ABSTRACT
Myanmar, the largest country in mainland Southeast Asia, is located between Bangladesh to the west and Thailand to the east. It obtained independence from Britain in 1948 and became part of ASEAN in 1997. It is undergoing an historic transition after decades of armed conflict and economic stagnation. The country is beginning to make important strides toward realising its potential and the aspirations of its people. In 2014, its population was around 53.4 million, with a GDP of 53.3 billion (The World Bank, 2015). Myanmar has one of the lowest population densities in the region, with fertile lands, significant untapped agricultural potential and a rich endowment of natural resources. Its geographic location at the intersection of China and India, two of the world’s most dynamic economies, makes it well positioned to resume its traditional role as a regional trading hub and a key supplier of minerals, natural gas and agricultural produce (The World Bank, 2015).
