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Rob Lally
Deputy Director, Asia
Strategic Trade Group
www.ukti.gov.uk
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270 Trade Advisers in the UK
162 Offices around the world
100 + 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
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Offshore oil and gas
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Education and training – major requirement at all levels, plus vocational training
and English language. British education held in high regard.
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Telecoms – extremely low mobile phone penetration/internet capacity.
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Construction sector – anticipated construction boom.
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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.
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Business services- major foreign require international standard support services
– lawyers, accountants, real estate agents, recruitment consultants, facilities
management companies, etc.
Recent Progress
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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).
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Preparations underway for independent Central Bank – Bank
of England has been offering its advice on this;
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Government is developing National Economic Plans.
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Agreement on resolving much of Burma’s international arrears
and IFIs are considering lending again;
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EU is looking at reinstating GSP.
Looking ahead:
CAPACITY
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THE WAY FORWARD
 Partnership
 Patience
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Rob Lally
Deputy Director, Asia
Strategic Trade Group
 Tel: 020 7215 8469, [email protected]