[70]South Korea to Malaysia. Natural resources, such as timber and minerals, could woo billions in foreign investment. And its strategic position nestled between China and India could turn Burma into a prime -- hopes among Asiaâs business community that Burma could finally become the attractive place to invest it has always promised to be. The long-suffering pro-democracy opposition was permitted to contest -- revival. Now that Burma has come in from the cold, it can start in earnest to woo the foreign investment it so badly needs. There is a window of opportunity here. China has been the 400-kg gorilla of Asia for years, sucking up vast sums of investment, especially in the low-end manufacturing that could create much needed jobs in Burma. But -- sound regulatory environment and trained workforce to attract foreign investment in large sums. Burma âhas very strong potential, but before realizing that potential, it has to tackle challenges to its -- allowing for a single, market-determined exchange rate, which will help stabilize the climate for investment. But thatâs just a start. The government has to marshal funds for investment in new roads and other infrastructure so manufacturers could get their products to markets -- around the world. More money is needed to beef up the nationâs schools to upgrade the quality of the workforce. Burma âhas to invest in its future,â says Park. Achieving that will entail reform of the government -- universe for decades, the country simply lacks the clear rules and regulations foreign companies require to safely and confidently invest. My colleague [77]Emily Rauhala found that out in April, when she [78]attended a seminar for investors held in Hong Kong by the Burmese government. The room was packed with businesspeople, who peppered the -- time being due to the Chinese factor. Once come to the returns of their investment consideration,you are long way off their target so your poverty will continue.You name will be drawn to attention again many economic sanctions have been lifted and there's been a surge in international investment. -- treatment of minority groups are often glazed over in the rush to invest in the "new" Burma. This week, the government [7]barred a global Islamic body from opening an office to help members of Burma's Muslim -- simply given the new government a cover to boost business – and foreign investors a chance to profit? -- The Burmese regime, aiming to end its global isolation and seeking foreign investment to breathe life into its stagnant economy, has gone to great lengths to prove it is changing. -- China had been Burma's largest foreign investor to date, but the new government is eager to promote growth (and [18]less reliance on China) by courting other foreign investment. -- of major US companies – Chevron, General Electric (GE), Goldman Sachs and Google, to name a few – to begin exploring investment opportunities. Days later, GE became the first US company to sign a -- However, the military still controls Burma’s largest companies. So will anyone other than the elite benefit from investment? -- were much more common – sparking fear that without proper safeguards, an investment gold rush may actually cause minority communities [28]to suffer even more in the future. -- won't be achieved until Burma as a whole – including its ethnic minorities – sees the benefits of foreign investment in their daily lives. -- act: to urge leaders and companies to act responsibly; and to insist that the easing of sanctions and more investment in Burma must be contingent upon its fair treatment of all its citizens. Until this The unleashing of Burma’s economy could boost regional growth and intra-ASEAN trade and investment. As it is, Burma’s GDP growth rate is projected to average around 6 per cent per year until 2020, with -- rapid growth would be rising inflationary pressures, as rapid growth and investment creates supply bottlenecks and wage pressures. Inflation is already estimated to have averaged around 9 -- competitiveness. Burma’s draft investment bill could accelerate investment, with provisions for a five-year tax holiday for foreign investors, 100 percent profit repatriation allowances, and government guarantees -- business-related foreign visits have increased sharply due to heightened investor interest. Burma remains heavily dependent on imported manufactures from -- China, yet economic reforms, rapid growth in domestic demand and increased foreign investment could result in the rapid growth of the low-value added manufacturing sector, helped by relatively low 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 Clinton said that in addition to appointing an ambassador and lifting sanctions on Myanmar, the U.S. had let companies invest in the country and was ensuring that happened in a way “that advances rather than -- * Saving & Investing * Real Estate the 1980s as a student and returned in the 1990s as a journalist. In 2002, he came back again -- this time for good and as an investor. -- once called “quite unlike any place you know about” attracted almost 900 participants. It was the largest influx of foreign investors Myanmar’s 55 million people have ever seen. More than 100 years later, -- the next election in 2015? Confusion reigns over a recently passed investment law. How much access will foreigners really have to Myanmar’s natural resources? Too little? Too much? -- Since Myanmar won’t have the luxury of ignoring these risks, its development may go smoother than, say, [70]Vietnam’s, which investors often compare with Myanmar. Vietnam is seen as a prisoner to pendulum economics: Investor sentiment swings from heady optimism to dark pessimism. -- Myanmar can avoid these boom-bust cycles by getting the basics right today. That means telling investors clamoring to cash in on one of [71]Asia’s last frontier markets to take a deep breath and be patient. Myanmar must craft investment laws that benefit the broader population. -- * Saving & Investing * Real Estate first overseas trip after 23 years under house arrest. Suu Kyi warned investors about “reckless optimism” and the pitfalls her country holds for markets. Such comments upset Myanmar’s leaders and unnerved another -- Geneva and ambitious generals at home. It also includes the likes of Alisher Ali and Kenneth Stevens, who personify the breed of investor arriving in Yangon. -- Hailing from the former Soviet Union, Ali, the chairman of Silk Road