The “Golden Land”, officially known as the Republic of the Union of Myanmar and formerly as Burma, has undergone dramatic reforms in recent years under the administration of President U Thein Sein. The rapid transition from a military junta to an open economy has surprised the global community and will see Myanmar assume the ASEAN chair for the first time in 2014. Known as the ‘last frontier market’ Myanmar is rich in natural resources and has an established extractive industries sector, with one of the world’s oldest continuously producing oil fields. The country also enjoys significant mineral resources which remain greatly under explored by international mining firms - something the government is proactively trying to change. The easing of economic sanctions has accelerated the nation’s economic growth, but Myanmar still faces political challenges, including ongoing ethnic conflict and religious tensions. However, with greater access to international markets and a growing number of business opportunities, investors are cautiously optimistic about the country’s future.

Historic Myanmar elections in November 2015 paved the way for an NLD government led by Aung San Suu Kyi to take office in March 2016, and saw the country deepen its graduated transition away from authoritarian rule. Nevertheless, military forces that for decades dominated national politics remain privileged in a constitutional framework designed to deliver 'discipline-flourishing democracy'. In August 2017, the military intensified its campaign of ethnic cleansing of Myanmar's Rohingya Muslim minority, and more than 750,000 refugees fled to neighbouring Bangladesh. One critical question that now confronts the fifty million people of this Southeast Asian nation is whether their push for greater democracy is strong enough to prevail over the resistance of a powerful military machine and swelling undercurrents of intolerance. What are the prospects for liberal democracy in Myanmar? This book addresses this question by examining historical conditions, constitutionalism, popular support for democracy, major political actors, group relations and tolerance, and transitional justice. To probe the meaning and purchase of key concepts it presents a rich array of evidence, including eighty-eight in-depth interviews and three waves of surveys and survey experiments conducted by the authors between 2014 and 2018, all of which are triangulated with constitutional and legal texts and reports issued locally and globally. The analysis culminates in the concept of limited liberalism, which reflects an at times puzzling blend of liberal and illiberal attitudes. The book concludes that a weakening of liberal commitments among politicians and citizens alike, allied with spreading limited liberal attitudes, casts doubt on the prospects for liberal democracy in Myanmar.

This comprehensive review of Myanmar's policies regarding inward direct investment covers such issues as trends in investment in Myanmar, responsible business conduct, regulation and protection of investment, investment promotion and facilitation, taxes, the financial sector, and infrastructure.

Geological Belts, Plate Boundaries and Mineral Deposits in Myanmar arms readers with a comprehensive overview of the geography, geology, mineral potential and tectonic plate activity of Myanmar. The book focuses on the nature and history of the structural belts and terranes of Myanmar, with particular emphasis on the mineral deposits and their relationship to stratigraphy and structure. The country has a long history of plate tectonic activity, and the most recent plate movements relate to the northward movement of the India plate as it collides with Asia. Both of these are responsible for the earthquakes which frequently occur, making the country a geologically dynamic region. Additionally, Myanmar is rich in mineral and petroleum potential and the site of some of Southeast Asia's largest faults. However, many geoscientists are only recently becoming familiar with Myanmar due to previous political issues. Some of these barriers have been removed and there is emerging international interest in the geology and mineral deposits of Myanmar. This book collates this essential information in one complete resource. Geological Belts, Plate Boundaries and Mineral Deposits in Myanmar is an essential reference for economic geologists, mineralogists, petroleum geologists, and seismologists, as well as geoscience instructors and students taking related coursework. - Provides an accessible history of the geological research and mineral exploration and extraction conducted in Myanmar and an overview of its rich mineral resources - Presents the historical and current plate tectonic activity in the region, offering seismologists and geophysicists a guide to Myanmar's structural geology and risk for earthquake activity - Richly illustrated with more than 100 maps, diagrams and photographs to capture the geology of Myanmar and aid in the retention of key concepts - Focuses on the nature and history of the structural belts and terranes of Myanmar

After an initial assessment of constraints to development in Myanmar found in Volume I, this Volume II assesses key issues and makes policy recommendations.

Myanmar is in need of a structural transformation from an agrarian economy to one based more on a mix of modern activities, including manufacturing and services. Modernising the agricultural sector by building linkages to complementary non-agricultural activities – an “agricultural value chain” ...

The Rohingyas, a Muslim minority group living in the Rakhine State in western Myanmar (Burma) have been denied citizenship, which has made them insecure in their homelands. Many have fled persecution and limitations on basic rights, their plight being highlighted in international media. This book presents new information about the nexus between citizenship and insecurity, and concludes that full citizenship would accord with the UN and other international conventions. Granting of citizenship rights as prescribed by the 2008 Union of Myanmar Constitution is seen as essential to the alleviation of insecurity and suffering of the Rohingyas. As elsewhere, the benefits of citizenship come the obligations to abide by the law of the land. This book is therefore a contribution to Myanmar’s modernization program of integrating all of its peoples.