MYANMAR

(Burma)
PHYSICAL
REGION
 GEOGRAPHY
• Located in the western portion of mainland Southeast
Asia.
• Myanmar is the northernmost country of Southeast Asia.
• It is shaped like a kite with a long tail that runs south
along the Malay Peninsula.
• The country is bordered by China to the north and
northeast, Laos to the east, Thailand to the southeast,
Bangladesh to the west, and India to the northwest.
• Myanmar covers 653,508 square kilometers of land and
23,070 square kilometers of water, making it the 40th
largest nation in the world with a total area of 676,578
square kilometers.
• The currency of Myanmar is the Kyat (MMK)
 CLIMATE
• Three seasons:
Cool (late October to mid-February)
Hot (mid-February to mid-May)
Rainy (mid-May to late October)
• The cold air masses of Central Asia bring snow to
the northern mountains for two months of the year

• The Country is rich in timber, gems, oil, natural gas

and mineral deposits, all of which are major sources
of hard currency.
 PEOPLE AND ANIMAL LIFE
• Half of Myanmar remains covered with forests of
various types.
• The jungles of Myanmar are home to a profusion of
birdlife. The Asian two-horned rhinoceros, water
buffalo, the gaur and various kinds of deer were
once plentiful but are now reduced in number and
protected. Elephants, tigers, leopards, and wildcats
are still common. Bears are found in hilly regions,
and gibbons and monkeys of various kinds inhabit
the thicker parts of the forests. Snakes and
crocodiles are found in the deltas. Turtles live in
coastal regions, and edible fish abound in every
stream.
 LANDMARKS

Yangon

Shwedagon
Pagoda
Pindaya
Bagan

Thanbodday
Temple
 Golden
Rock

Mandalay
Monywa

Mawlamyine
Irrawaddy Lake

Inle
Lake

Ngapali
POLITICAL
REGION
 MYANMAR’S NAME
• 1989 the country’s official English name, was changed from
the Socialist Republic of the Union of Burma to the Union of
Myanmar;
• In the Burmese language the country has been known as
Myanma (or, more precisely, Mranma Prañ ) since the 13th
century.
• In 2005 the government began to shift its administrative
center, first to the city of Pyinmana and then to Nay Pyi Taw
(Naypyidaw); Nay Pyi Taw was proclaimed the capital of
Myanmar in 2006.
• “Myanmar” avoids national identification with the Burmese
Ethnic Group; “Burma” is an english corruption of “Bamar”,
the Burmese term for that ethnic group. Myanmar has in fact
been the official name for the country since at least the time
of Marco Polo’s 13th century writings.
 THE GOLDEN ERA
Before it was a nation called Burma, the rich and
beautiful land was domesticated through a series
of remarkable kingdoms and empires of unique breadth
across Southeast Asia. These progressive cultures instilled
ideas and habits that still permeate Myanmar’s society,
including a love of literacy and an egalitarian belief in the
equality of men and women. The modern era of Burma
began when the last dynasty looked west to neighboring
India in the early 19th century and bumped into another
dynasty, the British Empire. The resulting clash of powers
ended with Burma being incrementally taken over by the
British, first as an Indian province and then as a crown
colony.
 BRITISH OCCUPATION
The next 75 years under British rule were both a
blessing and a bane for the people of Burma. The opening
of the Suez Canal meant new markets for Burmese rice,
which brought prosperity to the country. Under the
tutelage of the British, a system of laws and civil service
were established, and the separation of church and state
reordered society. After being occupied yet again, this time
by the Japanese in World War II, Burma finally
gained independence in 1948. Revolutionary General Aung
San is credited with uniting Burma, but many of the ethnic
groups in the valleys and highlands of Burma also
contributed to the effort to throw off the yoke of
colonialism.
 JADED TIMES
The first government of an independent
Burma briefly flourished—at one point co-
founding the Movement of Non-Aligned States
along with the leaders of India, Indonesia,
Yugoslavia and Egypt—but the interference of
military leaders began within 10 years of
independence. Promotion of Buddhism and
tolerance of ethnic movements irked watching
generals.
 JUNTA ERA BEGINS
In 1962, the military-civilian tension came to a head
with a coup that toppled an elected government and
established what the coup leaders called “the Burmese way
to Socialism.” One-party politics followed. Newspapers
were closed, which consolidated the transformation from
an open society to a closed one.
A decade of military dictatorship ended in 1974 when
Army leaders gave themselves constitutional credibility in a
new People’s Assembly. In other words, nothing changed.
Burma continued to be personally exploited by people at
the top, while ethnic groups scattered around the country
continued to be marginalized. Guerrilla insurgencies gained
new momentum.
 Another dozen years of Burmese life on a short and barbed
leash ended with major student-led eruptions in 1988. A
resulting coup seemed providential because it called for
revision of the self-serving 1974 constitution and multi-party
elections. However, the tactic boomeranged when an anti-
military party called National League for Democracy easily
prevailed at the polls. Military leaders simply refused to honor
the vote.
During the following 20 years, things changed only in the
margins. Ethnic groups on the borders gained strength and the
co-founder of the National League for Democracy, Aung San
Suu Kyi, became a symbolic leader of the opposition. As the
daughter of General Aung San, the novice politician leveraged
her heritage as a national champion. Her reward was years
of house arrest and denial of citizenship privileges. Winning
the Nobel Prize for Peace in 1991 gave her international
standing but didn’t end the harassment.
 LOUSTROUS FUTURE
In 2008, almost 50 years of darkness began to be pierced
by the bright light of hope. Somewhere in the deeper recesses
of the uniformed ruling establishment, a sense of fatigue had
set in. A mini-dawning of the futility of their course
apparently occurred. A public protest led by Buddhist
monks in 2007 was dispersed, but even violent reprisals
against those demonstrators were less sustained than in the
past.
So the announcement in 2008 of a referendum on yet
another constitution was greeted skeptically, even though the
new national document seemed to set the stage for a multi-
party democracy. The national vote overwhelmingly approved
the constitution, an electoral event that, as usual, was deemed
to be less than transparent. However, parliamentary
elections were duly approved for 2012.
 FLAG OF MYANMAR
solidarity among
ethnic groups

