodata/weorept.aspx?sy=1997&ey=2023&scsm=1&ssd=1&sort=country&ds=.&br=1&c=518&s=NGDP_RPCH,PPPGDP,PPPPC,PCPIPCH,GGXWDG_NGDP&grp=0&a=&pr.x=40&pr.y=12 |access-date=2018-08-27 |language=en-US |archive-date=29 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180829072222/https://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/weo/2018/01/weodata/weorept.aspx?sy=1997&ey=2023&scsm=1&ssd=1&sort=country&ds=.&br=1&c=518&s=NGDP_RPCH,PPPGDP,PPPPC,PCPIPCH,GGXWDG_NGDP&grp=0&a=&pr.x=40&pr.y=12 |url-status=live }}</ref>
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;"
!Year
!GDP (in billion US$ PPP)
!GDP per capita (in US$ PPP)
!GDP (in billion US$ nominal)
!GDP growth (real)
!Inflation (in Percent)
!Government debt (in % of GDP)
|-
|1999
|32.59
|725
|6.04
|8.4%
|26.8%
|155%
|-
|2000
|37.47
|822
|7.26
|12.4%
|4.3%
|169%
|-
|2001
|43.09
|934
|6.69
|12.5%
|'''–'''19.8%
|269%
|-
|2002
|48.11
|1,033
|6.50
|9.9%
|21.9%
|196%
|-
|2003
|55.53
|1,182
|8.34
|13.2%
|47.5%
|150%
|-
|2004
|65.76
|1,390
|10.10
|15.3%
|8.0%
|130%
|-
|2005
|77.02
|1,618
|11.38
|13.6%
|6.9%
|122%
|-
|2006
|89.96
|1,879
|12.75
|13.3%
|16.6%
|106%
|-
|2007
|103.95
|2,157
|16.76
|12.5%
|34.4%
|80%
|-
|2008
|113.96
|2,350
|23.91
|7.6%
|20.9%
|61%
|-
|2009
|119.69
|2,452
|28.97
|4.4%
|3.7%
|58%
|-
|2010
|127.50
|2,594
|35.75
|5.2%
|5.9%
|56%
|-
|2011
|137.25
|2,772
|50.29
|5.5%
|6.8%
|51%
|-
|2012
|148.87
|2,983
|55.13
|6.5%
|0.4%
|49%
|-
|2013
|163.37
|3,246
|59.18
|7.9%
|6.4%
|46%
|-
|2014
|179.84
|3,543
|63.15
|8.2%
|5.7%
|35%
|-
|2015
|195.07
|3,810
|62.66
|7.5%
|7.3%
|36%
|-
|2016
|209.55
|4,058
|60.09
|6.4%
|9.1%
|38%
|-
|2017
|225.56
|4,334
|61.27
|5.8%
|4.6%
|40%
|-
|2018
|270.05
|5,149
|66.70
|6.4%
|5.9%
|40%
|-
|2019
|300.15
|5,681
|68.80
|6.8%
|8.6%
|39%
|-
|2020
|310.84
|5,843
|77.80
|'''–'''1.2%
|5.7%
|41%
|-
|2021
|251.02
|4,688
|68.05
|'''–'''10.5%
|3.6%
|61%
|-
|2022
|258.25
|4,793
|61.77
|'''–'''4.0%
|18.4%
|62%
|-
|2023
|274.34
|5,061
|64.51
|2.5%
|27.1%
|60%
|-
|2024
|283.75
|5,206
|64.28
|1.0%
|22.0%
|61%
|}