Finance, has a passion for investing in frontier markets, such as Mongolia. Ali has since set his sights on Myanmar. Earlier this year, -- This last part of Stevens’s comment is important. If foreign investors even begin to sense Myanmar’s restructuring is petering out or proving -- hollow, they will flee and take the jobs their money creates elsewhere. Thein Sein must craft the best investment law he can to ensure stability and prosperity at home and win the esteem of people like -- * Saving & Investing * Real Estate #[1]RSS 2.0 [2]RSS .92 [3]Atom 0.3 [4]Democratic Voice of Burma » New investments and unresolved conflicts Comments Feed [5]Democratic Voice of Burma [6]Junta’s abuse: a key obstacle to reconciliation [7]KNU -- New investments and unresolved conflicts -- IFRAME: lysis/new-investments-and-unresolved-conflicts/24328&layout=button_coun t&show_faces=true&width=100&action=like&colorscheme=light&height=21 -- Many countries have reacted to the recent changes in Burma by lifting longstanding sanctions, ushering in a new era of investment in the country. In the US, for example, the Obama Administration is in the -- tools to press Burma’s government for further reforms. The administration has lifted the investment ban, is in the process of ending the import ban, and has announced the end of a restriction on -- (USDP) will be able to line their pockets with the incoming foreign investment. -- which have long suffered abuse and discrimination under Burma’s military. Many hotspots of foreign investment likely will be in the oil, gas, and mining industries, and some ethnic minority areas are rich in such natural resources. While foreign investment can indeed lead to better jobs for those living near investment projects, Burma’s ethnic minority communities have told a different story. A recent -- rights violations in Karen state found a correlation between foreign investment projects and human rights abuse. “For too many communities, foreign investment means abuse.” -- For too many communities, foreign investment means abuse. Given the blanket impunity with which the Burmese military has abused members of -- ethnic minority groups, representatives of ethnic communities are understandably wary of any new investment without proper safeguards to ensure that economic development projects will not negatively affect -- Other countries also have work to do. The US should ensure that its regulations on companies investing in Burma are strict and enforceable. Any US company found to be complicit in human rights violations should -- Tags: [35]Barack Obama, [36]ceasefires, [37]conflicts, [38]ethnic minorities, [39]investment, [40]sanctions, [41]united states Author: [42]ANDREA GITTLEMAN Category: [43]Analysis -- exiles who have poured millions of dollars into undermining the government. The problem is that they have lost their investment. They are left out of the new Myanmar and the power & wealth that -- * [57]What Obama didn’t say * [58]Investment, discretion and Burma’s future economic development Intriguingly, Miss Suu Kyi asked for more investment in technology and infrastructure, but said that investors “should pay close attention to the costs and collateral damage of our development, whether -- environmental or social.” Furthermore, she urged “those who have invested or who are thinking of investing in Burma to put a premium on respect for law, on environmental and social factors, on the rights of -- aimed at the foreign governments. Rather, I think she was speaking to Chinese, Thai and other Asian investors who are coming in and, by all accounts, doing great damage to many of Myanmar's minority communities -- don't expect Miss Suu Kyi's appeals to change things very much, but I hope it focuses fresh attention on the misdeeds of those investors who are already operating in Myanmar. -- 1. The corporations in the West are not even investing in their own countries (just look at the US unemployment rate) for short-term -- "financial" (i.e. profit-making) reasons. So why would they be interested in investing in Burma, except to exploit natural resources (perhaps not just gas and oil), which unfortunately always has some -- 2. China (including Chinese businessmen from Thailand and Singapore) do "invest" heavily in Burma. This fits in well with the strategic Chinese goal of of "sinicization of the periphery" (string of pearls). This -- There is in any case little Western interest in "investing" in Myanmar. Oil and gas, yes, but there is tremendous competition from the region. Otherwise, some niche investments and financial services. But that's about it. The West is no longer into manufacturing, which has already had been falling ever more closely into China's orbit. China is Myanmar's biggest foreign investor, followed by Thailand. A Chinese foreign-ministry spokesman has condemned the suspension of the dam and -- Myitsone is one of the most important of China's many projects in Myanmar. The main investor is the state-owned China Power Investment Corporation, whose construction arm had already started work. [108]On a -- * [122]Japan goes to the polls: The voters hold their noses... * [123]Foreign investment in Canada: Thus far but no further -- Why and what are so wrong for Chinese investment in Myanmar? -- Inform yourself better of Burma before writing your judgement. It is more than just investment. -- what's more than investment? since when the thug nation is sooo important to China? the Chinese civilization has been there for 5000 -- lol), sometimes no action is far more important than action: stop all the investment please dear president, or even better stop that by Chinese ourselves, that shows them how important they really are to -- Right on, "it is more than just investment", it is a Chinese invasion. Once Burma gets rid of all these illegal alien Chinese "bandit -- Right on, "it is more than just investment", it is a Chinese invasion. Once Burma gets rid of all these illegal alien Chinese "bandit -- Inform yourself better of Burma before writing your judgement. It is more than just investment. * [234]Recommend -- the president should ban all the Chinese investment in his country, I see all the investment there are totally waste of money, we Chinese should consider our investment to be profit and use them on much better place, Myanmar is not a nice nation, it's a place that's run by Investing in Myanmar -- the president’s many strengths. (In May Daw Aung