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Myanmar

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Profile

The British Chamber of Commerce Myanmar is an independent, non-profit membership organisation which promotes, supports and represents business interests in Myanmar. The organisation launched in July 2014 with the support of high profile British businesses, BG Group, Jardines, Prudential and Standard Chartered Bank. The Chamber has since grown to a network of over 160 member companies, and has become a leading business membership organisation in Myanmar. 

The Chamber  provides regular networking opportunities for the business community, up to date and relevant information on doing business in Myanmar, and a platform for members to engage with Government on issues affecting business.

Services for Exporters

The British Chamber of Commerce Myanmar delivers practical business services to new market entrants and businesses wishing to expand their operations in Myanmar. The aim of these services is to identify the vast range of opportunities that Myanmar has to offer and to assist businesses innavigating their route to market.

UK Trade and Investment Burma and the Chamber work together to support British businesses who are interested in investing in Myanmar.

The Chamber provides the following services:

• Business matching and identifying local contacts
• Arranging market visit programs for incoming UK businesses
• Organisation of promotional Event 

The Chamber also supports on the organisation of incoming Trade Missions from the UK, or UK companies visiting from neighbouring markets.

Eligibility for services:

• Companies applying for services must have an active UK trading address. A UK trading address includes both UK-based businesses investing, or looking to invest overseas and foreign-owned businesses based in the UK. Not-for-profit organizations and charities can also qualify. 
• UK companies must be able to demonstrate that any support they receive from the British Chamber of Commerce Myanmar would help them deliver economic benefit to the UK through this trading address.
• The British Chamber of Commerce Myanmar retains discretion on who can access its services.

Market Information

Myanmar, a country of approximately 52 million, is currently undergoing an extraordinary transformation politically and economically, in opening up after 50 years of isolation, presenting significant opportunities for British business.

In November 2015, Myanmar held its first national vote since a nominally civilian government was introduced in 2011, ending nearly 50 years of military rule. The National League for Democracy (NLD), led by Aung San Suu Kyi, won a key landslide victory and will assume their position as governing party on 1st April 2016.

GDP growth for 2015/16 was 8.5% and growth of 8.2% is forecast for 2016/17, making it the fastest growing country in South East Asia. An increase in consumer spending has meant there is a growing middle class with an appetite for British products and services.

Myanmar is based in a strategic location bordering China, Thailand, and India, where 40% of the world's population live, providing a land link between two of the world's largest economies, China and India. It has a vast coastline which stretches across 1,930kms, forming a quarter of its total perimeter, making it accessible by sea. By 2030, over half of the world's consuming class will live within a 5-hour flight to Myanmar.

Due to the pace of economic development, this means opportunities can be identified for British companies in vast range of sectors. Immediate opportunities can be found in:

• Energy & Infrastructure,
• Financial, Legal & Professional Services,
• Healthcare and Pharmaceuticals, Education and Vocational Training

The British Chamber of Commerce Myanmar is part of a regional South-East Asia network of Britain in South East Asia (BiSEA) Chambers. BiSEA is committed to supporting British businesses entering ASEAN and helping  British businesses grow through offering practical business services to companies. As the last frontier market in South East Asia, these are exciting times for Myanmar as it emerges to be a key regional player in the ASEAN region.