According to the CIA World Factbook,<ref>{{Cite web |title=The World Factbook |url=https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/burma/ |access-date=3 March 2015 |website=Cia.gov |archive-date=10 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210210200835/https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/burma/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
{{blockquote|Burma, a resource-rich country, suffers from pervasive government controls, inefficient economic policies, and rural poverty. The junta took steps in the early 1990s to liberalize the economy after decades of failure under the "Burmese Way to Socialism," but those efforts stalled, and some of the liberalization measures were rescinded. Burma does not have monetary or fiscal stability, so the economy suffers from serious macroeconomic imbalances – including inflation, multiple official exchange rates that overvalue the Burmese kyat, and a distorted interest rate regime. Most overseas development assistance ceased after the junta began to suppress the democracy movement in 1988 and subsequently refused to honor the results of the 1990 legislative elections. In response to the government of Burma's attack in May 2003 on [[Aung San Suu Kyi]] and her convoy, the US imposed new economic sanctions against Burma – including a ban on imports of Burmese products and a ban on provision of financial services by US persons. A poor investment climate further slowed the inflow of foreign exchange. The most productive sectors will continue to be in extractive industries, especially oil and gas, mining, and timber. Other areas, such as manufacturing and services, are struggling with inadequate infrastructure, unpredictable import/export policies, deteriorating health and education systems, and corruption. [[2003 Myanmar Banking Crisis|A major banking crisis in 2003]] shuttered the country's 20 private banks and disrupted the economy. As of December 2005, the largest private banks operate under tight restrictions limiting the private sector's access to formal credit. Official statistics are inaccurate. Published statistics on foreign trade are greatly understated because of the size of the black market and unofficial border trade – often estimated to be as large as the official economy. Burma's trade with Thailand, China, and India is rising. Though the Burmese government has good economic relations with its neighbors, better investment and business climates and an improved political situation are needed to promote foreign investment, exports, and tourism.}} The economy saw continuous real GDP growth of at least 5% from 2009 onwards.

==Foreign investment==
Though foreign investment has been encouraged, it has so far met with only moderate success. The United States has placed trade sanctions on Burma. The [[European Union]] has placed embargoes on arms, non-humanitarian aid, visa bans on military regime leaders, and limited investment bans. Both the European Union and the US have placed sanctions on grounds of [[human rights]] violations in the country. Many nations in Asia, particularly India, Thailand and China have actively traded with Burma. However, on April 22, 2013, the EU suspended economic and political sanctions against Burma.<ref name="investvine">{{cite web |last=Calderon |first=Justin |date=24 April 2013 |title=End of EU sanctions augurs Myanmar rush |url=http://investvine.com/end-of-eu-sanctions-augurs-myanmar-rush/ |access-date=29 April 2013 |website=Inside Investor |archive-date=17 June 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130617191152/http://investvine.com/end-of-eu-sanctions-augurs-myanmar-rush/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>

The public sector enterprises remain highly inefficient and also privatisation efforts have stalled.{{citation needed|date=February 2007}} The estimates of Burmese foreign trade are highly ambiguous because of the great volume of [[black market]] trading. A major ongoing problem is the failure to achieve [[monetary]] and [[fiscal policy|fiscal]] stability. One government initiative was to utilise Burma's large [[natural gas]] deposits. Currently, Burma has attracted investment from Thai, Malaysian, Filipino, Russian, Australian, Indian, and Singaporean companies.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.financialexpress-bd.com/index3.asp?cnd=12%2F15%2F2006&section_id=24&newsid=46742&spcl=no |title=VOL NO REGD NO DA 1589 |access-date=2 November 2023 |archive-date=27 September 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927050340/http://www.financialexpress-bd.com/index3.asp?cnd=12%2F15%2F2006&section_id=24&newsid=46742&spcl=no |url-status=live }}</ref> Trade with the US amounted to $243.56 million as of February 2013, accounting for 15 projects and just 0.58 per cent of the total, according to government statistics.<ref>{{cite web |last=Calderon |first=Justin |date=29 April 2013 |title=US to boost Myanmar trade, investment |url=http://investvine.com/us-looks-to-boost-myanmar-trade-investment/ |access-date=29 April 2013 |website=Inside Investor |archive-date=20 May 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130520045331/http://investvine.com/us-looks-to-boost-myanmar-trade-investment/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>

===Asian investment===
''[[The Economist]]''{{'}}s special report on Burma points to increased economic activity resulting from Burma's political transformation and influx of foreign direct investment from Asian neighbours.<ref name="Economist Rite">{{Cite news |date=25 May 2013 |title=Geopolitical consequences: Rite of passage |newspaper=The Economist |url=https://www.economist.com/news/special-report/21578174-opening-up-myanmar-could-transform-rest-asia-rite-passage |access-date=31 May 2013 |archive-date=31 May 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130531041427/http://www.economist.com/news/special-report/21578174-opening-up-myanmar-could-transform-rest-asia-rite-passage |url-status=live }}</ref> Near the [[Mingaladon Township|Mingaladon]] Industrial Park, for example, Japanese-owned factories have risen from the "debris" caused by "decades of sanctions and economic mismanagement."<ref name="Economist Rite" /> Japanese Prime Minister [[Shinzō Abe]] has identified Burma as an economically attractive market that will help stimulate the Japanese economy.<ref name="Economist Rite" /> Among its various enterprises, Japan is helping build the [[Thilawa Port]], which is part of the [[Thilawa Special Economic Zone]], and helping fix the electricity supply in [[Yangon]].<ref name="Economist Rite" />