San Suu Kyi made headlines by [107]warning foreign investors against placing “reckless optimism” in Myanmar at the World Economic Forum. The government was -- from a podium, looking out over a sea of businessmen eagerly awaiting the opportunities they describe. The standing Foreign Investment Law (1988) ensured that foreign investors can acquire no more than 35% of a company’s total equity, and only via local joint ventures, but reforms -- revisions planned should do away with the requirement that foreign investors establish local partnerships. Daw Mae Thi Lynn, from the office of Myanmar’s attorney-general, adds that the reformed law would grant investors the right to lease land from private owners for longer periods. This should be useful to the many businessmen who have been -- Development Public Company Limited, leading the way. (Once upon a time, about a year ago, the estimated need for [110]investment was to be[111] just $8.6 billion.) -- Surely you can find good organisations that organise your investment in organisations -- lol everyone knows that the Burmese are way too racist and violent to attract foreign investment. I mean, being racist against dark skinned people is bad, but performing a violent ethnic cleansing is sure to scare off most investors. -- Anyways, most of the "optimism" described in this article, as well as the investment conference in Singapore (at least one of them), came before the Rohingya ethnic cleansing began. -- numbers, bad GDP numbers, etc., the Stock Market goes up because the investor players say, “Good, now FED Bernanke will need to give us QE 3.” -- activities focus on Accra, Ghana and Lagos, Nigeria. These are incomparable regions for investment and real estate development. -- The World economy has changed, making these two cities ripe for real estate development and investment. -- Dear Myanmar, First protect your people of the GREEDY INVESTORS who pretend to be your friends but in fact are not. They just come to reap the harvest. You need investors but choose the right ones. Don't get uncontrolled greedy yourself. -- business people from inside and outside of Myanmar.. This also includes Red Light Investment ! Do not copy Thailand. Analyse the impact of Industrialisation in your neighbour country state is rich with jade, gold, tropical hardwood and hydropower potential—in which China has already invested billions, feeding a construction boom in Yunnan province. -- Well let's see, the West doesn't want to invest in Burma because you are a bunch of barbarians who love to kill each other and occasionally -- could very well prevent the real, important, sanctions to be lifted, and even if it were lifted few Westerners would want to invest in far-away and violent Burma that doesn't have oil. -- The Chinese (and other Asians like the Thai and Koreans) are corrupt enough to invest in ultra-corrupt and ultra-barbaric Burma, but you don't want them there. -- So what's the solution? Keep killing the Rohingyas and "seize and repatriate" all Chinese investments to give back to the Burmese! If it worked for Robert Mugabe against the white people in Zimbabwe, it'll -- By the way, you'll notice that the West does not have sanctions on many "resource rich" African countries, and yet invests very little there. Why? Because of geography. The cost of transportation of minerals just -- start a Microsoft or Apple there.) That leaves Burma with two potential buyers/investors, which are India and China. Throw in a Thailand and you may get to three, but oh wait the Burmese also hate the Thais (and -- destitution. The Koreans, Thai-Chinese businessmen, Singaporeans, Chinese have all invested heavily in Myanmar, but unfortunately its not enough. -- popular opinion by seizing and "repatriating" all yellow people investments in Burma. -- terms, and Burma should be looking to the outside world for trade and commerce, for investments, not looking inwards although self reliance/self sufficiency must be the principal goal. And it doesn't -- standard of openness is much higher than it was 40 years ago. Reform members of the Junta, know that to attract foreign investment you have to match the likes of Thailand/Philippines in terms of Foreign investment law in a short amount of time. Myanmar is not China, it can't dictate terms, I am sorry its just not big enough. It will be a -- the West imposed sanctions, in 1996 the West made up 60% of the foreign investment in Myanmar. So it was not just Japan, Asia, etc. it will take a long time before they are completely lifted. With the US its has -- during the 1970-80s. Started in the mid 1980s he started to liberalize the economy and promote foreign investment. In the early 1980s there were already Western hotel chains, and soon followed by Western fast -- undercurrent of nationalism stands out in the generals’ approach to foreign investment compared with the Chinese one. The Burmese conundrum is a more complex one with more compounding factors than Indonesia. -- greedy hence necessarily myopic stance over its neighbour. It has so far been investing in a lasting animosity on the part of the entire Burmese nation. Upper Burma is simmering with resentment against the Other countries have been moving too. On January 14th Norway announced that it would end its policy of discouraging investment in Myanmar. Australia is lifting financial and travel restrictions on certain -- sold in the streets of the capital, Yangon. The president knows that the Western investment and recognition that he badly wants hang almost entirely on her say-so. Indeed, the next big test of the regime's will -- Investigating the investigator Spain’s most famous judge goes on trial -- Ignorance is bliss Forensic scientists know too much about the cases they investigate * industry shed 80,000 jobs over the past decade. Now, relatively low wages and other costs might lure investors back—as might Myanmar's location. Government officials make much of how the country is an ideal -- Myanmar in the past 15 years. The Chinese have poured about $27 billion into the country, much more than any other investor. They now dominate the oil, gas and minerals industries; indeed, many believe one of the -- Tentative steps Investor interest in the Middle East and north Africa remains cautious government. In Thailand she warned against “reckless optimism” about the changes in Myanmar, and advised investors to maintain a “healthy scepticism”. -- the