peace, tranquility and consolidated

the nation’s verdant union
environment

courage &
decisiveness
 GOVERNMENT TRANSITION
• Historically, Burma was a monarchy ruled by various
dynasties prior to the 19th century.
• On 4 January 1948, Burma achieved independence from
Britain, and became a democracy based on the
constitutional parliamentary.
• In 1962, General Ne Win led a coup d'état and established a
nominally socialist military government that sought to
follow the "Burmese Way to Socialism." The military
expropriated private businesses and followed an economic
policy of autarky , or economic isolation.
• In May 20, 2008, they had their new constitution and also
they had their first national vote.
• And last 2016 elections, their government became a pure
democracy.
 LEGISLATIVE BRANCH
• the legislative power of the Union is shared among
the Pyidaungsu Hluttaw, State and Region Hluttaws.
The Pyidaungsu Hluttaw consists of the People's
Assembly (Pyithu Hluttaw) elected on the basis of
township as well as population, and the House of
Nationalities (Amyotha Hluttaw) with on an equal
number of representatives elected from Regions and
States. The People's Assembly consists of 440
representatives, with 110 being military personnel
nominated by the Commander-in-Chief of the Defence
Services. The House of Nationalities consists of 224
representatives with 56 being military personnel
nominated by the Commander-in-Chief of the Defence
Services.
 JUDICIAL BRANCH
Wareru Dhammathat
• or the Manu dhammathat was the earliest law-
book in Burma.
• Burma's judicial system is limited. British-era laws
and legal systems remain much intact, but there is
no guarantee of a fair public trial. The judiciary is
not independent of the executive branch.  Burma
does not accept compulsory International Court of
Justice jurisdiction. The highest court in the land is
the Supreme Court.
 LIVESTOCK
• Burmese farmers raise a variety of animals
including cattle, water buffalo, goats, sheep,
chickens, and pigs. Oxen and water buffalo serve
as draught animals in agriculture and for rural
transportation. The GDP share of the livestock
has increased slightly during the past decade.
Most of the cattle are raised in the dry zone in
the north.
• Burma is the 84th largest export economy in the
world and the 140th most complex economy
according to the Economic Complexity Index
(ECI).
 INDUSTRY
• Primarily an agricultural country, Burma has always lagged
behind in industrial production. The colonial authorities
discouraged industrialization and encouraged only the
production of raw materials, although there were some
industrial developments towards the end of the colonial
period.
• Main Industries:
a. Wood g. pharmaceuticals
b. copper h. petroleum gas
c. tin i. natural gas
d. iron j. garments
e. cement k. jade and gem
f. construction materials
COMMERCIAL ACTIVITIES
• The largest companies and financial institutions are
state-owned, with the private sector limited mainly to
small-scale trading.
• In recent years, more imported goods, especially from
China, have appeared in local markets and there has
been growth in the private sector.
• The main cities and many smaller towns have one or
more central markets that sell a wide variety of domestic
and imported goods, including clothing and cloth,
tobacco, food, baskets, jewelry, toiletries, and electronic
goods.
• There are also specialized markets, such as the iron
bazaar in Rangoon's Chinatown.
 TRADE
• Legal exports include timber, rice, beans and pulses, fish, garments,
precious stones, and rice. Legal imports include construction materials,
plant equipment, and consumer goods.
• China, Thailand, and India are their main markets for timber, but most
wood is exported illegally. Burma is famous for rubies and jade, but since
1962, a lack of capital and expertise has hindered that industry. As with
timber, most ruby and jade exports go through illegal channels.
• Burma is the world's largest supplier of illegal opiates (opium and heroin),
and the export of amphetamines has increased. Most of the heroin
available in the United States originates from Burma. The trafficking in