Japan is not the largest investor in Myanmar. "Thailand, for instance, the second biggest investor in Myanmar after China, is forging ahead with a bigger version of Thilawa at [[Dawei]], on Myanmar's [[Tenasserim Division|Tenasserim Coast]]&nbsp;... Thai rulers have for centuries been toying with the idea of building a canal across the [[Kra Isthmus]], linking the [[Gulf of Thailand]] directly to the [[Andaman Sea]] and the [[Indian Ocean]] to avoid the journey round peninsular Malaysia through the [[Strait of Malacca]]." Dawei would give Thailand that connection.<ref name="Economist Rite" />

===Chinese investment===
{{main|BCIM Economic Corridor}}
China, by far the biggest investor in Burma, has focused on constructing oil and gas pipelines that "crisscross the country, starting from a new terminus at [[Kyaukphyu]], just below [[Sittwe]], up to [[Mandalay]] and on to the Chinese border town of [[Ruili]] and then [[Kunming]], the capital of [[Yunnan province]]". This would prevent China from "having to funnel oil from Africa and the Middle East through the bottleneck around Singapore".<ref name="Economist Rite" />

Since the Myanmar's military junta took power as the [[State Peace and Development Council]] junta in 1988, the ties between China's [[People's Liberation Army]] and Myanmar's military forces developed and formalised key ties between the two states. China became Myanmar's key source of aid, loans and other financial assistance. China remained Myanmar's biggest foreign investor in 2013 even after the economy opened up to other providers like Japan and India. Chinese monetary assistance allowed China to gain structural power of Myanmar and a dominant position within the [[natural resource]] sector. During this period, an underdeveloped Burmese industrial sector was driven in part by Chinese investment and consumption of a few key extractive sectors such as mining, driving domestic production away from consumer goods sectors like textiles and electronics.<ref>{{Cite book |title=Chinese Foreign Relations with Weak Peripheral States: Asymmetrical Economic Power and Insecurity |last=Reeves |first=Jeffrey  |publisher= Routledge |year=2015 |isbn= 978-1-138-89150-0 |series=Asian Security Studies |publication-date=November 2, 2015 |pages=153–156}}</ref>

[[File:Myanmar-China Border Yanlonkyine Gate.jpg|thumb|right|Yanlonkyine Gate on the Myanmar-China Border within [[Kokang Self-Administered Zone]] in 2019.]]