government. They are frantically trying to attract as many foreign investors to the country as quickly as possible, to compensate sceptical (and perhaps troublesome) hardliners with quick riches in -- Wanted: small sums of money to finance young companies. Click here to invest * Burma is open for business, and foreign investors are champing at the bit. Time for a reality check. -- industries made up over 80 percent of exports last year. They also dominate foreign investment: oil, gas and mining alone comprised almost[102] 90 percent of FDI over the last half decade. Burma's -- interest in telecoms and banking, it's the extractive industries that are Burma's main draw for potential investors. [comment_bubble.gif] COMMENTS (0) SHARE: -- export-oriented manufacturing to develop. Their foreign direct investment (FDI) was mostly in manufacturing, not resources. They also developed in a much different international environment, one with far -- exports tend to grow more slowly than countries like the Asian tigers due to unequal investment in other parts of the economy, a concept known as [106]Dutch Disease. Burma already suffers from this illness, -- "Burma needs foreign investment and it needs it now." It's complicated. The foreign investment that Burma will receive most of is the kind it needs the least: resource investment. This type of investment tends to create little direct employment. Its major benefit is the income it generates for the government. But the government of -- Burma, like so many others, isn't good at turning resource revenues into productive investments. -- Despite this, the prevailing attitude in the capital seems to be that "foreign investment equals development." That's [107]just not true. Different types of foreign investment have drastically different effects on the economy. Investment that transfers technology and brings know-how can be beneficial, but resource investment can be dangerous because it creates revenue by selling non-renewable assets. Why sell -- these assets so quickly if the government does not yet have the capacity to invest all the proceeds in productive ways? Burma's recent steps toward acceptance of the [108]Extractive Industries Transparency -- balanced economy. Burma would actually be better off without a massive rush of primary sector investment. -- contributed to the rise, one of the major culprits is the lack of alternative investments. Banks aren't trusted and moving money overseas is difficult. So people store their wealth in fixed assets like -- accessing decision makers still depends intensely on personal connections. For example, foreigners investing in mining must now partner with one of 38 companies on a government approved list. The -- The debate over a new foreign investment law, which was passed earlier this month by parliament but appears [113]unlikely to be approved by -- President Thein Sein, shows the contending forces at work. As part of the government's bid to attract foreign investment quickly and in large amounts, preliminary drafts of the law contained numerous concessions. -- As debate progressed, local businesses pushed back. They demanded numerous restrictions, including a $5 million minimum for investors, restrictions on "low technology industries," and a limit of 49 percent -- version of the law represented a hard-fought compromise that met with little approval from foreign investors. -- benefit for broad-based development, such as the new laws on foreign direct investment or Special Economic Zones (SEZ), are crowding out debate on more important issues. -- strategy to increase worker productivity, build a viable manufacturing sector, and direct resource revenues into productive investments (especially infrastructure). This should not entail offering foreign investors myriad tax breaks, which will only starve the government of revenue. Broad-based development will come only by understanding and -- * [152]THE E-RING [153]Allen cleared in Petraeus affair emails investigation BY KEVIN BARON Burma: first steps for investment of western capital For the social impacts of international investment in Burma to be positive, companies need to align their interventions with -- be self-evident. If early conclusions about whether the social impacts of international investment are to be positive, then the work of business, civil society, governments and trade unions needs to start -- Burma's president Thein Sein and opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi have both called for investment into Burma. They recognise that business needs to be sustainable in both social and environmental -- terms. These are encouraging commitments. Now they need to be translated into tangible actions. For this investment to be responsible, it must deliver value both for investors and the people of Burma, operate with respect for the rule of law and be accountable for -- A key measure of social sustainability in Burma will be the alignment of investment with international standards, such as those of the United Nations, International Labour Organisation as well as multi-stakeholder -- Business and Human Rights, endorsed unanimously by the UN Human Rights Council in June 2011, are crucial to getting investment in Burma right. Both the [94]European Union and the [95]United States have made direct -- Principles as part of its new reporting requirements for US businesses investing in Burma. Moreover, the UN framework is a key part of the updated [96]OECD Guidelines on Multinational Enterprises and other -- For many international companies considering investments in Burma, a huge challenge is how they will select their local business partners. -- the government or the military. Many benefited from such ties. This places enormous importance not just on the due diligence investors need to undertake before selecting business partners, but also the -- competitive requirements, are gravely mistaken and will be increasing the risk associated with their investments and operations. This is equally true in the context of other key challenges ahead for the -- access to adequate remedies when rights abuses do occur. These points are critical in shaping a culture of sustainable investment in the country. I caught up with Alex over the holidays because I remembered his infectious enthusiasm for the country. He is an accomplished investor of frontier markets, those half-forgotten realms on the fringe of the investing world. Alex has