Myanmar Gets Record Investment After Years of Isolation: Energy -- Myanmar, shunned since the 1990s for tolerating corruption and human trafficking, is set for record foreign investment in 2012 led by [56]oil companies after the southeast Asian nation took its first steps -- democratic moves, and the International Monetary Fund forecast direct foreign investment into the country formerly known as [59]Burma will rise 40 percent to a record $3.99 billion this year. Natural gas is -- President [60]Barack Obama in July authorized U.S. businesses to invest in Myanmar after President Thein Sein started a democratic process that -- The deals carry extra risk for investors in a nation sandwiched between China and India that’s seeking to emerge from 50 years of economic and -- “Companies will be careful before investing because many policies are still very uncertain, and once in place there’s no certainty they won’t -- Control Risks, a global business risk consultancy which also advises companies investing in Myanmar, said in an interview in New Delhi Sept. 13. “A stable and secure investment environment is a long-term project.” -- “Pressing the button on transparency will help attract major western companies to invest in Myanmar to a certain degree. It shows the willingness of Myanmar’s authorities to fight widespread corruption and provide much-needed regulatory clarity for foreign investors,” said Siddik Bakir, a London- based energy analyst for the [65]Middle East -- Hundreds of foreign investors met in Myanmar’s capital last week as they scout opportunities in the country even as Coca- Cola Co. and -- “Foreign investment is crucial for Myanmar’s economic growth,” Ba Hla Aya, Charge d’Affaires of the Myanmar embassy in New Delhi, said at a -- she was elected to parliament in April, said during a visit to Europe in June that “transparency is the key” to attracting investments in the oil and gas sector. She cautioned companies from entering into joint -- and China National Petroleum Corp. are among companies with oil and gas investments in Myanmar. -- President Thein Sein’s attempt to open the economy to foreign investments is not the first time Myanmar’s leadership has taken steps toward restoring a democracy only to backtrack. The junta released Suu -- hydropower dam across the Irrawaddy being built with China Power Investment Corp., saying the project was against the will of the people. -- [82]jrogers73@bloomberg.net [83]Enlarge image Myanmar Gets Record Investment After Years of Isolation -- Myanmar Gets Record Investment After Years of Isolation Myanmar Gets Record Investment After Years of Isolation -- * Saving & Investing * Real Estate