Legal two-way trade between Burma and mainland China reached US$1.5 billion annually by 1988 and additional Chinese trade, investment, economic, and military aid was sought to invigorate and jumpstart the re-emerging Burmese economy.{{citation needed|date=September 2024}} An influx of foreign capital investment from mainland China, Germany, and France has led to the development of new potential construction projects across Burma.<ref>{{Cite book |title=China's Asian Dream: Empire Building Along the New Silk Road |last= Miller  |first=Tom |publisher=Zed Books |year=2017 |isbn= 978-1-78360-923-9}}</ref> Many of these infrastructure projects are in the hands of Chinese construction contractors and civil engineers with various projects such as irrigation dams, highways, bridges, ground satellite stations, and an international airport for Mandalay.<ref>{{Cite book |title=World On Fire |last=Chua | first=Amy |publisher=Knopf Doubleday Publishing |year=2003 |isbn=978-0-385-72186-8 |pages=[https://archive.org/details/worldonfirehowex00chua_0/page/25 25] |url=https://archive.org/details/worldonfirehowex00chua_0/page/25 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |title=Impact of China's Rise on the Mekong Region |last=Santasombat |first=Yos  |publisher=Palgrave Macmillan |year=2015 |isbn=978-1-349-69307-8}}</ref> Burmese entrepreneurs of Chinese ancestry have also established numerous joint ventures and corporate partnerships with mainland Chinese [[State-owned enterprises]] to facilitate the construction of oil pipelines that potentially could create thousands of jobs throughout the country.{{citation needed|date=September 2024}} Private Chinese companies rely on the established overseas Chinese [[bamboo network]] as a conduit between mainland China and Burmese Chinese businesses to navigate the local economic landscape and facilitate trade between the two countries. Mainland China is now Burma's most important source of foreign goods and services as well as one of the most important sources of capital for [[foreign direct investment]] (FDI) in the country. In the [[fiscal year]] 2013, Chin accounted for 61 percent of all foreign direct investment.<ref>{{Cite book |title=Chinese Capitalism in Southeast Asia: Cultures and Practices |last=Santasombat |first=Yos |publisher= Palgrave Macmillan |year=2017 |isbn=978-981-10-4695-7 |pages=234–236}}</ref> Between 2007 and 2015, Chinese FDI increased from US$775 million to US$21.867 billion accounting for 40 percent of all FDI in the country. Much of this investment went into Burma's energy and mining industries.<ref>{{Cite book |title=Chinese Capitalism in Southeast Asia: Cultures and Practices |last=Santasombat |first=Yos |publisher= Palgrave Macmillan |year=2017 |isbn=978-981-10-4695-7 |page=235}}</ref> Chinese private firms account for 87% percent of total legal cross-border trade at [[Ruili]] and have a considerable amount of structural power over the illicit economy of Myanmar. Chinese structural power over Burma's structure of finance also allows China to maintain a dominant position within the country's natural resource sector, primarily Burma's latent oil, gas, and uranium sectors.<ref>{{Cite book |title=Chinese Foreign Relations with Weak Peripheral States: Asymmetrical Economic Power and Insecurity |last=Reeves |first=Jeffrey  |publisher= Routledge |year=2015 |isbn= 978-1-138-89150-0 |series=Asian Security Studies |publication-date=November 2, 2015 |pages=151–156}}</ref> China's position as the country's primary investor also allows it to be its largest consumer of its extractive industries. Many Chinese [[state-owned enterprises]] have set their sights on Burma's high-value natural resource industries such as raw jade stones, teak and timber, rice, and marine fisheries.<ref>{{Cite book |title=Chinese Capitalism in Southeast Asia: Cultures and Practices |last=Santasombat |first=Yos |publisher= Palgrave Macmillan |year=2017 |isbn=978-981-10-4695-7 |pages=234–235}}</ref>

===Foreign aid===
The level of international aid to Burma ranks amongst the lowest in the world (and the lowest in the Southeast Asian region)<ref>{{Cite news |last=Wade |first=Francis |date=2 March 2011 |title=UK to become top donor to Burma |work=Democratic Voice of Burma |url=http://www.dvb.no/news/uk-to-become-top-donor-to-burma/14523 |url-status=dead |access-date=8 August 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110927225912/http://www.dvb.no/news/uk-to-become-top-donor-to-burma/14523 |archive-date=27 September 2011}}</ref>—Burma receives $4 per capita in development assistance, as compared to the average of $42.30 per capita.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Burma |url=http://www.refintl.org/where-we-work/asia/burma |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111117053045/http://www.refintl.org/where-we-work/asia/burma |archive-date=17 November 2011 |access-date=8 August 2011 |website=Refugees International}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=30 June 2011 |title=Australia's aid to Burma—Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) |url=http://www.ausaid.gov.au/country/burma/faq-burma.cfm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111117054501/http://www.ausaid.gov.au/country/burma/faq-burma.cfm |archive-date=17 November 2011 |access-date=8 August 2011 |website=AusAid |publisher=Government of Australia}}</ref>

In April 2007, the US [[Government Accountability Office]] (GAO) identified the financial and other restrictions that the military government places on international humanitarian assistance in the Southeast Asian country. The GAO report, entitled "Assistance Programs Constrained in Burma," outlines the specific efforts of the Burmese government to hinder the humanitarian work of international organisations, including by restricting the free movement of international staff within the country.  The report notes that the regime has tightened its control over assistance work since former Prime Minister [[Khin Nyunt]] was purged in October 2004.

Furthermore, the reports states that the military government passed guidelines in February 2006, which formalised Burma's restrictive policies.  According to the report, the guidelines require that programs run by humanitarian groups "enhance and safeguard the national interest" and that international organisations co-ordinate with state agents and select their Burmese staff from government-prepared lists of individuals.  [[United Nations]] officials have declared these restrictions unacceptable.