been investing in Burma for 15 years as a partner at SPA Capital Partners, working with Serge Pun & Associates. -- The latter is an investment holding company that has been in Burma since '91. (And yes, Alex is the great-great- grandson of Ferdinand de -- middle of a swing through Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam. When I asked investors in these places what the next big story to emerge from Southeast Asia would be, the answer was always the same: Burma. -- In short, it has everything the world craves - in size. The Wall Street Journal reported: "Myanmar's potential is too great for some investors to ignore. One of the last, large frontier markets in Asia, it is rich -- "There will be opportunities to invest," Alex told me. Indeed, he's already seeing investors line up. In the next several months, new funds will launch. The Tokyo Stock Exchange announced it would help Myanmar -- Overwhelmingly, the foreign investment has focused on [3]oil and gas, mining and power. And [4]Burma's biggest investor has been China. (One Chinese businessman quoted in Thant's book says, "I hope the sanctions -- And it's all just beginning. We'll keep an eye on Burma as opportunities open up. It's an exciting time to be an investor as the world turns right side up. Suu Kyi Pleas For Foreign Investment Into Myanmar, But Warns Against Excessive Optimism Over Reforms -- However, she urged foreign investors to invest in Myanmar in order to provide jobs for the young and alleviate high rates of poverty. But -- "Investors in Burma, please be warned - even the best investment law would be of no use whatsoever if there is no court clean enough and -- we need. There is a great need for basic skills. We need vocational training much more than higher education. We want [foreign investments] to mean jobs. Please think deeply for us. We don't want investment to mean further corruption. and greater inequality." The United States on Wednesday eased sanctions to allow its companies to invest in and provide financial services to Myanmar but will require them to make detailed disclosures about their dealings, the White House -- President Barack Obama directed the U.S. Treasury Department to issue two general licenses, one giving general permission for investment in Myanmar and the other allowing financial services. -- United States "deeply concerned about the lack of transparency in Burma's investment environment and the military's role in the economy." -- The rules require U.S. individuals and entities making new investments of more than $500,000 to submit annual reports to the State Department -- including state-owned enterprises must also be reported, while those investing in the Myanma Oil and Gas Enterprise must notify the State Department within 60 days. -- and encourage civil society to partner with our companies toward responsible investment," the departments of State and Treasury said in a fact sheet explaining the policies. -- White House spokesman Tommy Vietor told reporters the new investment "does not authorize investment with Burmese Ministry of Defence, state or non-state armed groups, or entities owned by the foregoing." -- The moves fulfil a May 17 announcement made by U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to ease U.S. sanctions on investment and financial services in recognition of Myanmar's startling political reforms over -- Clarification of the rules for investment could prompt a rush of U.S. companies into the country. -- The British government's trade promotion body, UK Trade & Investment, opened an office in Myanmar's commercial capital, Yangon, on Wednesday. -- 4. [53]IBTimes UK [54]Police to investigate alleged 1980s paedophile ring 5. [55]IBTimes UK neighbouring Thailand. Its executives hope to find a strategic partner by year-end and plan to present the project to potential investors in South Korea this month. -- Companies that Italian-Thai has identified as possible investors include Malaysia's Petroliam Nasional Bhd, Japan's Mitsubishi Corp, -- "This project is huge and is getting a lot of interest from foreign investors," said Somchet, who personally met Edano and sees Dawei as a possible location for Japanese firms to build parts for use at car -- Financial Research Institute, told Reuters Dawei would need heavy government involvement or state enterprises to co-invest. interest in Myanmar for its natural resources -- oil, gas, timber and gemstones -- and are also looking to invest in tourism, financial services, hotels, telecommunications networks and infrastructure. In an effort to attract investment after decades as a pariah state, the repressive Burmese junta may lift some of its more ludicrous laws, such The Atlanta-based company is planning to make "significant investments" in the next three to five years and is waiting for the necessary -- approvals from the US government that allows companies to start investments in the Southeast Asian nation. Asia, with 26 percent of the population living below the poverty line, according to UN statistics. Lifting investment sanctions and import bans will create desperately needed jobs in Burma and diversify the -- [149]India And ASEAN Economies To Become The Next China For (Manufacturing) Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) [150]Global Manufacturers Are Desperately Seeking The Next China -- [160]Japan Says It's About To Start Building World’s Largest Wind Farm [161]German Investor Confidence Unexpectedly Soars To 2.5-Year High [162]China’s Wen Calls For Financial Reform Push -- [165]Apple Loses 'Most Valuable Company' Crown To Exxon Mobil [166]Billionaire Investors Carl Icahn, Bill Ackman Slam Each Other On CNBC's 'Halftime' [VIDEO] [167]Carl Icahn, Bill Ackman Clash On Live TV -- [193]Microsoft 2Q Earnings Down But Beat Estimates By A Penny [194]Apple Investors Concerned Steve Jobs' Idea Factory Is Losing Steam [195]Amazon Acquires Ivona To Battle Apple in Voice Recognition country’s media, will be followed by a series of economic reforms, the Burmese government says, with new foreign investment regulations likely to be passed into law in coming weeks. -- Cyn-Young Park, an ADB economist, referring to the need for greater investment in education, health and infrastructure. -- political opening does not result in public disenchantment—means helping millions to find jobs. With a new foreign investment law set to be enacted during the current Parliament sitting, there