Rob Lally Deputy Director, Asia Strategic Trade Group
270 Trade Advisers in the UK 162 Offices around the world markets 98% Global GDP Expansion in emerging markets
261,000 sq miles (largest in SE Asia (UK – 94, 000) Population: 70% rural (Vietnam 90%) Life expectancy – 60 (4.6% over 65) Good education (poor English)
Population spread over many cities 4 million, Rangoon 1 Million Mandalay 16+ cities 100,000+
Business opportunities in Burma Offshore oil and gas Education and training – major requirement at all levels, plus vocational training and English language. British education held in high regard. Telecoms – extremely low mobile phone penetration/internet capacity. Construction sector – anticipated construction boom. Manufacturing sector –labour-intensive and cost-sensitive activities such as garment manufacture and food processing. Capacity has been very badly eroded by sanctions and is in need of investment and expertise. Business services- major foreign require international standard support services – lawyers, accountants, real estate agents, recruitment consultants, facilities management companies, etc.
Recent Progress Foreign Investment Law approved with all of the President’s investor-friendly amendments intact save one, on salary equality for Burmese and foreigners doing the same job). Preparations underway for independent Central Bank – Bank of England has been offering its advice on this; Government is developing National Economic Plans. Agreement on resolving much of Burma’s international arrears and IFIs are considering lending again; EU is looking at reinstating GSP.
8 Looking ahead: CAPACITY
9 THE WAY FORWARD Partnership Patience
Rob Lally Deputy Director, Asia Strategic Trade Group Tel: ,