{{blockquote|The shameful behavior of Burma's military regime in tying the hand of humanitarian organizations is laid out in these pages for all to see, and it must come to an end," said U.S. Representative [[Tom Lantos]] (D-CA).  "In eastern Burma, where the military regime has burned or otherwise destroyed over 3,000 villages, humanitarian relief has been decimated.  At least one million people have fled their homes and many are simply being left to die in the jungle."}}

US Representative [[Ileana Ros-Lehtinen]] (R-FL) said that the report "underscores the need for democratic change in Burma, whose military regime arbitrarily arrests, tortures, rapes and executes its own people, ruthlessly persecutes ethnic minorities, and bizarrely builds itself a new capital city while failing to address the increasingly urgent challenges of refugee flows, illicit narcotics and human trafficking, and the spread of HIV/AIDS and other communicable diseases."<ref>{{Cite news |date=19 April 2007 |title=Myanmar's rulers implement increasingly restrictive regulations for aid-giving agencies |work=International Herald Tribune}}</ref>

==Other statistics==

'''Electricity – production:'''
17,866.99&nbsp;GWh (2016 est.)<ref name=":1">{{Cite journal |title=Myanmar Energy Statistics 2019 |url=https://www.eria.org/uploads/media/0.ERIA-Myanmar_Energy_Statistics_2019.pdf |journal=Myanmar Ministry of Electricity and Energy |pages=20–21 |access-date=22 January 2021 |archive-date=20 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210420212518/https://www.eria.org/uploads/media/0.ERIA-Myanmar_Energy_Statistics_2019.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>

'''Electricity – consumption:'''
7,572.60 GWh Residential, 4,650.90 GWh Industrial, 3,023.27 GWh Commercial, 2,384.89 GWh Loss (2016 est.)<ref name=":1" />

'''Electricity – exports:'''
2,381.34 kWh (2016)<ref name=":1" />

'''Electricity – imports:'''
0 kWh (2006)

'''Agriculture – products:'''
rice, pulses, beans, sesame, groundnuts, watermelon, avocado sugarcane; hardwood; fish and fish products

'''Currency:'''
1 [[kyat]] (K) = 100 pyas

'''Exchange rates:'''
kyats per US dollar – 1,205 (2008 est.), 1,296 (2007), 1,280 (2006), 5.82 (2005), 5.7459 (2004), 6.0764 (2003)
note: unofficial exchange rates ranged in 2004 from 815 kyat/US dollar to nearly 970 kyat/US dollar, and by year end 2005, the unofficial exchange rate was 1,075 kyat/US dollar; data shown for 2003–05 are official exchange rates

'''Foreign Direct Investment'''
In the first eight months, Myanmar has received investment of US$5.7 billion. Singapore has remained as the top source of foreign direct investments into Myanmar in the financial year of 2019-2020 with 20 Singapore-listed enterprises bringing in US$1.85 billion into Myanmar in the financial year 2019-2020. Hong Kong stood as the second-largest investors with an estimated capital of US$1.42 billion from 46 enterprises, followed by Japan investing $760 million in Myanmar.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Singapore tops source of FDIs in Myanmar in 2020-2021FY |url=https://consult-myanmar.com/2020/10/12/singapore-tops-source-of-fdis-in-myanmar-in-2020-2021fy/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201020174332/https://consult-myanmar.com/2020/10/12/singapore-tops-source-of-fdis-in-myanmar-in-2020-2021fy/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=20 October 2020 |access-date=2021-01-22 |website=consult-myanmar.com }}</ref>

'''Foreign Trade'''
Total foreign trade reached over US$24.5 billion in the first eight months of the fiscal year (FY) 2019-2020 .<ref name="ref2013021217">{{Cite news |date=4 June 2020 |title=Myanmar's foreign trade reaches over 24 bln USD in 8 months |publisher=www.xinhuanet.com |url=http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2020-06/04/c_139114111.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200809203202/http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2020-06/04/c_139114111.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=9 August 2020}}</ref>

'''Internet Usage'''
In January 2024, there were 24.11 million internet users <ref name="myanmar digital marketing 2024">{{Cite web |url=https://nanoomarketing.com/blog/myanmar-digital-marketing-landscape-2024 |title=Myanmar Digital Marketing Landscape 2024 |date=October 1, 2024 |publisher=Nan Oo Marketing}}</ref>
in Myanmar. This means 44.0% of the total population used the internet.