are high hopes -- However, about three-quarters of the foreign investment into Burma to date has been in oil and gas, says the ADB, which are sectors that do -- to Expand * [31]Burma Still an ‘Extreme Risk’ for Investors Despite Reforms Burma Still an ‘Extreme Risk’ for Investors Despite Reforms “In addition, they also demonstrate poor capability to recover from a significant event exposing investments in those countries to risk of supply chain and market disruptions,” said Maplecroft. “This could lead -- Just as Burma seeks to emerge from dilapidated isolation and encourage investment in new infrastructure for electricity generation and transport to catch up with other Southeast Asian countries, the ADB -- could avoid these problems by directing measured and sustainable development. The bank’s report urges governments to invest in less polluting technology and infrastructure and to focus on -- change-resilient cities—including building homes in safe areas, make housing affordable for the poor and investing in drainage infrastructure and weather forecast technology. -- The speed of urbanization in Asia—a problem which seems certain to confront Burma as investment flows into Rangoon and Mandalay—shows no sign of slowing. Within the next 20 years another 110 million people -- * [78]Burma Business Roundup (Saturday, Jan. 19) * [79]Burma Still an ‘Extreme Risk’ for Investors Despite Reforms * [80]Four Int’l Business Conferences Planned in Rangoon » Comments Feed [4]The Irrawaddy Magazine » Burmese Govt Warns Public about Dodgy Investments Comments Feed [5]Fresh Military Faces for New Parliament Session [6]US Increases Pivot towards Burma -- Burmese Govt Warns Public about Dodgy Investments -- Certain domestic companies with foreign ties have been advertising themselves to the public as investment banks, however they do not have licenses to operate and therefore their activities are illegal, -- the companies he was referring to, but said that they had been guilty of advertising via the media and the Internet to act as investment banks and had falsely claimed that they had government permission to -- in the media and stating that they have already obtained permits to conduct investment banking [in Burma],” he said. “There have also been reports that those companies have been sending out emails inviting the public to invest through them. -- continued. “They promise substantial interest and dividends to those who invest with them. Many people do. Then, the firms take all the money and run away.” -- Thet Htun Oo, the senior manager at Myanmar Securities Exchange Centre, suggested that people should invest money or buy shares only after they have made proper inquiries, and be especially vigilant as to the -- to Expand * [31]Burma Still an ‘Extreme Risk’ for Investors Despite Reforms Burma Still an ‘Extreme Risk’ for Investors Despite Reforms -- 2 Responses to Burmese Govt Warns Public about Dodgy Investments -- * [70]Burma Business Roundup (Saturday, Jan. 19) * [71]Burma Still an ‘Extreme Risk’ for Investors Despite Reforms * [72]Four Int’l Business Conferences Planned in Rangoon since 2011. For that, the Obama administration has already relaxed some sanctions, allowing American companies to invest in many parts of the Myanmar economy. On Wednesday, it removed him and another official from -- American and international businesses will have important roles to play, too. When they invest in Myanmar, they could adopt stringent rules against the use of forced labor and other human rights abuses, as US opens up investment in Burma The United States on Wednesday gave the green light to companies to invest in Burma including in oil and gas, in its broadest and most controversial easing -- The United States on Wednesday gave the green light to companies to invest in Burma including in oil and gas, in its broadest and most controversial easing yet of sanctions on the former pariah. -- US companies have been pressing the Obama administration to end restrictions on investment, fearing they will lose out to European and Asian competitors that already enjoy access to the potentially -- All US companies that invest more than $500,000 in Burma will be required to file reports to the State Department each year that show -- and that the United States should have insisted on reforms in governance and human rights before opening up investment. -- Obama voiced concern about the role of the military and said that the United States would continue to ban investment in companies owned by the defence ministry or armed groups. -- Burma's parliament is considering a new investment law and a series of other measures aimed at liberalising the economy, which was left in + [130]National Security + [131]Investigations + [132]On Faith -- We suppose the more parents of this incomplete but encouraging reform process, the better, if those parents feel invested in helping to keep reform on track. give rise to multiple exchange rates. This system increases transactions costs, discourages foreign direct investment and trade, encourages informal activity, and has put appreciation pressure on -- sector, fostering private sector growth by removing barriers to trade and investment, improving business climate and boosting agricultural productivity. -- the manufacturing sector has been stifled by poor infrastructure and know-how, low investment, and extensive administrative controls limiting private sector development. + [31]Asian Development Fund + [32]Investor Information + -- including measures for low (under 6%) inflation and sustainable budgets, encouraging domestic savings, and investing in human capital and infrastructure. However, the report warns that the country may also -- To strengthen social cohesion and cut poverty rates, greater investments are needed in education, health and social services. Although more than half of Myanmar’s people rely on agriculture for a -- living, less than 20% of the country’s crop land is irrigated. The report notes that investment in irrigation and other inputs could dramatically expand crop yields and boost incomes. -- other South and Southeast Asian nations leaves it poised to benefit from rising regional trade, tourism and investment, and growing demand for energy and natural resources from its wealthier neighbors. -- Analysis on Myanmar's Growth Potential [177]Podcast: Investment in Education and Human Development, Economic Reform and Foreign Direct Investment