drugs is illegal; thus, an accurate assessment of its contribution to the
economy Money from the illegal narcotics trade plays a crucial role in the
national economy and in keeping the regime solvent. Much of the
production of illegal narcotics, however, is in the hands of ethnic rebels in
Shan State. Recent peace accords between the government and some rebel
groups have given the regime access to income from narcotics.
• Thailand and India are Burma's primary sources of legal and illegal
imported goods. Small amounts are also imported from other neighboring
countries such as India, Malaysia, and Singapore.
• The top exports of Burma are Petroleum Gas ($4.47B),
Dried Legumes($1.06B), Rough Wood ($920M), Precious
Stones ($752M) and Pearl Products ($488M), using the
1992 revision of the HS (Harmonized System)
classification. Its top imports are Refined Petroleum
($1.94B), Broadcasting Equipment ($910M), Delivery
Trucks ($691M), Precious Stones ($686M) and Cars
($599M).
• The top export destinations of Burma are China ($4.25B),
Thailand($3.63B), India ($1.1B), Japan ($851M) and South
Korea ($579M). The top import origins are China ($8.8B),
Thailand ($4.21B), Singapore ($2.18B), Japan ($1.16B) and
India ($860M).
HUMAN
REGION
 THE PEOPLE
• Burma – Burmese
• Myanmar – Myanma
• Myanmar has around a hundred different ethnic groups.
Around 65% of the population consists of ethnic Burmese,
while the remaining 35% are tribal and other ethnic
groups: the Shan, the Karen, the Rakhine, the Chin, Kachin,
and the Mon
• The average life expectancy for a male is 57.35 years and
for female 62.93 years. There is a 1.20 percentage of the
population with HIV/AIDS. About one third (29.3%) of the
population is under the age of 15 and only 4.60% of the
population ver the age of 65.
 SOCIAL NAMES
For Men
• KO- the general title for adult male
• U (OO)- an older or well respected man’s name
• Aung- for younger men
 
For Women
• Daw – woman’s name
 ETHNIC RELATIONS
The majority of the people speak Tibeto-Burman languages.
Tibeto-Burman speakers in Burma can be divided into six distinct
groups. The Burmish constitute the largest of these groups by
population. Nungish speakers live in upland areas in Kachin State. The
main Baric-speaking group is the Jingpho in Kachin State. The Kuki-
Naga-speaking peoples include a large number of ethnic groups in the
mountains along the border with India and Bangladesh. The Luish
group includes the Kado, who live near the border with the Indian
state of Manipur. The Karen groups live in the hills along the border
with Thailand and the southern lowlands. The Lolo-speaking groups
tend to be the most recent immigrants to Burma; they live in the
highlands of Shan and Kachin states.
There are also large numbers of speakers of Austro-Tai languages.
The largest Daic-speaking group is the Shan, who constitute the
majority in Shan State. Smaller, related groups include the Tai Khun,
Lue, Tai Nua, and Khamti. Other Austro-Tai speakers include the
Austronesian-speaking Moken and small groups of Hmong and Mien in
Shan State.
 LANGUAGE
Burmese
• country’s official language
• it is a Tibeto-Burman language
• The modern alphabet consists of 33 letters
(consonants) and 12 basic vowels (sequential
extensions result in 21 vowels) which are
combined with various symbols (4 in basic, 11
in total consonant combination symbols) to
indicate the tones.
 Take Note
• Burmese Are More Educated Than You Think
• Burmese are generally quite educated with a literacy rate
of 92.7%. And according to a local guide even more closer
to 97% in 2015. Book stands on every corner of the streets
of Yangon. There is no gender discrimination in the
education system as well as legal and economic rights are
equal, statements are contradictory from different sources.
• Many locals who speak quite well English, German and
French and some other languages as well. They seem very
eager to learn and it is therefore no surprise that you will
find friendly locals hanging out at tourist attractions like
the Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon or Mandalay Hill.
RELIGION
Religion

