The Myanmar Economy Six Months after the Coup: What’s Next?

MYANMAR STUDIES PROGRAMME WEBINAR

About the Webinar

Since it seized power on 1 February 2021, Myanmar’s military has tried to project a business-as-usual, business-friendly approach. In its first pronouncement after the coup, the Commander-in-Chief’s office committed to “effectively” continue with the “momentum” of the Covid-19 pandemic prevention, and to recover from the economic fallout of the pandemic. A week after the coup, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing went live, stating there would be no change in the country’s foreign, economic and government policies, and inviting “domestic and foreign investments”. More than half a year after the coup, harsh realities belie these promises. The World Bank’s Myanmar Economic Monitor report released in July 2021 highlighted that the political crisis since February 1 and the recent Covid-19 surge had compounded the stress on an already weakened economy, with severe implications for employment, income, businesses and any prospects for recovery. The percentage of people living in poverty, compared to 2019, was expected to more than double by the beginning of 2022.

In this dire scenario for livelihoods and future growth, two experts following the coup’s impact on the economy and people’s lives in Myanmar, will share their insights and assessments on the impact on the ground, the devastating effects of the most recent Covid-19 wave, how different economic actors and interlocutors are navigating the ground, and the relevance of alternative visions for responsible investment proposed by the National Unity Government.

About the Speakers

Khine Win is Executive Director of the Sandhi Governance Institute, which he founded in 2008. The Sandhi Institute has organized trainings on political leadership, governance and public policy, and public-private partnership, including various political trainings for members of regional parliaments, political parties and civil society organizations. Khine Win was with the Yangon University’s Department of English from 1991 to 1995. He has worked with diplomatic missions and international organizations in Myanmar for more than ten years in various capacities. His main interests include civil society development, local governance, economic development, public sector reform, public- private partnership (PPP) and democratization.

Thompson Chau is editor-at-large at Frontier Myanmar and has written for publications including the Economist, Nikkei Asia, the Financial Times, the Telegraph and Chinese-language outlets in Taiwan. Until this February, he was chief reporter plus associate editor of Myanmar Times, taking charge of the 2020 elections coverage, and previously digital and business editor. He also co-founded and edited Yangon-based corporate magazine EuroMatters. Thompson serves as a director of the Myanmar-Hong Kong Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Registration

This webinar will be delivered online entirely. You can join the webinar at the specified date and time using devices (computer, phone, or tablet) with internet connection.

Please register here to receive your unique link for joining the webinar.

Limited spaces only, register early to avoid disappointment.

To join the webinar,

1. Install the Zoom client onto your computer or download the app on your mobile device.
2. Click on the unique link in your email.

If you have questions for the speakers, please key in your questions via the Q&A, stating your name and affiliation. The moderator will field them to the speakers during the Q&A session.

Date

Aug 30 2021
Expired!

Time

GMT+8
10:00 am - 11:30 am

Location

Webinar