Key to Myanmar's Future Growth Copyright © 2013 Asian Development Bank. | [178]Terms of Use | -- * Resources for * [181]Bond Investors * [182]Businesses and Consultants -- * [185]Journalists * [186]Private Sector Project Investors been possible due to the international sanctions policy. New groups of investors are waiting to enter the country as soon as possible. -- Indian Ocean--while businesses in the United States and Europe were missing out on very lucrative deals and investment opportunities. -- open a country for the economic interests of individual and multinational investors. -- All of these areas have been seriously neglected for decades--displaced by investment in the military, oppressive wars against ethnic minorities, the police state apparatus, and most recently industrial -- sectors and areas for domestic and international entrepreneurship and investment while demanding that they ensure employment, decent work, learning, and innovation transfers. + [31]Asian Development Fund + [32]Investor Information + -- “Myanmar is making a lot of the right moves to revitalize its economy, laying a foundation for further foreign investment and commodity exports with currency changes, land reforms and tax incentives,” said -- ensure growth is sustainable and benefits all of the country’s people, the government will have to accelerate reforms and enhance investment in education, health and infrastructure.” -- easing of economic sanctions could lead to even higher levels of trade and investment. [165]About ADB -- * Resources for * [181]Bond Investors * [182]Businesses and Consultants -- * [185]Journalists * [186]Private Sector Project Investors In Rangoon's hotel lobbies anticipation is high. Brash Australian miners rub shoulders with hard-nosed American private equity investors. Indonesian infrastructure specialists and Japanese salesmen scout out -- "Foreign investors will bring markets with them and technology." -- International business entrepreneur Serge Pun owns property developments across Asia as well as his Burmese investments from banking to golf courses. He is also convinced Burma's future is bright. Search ____________________ * | [7]Investors * | [8]The Coca-Cola Company -- * [20]Investors * [21]Investors Main * [22]2011 Year in Review -- * [24]Stock Information * [25]Investor Webcasts & Events * [26]Shareowner Information -- * [157]Our Company * [158]Investors * [159]Media Center -- [199]Investors natural resources and a competitive labor market, the reformers must seek bilateral trade and promote foreign investments in Burma to create growth. government is now telling businesses—especially SOEs—operating overseas to be more respectful of local customs and people, and to invest more in what Westerners would call corporate social responsibility. Thus, -- Investors, beware As long as politicians in the world’s big three economies continue -- Investment banking -- Too small for their boots British investment banks have lost their swagger. That is bad news for the country 6.3% in 2013 on the back of commodity exports and a pick-up in foreign investment – about as much as other fast-growing regional economies such as Indonesia. It also suggests that Myanmar could grow at 7%-8% -- tough Western sanctions that prevented Western firms from buying Myanmar products or investing there, though economists believe policy mistakes and over-reliance on inefficient state enterprises also played -- recent excitement over reforms there. As Western [91]governments lift sanctions and more investors charge in, the country could run into an assortment of challenges that commonly bedevil frontier economies, Myanmar has passed a new foreign direct investment law. Now a cease-fire in the country's war-torn Karen state has some entrepreneurs hoping to attract foreign investment. -- Antimony is just one of an array of natural resources prompting a surge in investor interest in Myanmar, which is better known for its gas, gemstones, timber, and oil. Given that antimony is also used sometimes -- “We need outside investment, outside technology,” says Shar Phaung, who has yet to sign a contract with the government to mine the antimony. -- A new foreign investment law was passed by Myanmar's parliament on Friday after several months debate, during which Western countries -- relaxed or suspended economic sanctions on Myanmar. The law scratched several potential investment-deterring provisions from the original draft, such as a $5 million minimum initial spend for any foreign company wanting to invest. It could also help bring in the know-how and equipment Shar Phaung is after. -- That might take time, however. “Foreign investors are looking to see the extent to which peace can be brokered, achieved, and maintained in -- Another sticking point is the current mining law, which requires 30 to 70 percent profit sharing between an investor and the Myanmar government, which also seeks royalties and tax. The law is another environment and to peopleâs livelihoods. Jadeite mining in particular seems to be out of control. Foreign investor interest in Myanmarâs mining sector is intense, which suggests that the problem is likely to -- In its early months the Thein Sein administration made clear its commitment to enacting a new Foreign Investment Law. A draft was submitted to the legislature toward the end of 2011, but the first of a young Buddhist woman by three Muslim men, which started off this latest savagery, should be investigated properly. Though she condemned the violence, some might think that her criticism did not go far -- * [56]Corporate News * [57]Investments * [58]Sports October 09, 2012 Burma's president is drumming up support for more investment in his country as it emerges from decades of military rule. -- "At present due to political and economic developments in our country there are opportunities as well as challenges in foreign investments. In this regard, SMEs [Small and Medium Enterprises] in Myanmar should -- be prepared to face challenges as well as effectively utilizing investment opportunities. Thus we look forward to receiving necessary assistance and co-operation from Kbiz [Korea Federation of Small and -- government, making the resource-rich southeast Asian nation a prime candidate for investment and development. Just last week, a South Korean firm signed a deal to build a 500 -- megawatt power plant in Rangoon. But while Burma is eager to attract foreign