Buddhism
Christianity
Islam
Hinduism
Spiritualism
Others
SOCIAL STRATIFICATION
• Classes and Castes. Not only is poverty widespread,
there is marked inequality. Essentially, the society is
divided into tiny elite, a fairly small middle class, and a
large number of very poor people. While there are
traditional elites within most of the ethnic groups and
new elites in some groups whose wealth comes from
smuggling, the national elite is overwhelmingly Burmese.
In recent years income from the narcotics trade has been
an important source of wealth for members of the elite.
Although some segments of the middle class have
prospered from the economic reforms of the late 1980s,
most have not done well and remain poor.
 GENDER ROLES AND STATUSES
• Division of Labor by Gender. Both men and women do
agricultural work, but individual tasks are often gender-specific.
Men prepare the land for planting and sow seeds, and women
transplant rice seedlings. Harvesting is done by both men and
women. Men thresh the rice. Most domestic work is done by
women. During ceremonies, however, men are involved in food
preparation. A variety of traditional handicrafts are made within
the household or by specialists. Items of metal, wood, or stone
generally are made by men, and weaving usually is done by women.
Pottery, basketry, plaiting, making lacquerware, and making
umbrellas can be done by men or women. Small-scale market
selling and itinerant trading are conducted by both sexes.
Transportation of goods or people by animal, carts, boat, or motor
vehicle is done mainly by men. Religious specialists and traditional
curers generally are male, but sometimes they are female. Spirit
mediums can be male or female. Traditional theatrical and musical
performances involve both genders. Women work mainly in
teaching and nursing.
MYANMAR TRADE AGREEMENTS
• The government of Myanmar is entering into an increasing number of international
agreements and investment treaties. To date it has signed bi-lateral investment protection
agreements with China, India, Kuwait, Laos, the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam. Myanmar
is part of the ASEAN Free Trade Area. As an ASEAN member Myanmar is party to a wide range
of multi-lateral trade related of agreements and initiatives. These include, among others, the
ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Area which is intended to liberalise and facilitate
the trade in goods and services improve the business environment and promote cooperation
between member countries; and the framework of the EU-ASEAN Cooperation Agreement.
ASEAN is currently negotiating varying forms of free-trade arrangements with China, Japan,
India and the Republic of Korea. It is due to commence negotiations with the government of
Hong Kong in later part of 2013.
• Myanmar is also part of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sector Technical and Economic
Cooperation, which aims to establish a free trade area by 2017 among Bangladesh, Bhutan,
India, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Thailand; The Ayeyawady – Chao Phraya – Mekong Economic
Cooperation Strategy  which aims to bridge the economic gap between Cambodia, Lao,
Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam, and other ASEAN member nations and to promote welfare in
the Mekong sub-region; The Asian Clearing Union whose members have agreed to facilitate
easier settlement of international payments for intra-regional transactions of international
trade among the participating central banks.
• On 21 May 2013 Myanmar entered into an historic Trade and Investment Framework
Agreement with the U.S. On 12 June the European Union readmitted Myanmar to its trade
preference scheme, the GPS, on which grants developing nations preferential – in the form of
lower tariffs – when selling certain products into the EU.
 MYANMAR AND THE NEW
YORK CONVENTION

• The purpose of the Convention (Recognition

and Enforcement of Foreign Arbitral Awards
1958 is to establish common legislative
standards for the recognition of arbitration
agreements and court recognition and
enforcement of foreign and non-domestic
arbitral awards.
 MYANMAR AND
THE WTO
• In 1948 Myanmar was among the twenty-three
original signatories to the General Agreement
on Tariffs and Trade. It has been a member of
the World Trade Organization (WTO) since 1
January 1995.
 MYANMAR AND
THE ILO

• In June 2013 the International Labor

Organization (ILO) announced the lifting of
restrictions against Myanmar.
 MYANMAR AND THE
WORLD BANK
• Myanmar first became a member of the
International Bank for Development and
Reconstruction in 1952, the International
Financial Corporation in 1956, and the
International Development Association in
1962, the three institutions that make up
the World Bank Group.
 MYANMAR AND
THE ASEAN
• Its aims include accelerating economic
growth, social progress, cultural development
among its members, protection of regional
peace and stability, and opportunities for
member countries to discuss differences
peacefully.