==See also==
* {{portal-inline|Economics}}
* {{portal-inline|Myanmar}}

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{reflist|group=note}}

==Further reading==
* Myanmar Business Today; Print Edition, 5 November 2015.  [http://www.oilseedcrops.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Geothermal-Energy-in-Myanmar-Securing-Electricity-for-Eastern-Border-Development-David-DuByne.pdf Geothermal Energy in Myanmar, Securing Electricity for Eastern Border Development] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151120104918/http://www.oilseedcrops.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Geothermal-Energy-in-Myanmar-Securing-Electricity-for-Eastern-Border-Development-David-DuByne.pdf |date=20 November 2015 }}, by David DuByne & Hishamuddin Koh
* Myanmar Business Today; Print Edition, 19 June 2014.  [http://www.oilseedcrops.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/Myanmars-Institutional-Infrastructure-Constraints-and-how-to-fill-the-Gaps-Myanmar-Business-Today-June-19_2014.pdf Myanmar's Institutional Infrastructure Constraints and How to Fill the Gaps] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140913040346/http://www.oilseedcrops.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/Myanmars-Institutional-Infrastructure-Constraints-and-how-to-fill-the-Gaps-Myanmar-Business-Today-June-19_2014.pdf |date=13 September 2014 }}, by David DuByne & Hishamuddin Koh
* Myanmar Business Today; Print Edition, 27 February 2014.  [http://www.oilseedcrops.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/Myanmar-Business-Today-Feb-27-March-5-2014-Edition-A-Roadmap-to-Building-Myanmar-into-the-Food-Basket-of-Asia_David-DuByne-.pdf A Roadmap to Building Myanmar into the Food Basket of Asia], by David DuByne & Hishamuddin Koh
* Taipei American Chamber of Commerce; Topics Magazine, Analysis, November 2012.  [http://www.amcham.com.tw/topics-archive/topics-archive-2012/vol-42-no-10/3721-analysis Myanmar: Southeast Asia's Last Frontier for Investment] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140225131655/http://www.amcham.com.tw/topics-archive/topics-archive-2012/vol-42-no-10/3721-analysis |date=25 February 2014 }}, by David DuByne
* Taiwan ASEAN Studies Center; ASEAN Outlook Magazine, May 2013. [http://www.oilseedcrops.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/ASEAN-Outlook-Magazine-June-2013-David-DuByne-Myanmars-Overlooked-Industry-Opportunities-and-Investment-Climate-.pdf Myanmar's Overlooked Industry Opportunities and Investment Climate] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130828224807/http://www.oilseedcrops.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/ASEAN-Outlook-Magazine-June-2013-David-DuByne-Myanmars-Overlooked-Industry-Opportunities-and-Investment-Climate-.pdf |date=28 August 2013 }}, by David DuByne
* Myanmar Economic Monitor Report June 2023 (English); The World Bank, 28 June 2023. [https://documents.worldbank.org/en/publication/documents-reports/documentdetail/099062823041522943/p1791060533bdb01b0ae0a0c82f34c1c320 June 2023 Myanmar Economic Monitor : A Fragile Recovery - Special Focus on Employment, Incomes and Coping Mechanisms (English)] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231104155350/https://documents.worldbank.org/en/publication/documents-reports/documentdetail/099062823041522943/p1791060533bdb01b0ae0a0c82f34c1c320 |date=4 November 2023 }}, by Edwards, Kim Alan, Mansaray, Kemoh Myint, Thi Da Hayati, Fayavar Maw, Aka Kyaw Min

==External links==
* [http://www.oilandgasinfrastructure.com/home/oilandgasasia/myanmar Google Earth Map of oil and gas infrastructure in Myanmar] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140112112035/http://www.oilandgasinfrastructure.com/home/oilandgasasia/myanmar |date=12 January 2014 }}
* Myanmar Ministry of Commerce (MMC) [https://web.archive.org/web/20071214093720/http://www.commerce.gov.mm/ News, information, journals, magazines related to Burmese business and commerce]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20121115091239/http://www.mmuscc.org/index.html Myanmar-US Chamber of Commerce]
* Union of Myanmar Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry (UMFCCI)  [http://www.umfcci.com.mm/ ပြည်ထောင်စု မြန်မာနိုင်ငံ ကုန်သည်များနှင့် စက်မှုလက်မှုလုပ်ငန်းရှင်များအသင်း] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121123134337/http://www.umfcci.com.mm/ |date=23 November 2012 }}
* [http://wits.worldbank.org/CountryProfile/Country/MMR/Year/2010/Summary World Bank Summary Trade Statistics Myanmar] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140512231343/http://wits.worldbank.org/CountryProfile/Country/MMR/Year/2010/Summary |date=12 May 2014 }}

{{Burma (Myanmar) topics}}
{{Asia in topic|Economy of}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Economy of Myanmar}}
[[Category:Economy of Myanmar| ]]
[[Category:World Trade Organization member economies|Myanmar]]