investment, potential investors have raised questions about the pace of reform and access to the country's natural resources. Profile image By The Sovereign Investor [18]Contributor profile | [19]More stories -- That’s exactly why I flew to Burma in early June to attend the 2012 Myanmar Investment Summit. I joined executives from 300 companies – from more than a score of countries – in the main ballroom of the Park -- the U.S. government announced exactly what I predicted. It lifted the decades-old ban on companies investing in Burma. A few days later, General Electric secured a deal to sell X-ray machines to two private -- This is exactly the point at which I want to be an investor in a country like Burma. I like to arrive early to these parties, when the -- A poll out of Hong Kong just this week showed that Asian asset managers now rank Burma as the greatest investment opportunity for the next five years. -- Fortunes are clearly up for grabs as Burma opens up to the world. The Risk-Free Way to Invest in Emerging Markets -- But every investor needs some exposure to the emerging and frontier markets. They are the future of the world economy. The U.S. has had its -- [24]click here for my latest special report. [25][sovereign-investor?d=yIl2AUoC8zA] [26][sovereign-investor?i=XCHKZBWD-mk:KDfMA1-4ri4:V_sGLiPBpWU] [XCHKZBWD-mk] Burmese Investment Boom Fuels Worries Over Land Grabs -- October 22, 2012 BANGKOK — The opening of Burma’s economy to foreign investors is leading to conflicts over land confiscation, as politically-connected -- Now, as the government considers new laws to attract foreign investors, activists say there has been a rash of land seizures with up to 3.6 -- million hectares being taken by government, private companies and the military as the economy prepares for more foreign investment. -- The Institute’s Woods says new land laws and foreign investment laws will leave small scale farmers vulnerable in government moves to set up -- unfair - this comes up in the media. Even in the north you hear stories of Chinese investment which is already providing much more significant compensation for land per acre than used to be,” Perdiquero noted. -- Analysts say the issue remains a key test of the Burmese government’s ability to entice foreign investment and create a government body to address the complaints of the country’s citizens. [18]Myanmar Gets Record Investment After Years of Isolation -- 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 oil companies after the southeast Asian nation took its first steps toward -- democratic moves, and the International Monetary Fund forecast direct foreign investment into the country formerly known as Burma will rise 40 percent to a record $3.99 billion this year. Natural gas is -- President 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 thatâs seeking to emerge from 50 years of economic and -- âCompanies will be careful before investing because many policies are still very uncertain, and once in place thereâs no certainty they wonât -- Control Risks, a global business risk consultancy which also advises companies investing in Myanmar, said in an interview in New Delhi Sept. 13. âA stable and secure investment environment is a long-term project.â -- âPressing the button on transparency will help attract major western companies to invest in Myanmar to a certain degree. It shows the willingness of Myanmarâs authorities to fight widespread corruption and provide much-needed regulatory clarity for foreign investors,â said Siddik Bakir, a London- based energy analyst for the Middle East and -- Hundreds of foreign investors met in Myanmarâs capital last week as they scout opportunities in the country even as Coca- Cola Co. and -- âForeign investment is crucial for Myanmarâs economic growth,â Ba Hla Aya, Charge dâAffaires 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 âtransparency is the keyâ 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 Seinâs attempt to open the economy to foreign investments is not the first time Myanmarâs 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. Rift in Myanmar over draft investment law -- IFRAME: ers.com%2Farticle%2F2012%2F08%2F29%2Fmyanmar-politics-investment-idINL4 E8JS33220120829&layout=standard&show_faces=false&width=450&action=recom -- [123]* President worried restrictions will hurt economy - sources * Draft law limits foreign investment in 13 sectors * Myanmar tycoons seen benefiting from changes By Martin Petty and Aung Hla Tun YANGON, -- * Draft law limits foreign investment in 13 sectors -- YANGON, Aug 29 (Reuters) - Protectionist clauses introduced by Myanmar's parliament to a long-awaited foreign investment law have sparked concern the legislation will scare off foreign companies and -- Two sources with direct knowledge of the law say President Thein Sein wants to make it attractive to foreign investors and his office has been working behind the scenes to convince lawmakers to ease -- The law, crucial to foreign investment in one of Asia's last frontier markets, has been stuck in Myanmar's bicameral parliament for five -- barriers for foreign joint ventures in 13 restricted sectors could ultimately force some foreign firms to reconsider investing in Myanmar, say officials with ties to the president. -- and political reforms, many foreign businesses have held off committing to investments despite praising Myanmar's potential in sectors from tourism to timber, oil and gas. -- The overhaul of the law puts restrictions on 13 sectors, limiting foreign firms to a maximum 49 percent investment. The restricted sectors include manufacturing, farming, agriculture and fisheries. -- The investment law is one of the biggest pieces of legislation handled by a parliament that has become increasingly vocal under the leadership -- Changes to the draft legislation, which initially allowed 100 percent investments by foreigners in any sector, followed a June 30 meeting in Yangon between Shwe Mann and Myanmar businessmen who urged an immediate -- IFRAME: ers.com%2Farticle%2F2012%2F08%2F29%2Fmyanmar-politics-investment-idINL4 E8JS33220120829&layout=standard&show_faces=false&width=450&action=recom -- * [171]About Thomson Reuters * [172]Investor Relations * [173]Careers -- [175]Thomson Reuters is the world's largest international multimedia news agency, providing [176]investing news, [177]world news, [178]business news, [179]technology news, headline news, small business