AUS
NZ
UK
CA
USA
FRA
GER
ESP
ITA
NLD
PRT
SWE
GRC
IND
POL
BRA
ZAF
RUS
CHN
UAE
Highlights
- In 2021 February, military took over Myanmar in its hand, causing civil, economic, and political unrest.
- There is high propensity that the conflict would escalate in the coming months, thus, businesses are becoming hesitant of continuing their services in the country.
- Myanmar’s economic monitor January 2022 report released by World Bank projects growth of 1% in Myanmar in the current year till September 2022.
Since February 2021, a lot has been happening in Myanmar. As the world collectively fights the Covid-19 pandemic, this third world country has another life-threatening war going on. Last year, in February, the military took over the country in its hand, causing civil, economic, and political unrest.
Myanmar under consistent struggle
The military Junta took over Myanmar in February 2021 and since then the country has been under unrest. This political, economic, and civil disruption is likely to be continued for years. The world powers and international organisations are against this military takeover; thus, Myanmar is undergoing isolation amid the pandemic.
The organised rival government, the National Unity Government (NUG), is fighting against the military and thankfully, it has the support of the other ASEAN and western countries. In this political rivalry, who are suffering the most? - the civilians and businesses.
Why are businesses moving out of Myanmar
The business environment at risk in Myanmar
The US has passed an act that legitimises and supports NUG and stands against the military rule and the businesses running under it. Thus, the businesses functioning under the military rule are at risk. Additionally, international communities would impose penalties on the businesses who are dealing with the military.
There is high propensity that the conflict would escalate in the coming months, thus, businesses are becoming hesitant of continuing their services in the country.
Source: © Pedromonteiro | Megapixl.com
Glancing at Myanmar’s economic monitor January 2022 report released by World Bank
World Bank released the Myanmar economic monitor report on 25 January. The report summarises that the civilians of Myanmar are being severely tested by the ongoing pandemic and the military overtake.
The report projects growth of 1% in Myanmar in the current year till September 2022. Additionally, the economy will continue to contract, about 30% smaller than what it would have been without the pandemic and the military clash.
Sectors like finance, electricity, logistics and digital connections are facing significant issues. The country is also undergoing foreign exchange constraints. Conflicts are escalating in Myanmar, firstly because of humanitarian constraints and secondly because of fall in economic activities.
Additionally, because of inadequate health facilities, the vaccination rate is also low in Myanmar, because of which the civilians are at a higher risk against the Omicron and other variants of Covid-19.
The supply and demand chain in the country is severely disrupted. However, output and employment seem to be getting stabilised in the recent months.
Bottom line
Because of the problems listed above, most firms in the country have gone through significant losses, mostly are facing financial crunch and cash flow shortages. Because of disruptions in the economic activities, businesses are moving out of Myanmar, which poses weak growth prospects for the country.
