Road to and from Myanmar to India
New Delhi, RIS
4th February, 2013
Part I
Presentation at Brainstorming Session on India-Myanmar Strategic Partnership,
Organised by RIS, 4 February 2013
Emerging Conditions
Pre-British Burma – A Prosperous Land
British Burma – Nation at War
Independent Burma – Leaders in Agriculture & Gems
Birth of Myanmar – Thriving, Growing & Open
Road to and from Myanmar to India
India & Myanmar – Strong Ties & A Win-Win Situation
Creating knowledge Corridor – Mutual Growth & Prosperity
Across Economic-Ecology-Social – Creating a Virtuous Cycle
Contents
Pre-British BurmaFact Sheet
Ruler: Konbaung Dynasty were the last ruler before the British colonisation. Constantly in war with Siam (Thailand) and China during early 18th Century. Moved westward for expansion and captured Arakan, Assam and Manipur – triggering war with British.
Earliest Inhabitants: The Pyu from Yunnan(2nd century BCE), were the earliest recorded immigrants, known for adopting Buddhism as well as other cultural, architectural and political concepts through traders from India.
Ethnic Groups: Burman 68%, Shan 9%, Karen 7%, and 100 + other minor groups
Trade: Sandwiched between India and China, having second largest landmass in East Asia (677,000 sq km), Burma was part of an overland trade route from China to India since 4th century BCE.
Self Sufficient Economy: About 1500 BCE, people in the region were turning copper into bronze, growing rice, and domesticating chickens and pigs; they were among the first people in the world to do so.
It was also one of the first Southeast Asian countries to receive Buddhism.
ProsperousSelf sufficient economy, food
A wealthy land through constant
trade
Indian InfluenceDevout Buddhist
Indian cultural influence since as
early as 4th century BCE
In control of Assam, Manipur, Jaintia for
a decade (19th
century)
Early Foundation
British Burma
1824: Anglo-Burmese War I•Result (1826): British took control of Assam, Manipur, Cachar, Jaintia, Arakan, and Tenasserim.•Aftermath: The Treaty of Yandabo was signed to end the war, termed as peace treaty, and forced to pay an indemnity of one million pounds sterling, and sign a commercial treaty.
1852: Anglo-Burmese War II•Result (1853): Lost lower Burma to British (port of Martaban, Rangoon, Shwedagon Pagoda, Bassein, and Pegu).•Aftermath: The British troops looted the pagodas for their gold, silver and precious Buddha statues.
1885: Anglo-Burmese War III•Result (1885): Marked the end of the Konbaung dynasty in upper Burma.•Aftermath:
• Resistance continued in northern Burma until 1890, with the British finally resorting to a systematic destruction of villages and appointment of new officials to finally halt all guerrilla activity.
• Valuable possessions of the Burmese government were seized by the British. Items such as gold, jewelry, silk and ornamental objects were shipped back to Britain and presented as gifts to the royal family and notables of Britain.
War ILost control of NE
India
Beginning of British Rule
Severe financial burden and crippled
economy
War IILower Burma lost to
British
War IIIBurma under British
rule
Valuable possession seized and shipped
to Britain
War Zone
British Burma
Social DamageThe collapse of the
Burmese social system
Poverty and unemployment
raised crime and bad reputation
Introduction to WestEnglish language & literature introduced
to the nation
Industrialization through railways
and river transport
Rice exports to Europe
Social Influence
Fact Sheet
•Introduction to west: • Schools were founded for teaching in both
English and Burmese. Christian missionaries were encouraged to visit and found schools.
• Rice, high in demand in Europe, was the main crop grown in and exported.
• Railways system were built throughout the valley of the Irawaddy, and hundreds of steamboats travelling along it.
•Economy cracks:• Farmers were forced to borrow money, at
high interest rates, from Indian moneylenders.
• Transportation were owned by the British, and the Burmese had to pay higher rates to transport their goods.
• Thousands of Indian labourers migrated to Burma and worked for less money, quickly displaced the Burmese farmers.
• Though the country prospered, the Burmese people did not gain from the rapidly growing economy.
•Social collapse: The collapse of the Burmese social system led to a decay of the social conscience which, in the circumstances of poverty and unemployment caused a great increase in crime, giving themselves a bad reputation.
Opening of Victoria Memorial Park
Prince of Wales arrive by Train
Independent BurmaStruggle to freedom:•Aung San, whose family had been active in the Burman resistance became the leader of the movement for independence.•1942 – 1945: Japan invaded Burma•1948:
• Burma gains independence from British rule.• U Nu becomes the first Prime Minister
Democracy Denied:-1962: Ne Win staged a military coup. The constitution was replaced by a revolutionary council made up of military leaders.-1990: Aung San Suu Kyi, daughter of Aung San, won the election, however military refused to honor the results and Suu Kyi was placed under house arrest.-2007: Anger over the rising cost of food and fuel once again brought people to the streets.
Burma Gains in Economy:-Resource-rich country: Burma has vast timber, natural gas, mining, and fishery reserves, as well as the potential to be a major tourist destination.-Leaders:
- Burma produces 75% of the world's teak.- Burma produces precious stones such as rubies, sapphires, pearls,
and jade. 90% of the world's rubies come from the country.-Agriculture: 2008 rice production was at 50 million tons (60% of total cultivated land area).
Struggle ContinuesIndependent but
democracy denied
Natural Resource redeems
Leader in Teak exports
Heavy exporters of rubber, rice and other agriculture
products
Leader in export of rubies and special
stones
Gaining Foothold
Birth of MyanmarBirth of MyanmarBurma renamed Myanmar in 1989
Illegal trade started with India, China and
Myanmar
Thriving & OpenAung San Suu Kyi
elected to parliament in 2012
Making the reforms necessary to open-
up the country to the world
To host the 2013 SEA Games
Chair the 2014 ASEAN Summit
People & Politics
IrrawaddyThe lowlands of the Irrawaddy Delta with the largest city and former capital
Central MyanmarMandalay, historical and archaeological sites and cool hill towns
Western MyanmarRemote mountainous regions and some lovely beaches on the Bay of Bengal
Northern MyanmarA huge, fractious region including the southern reaches of the Himalayas and many ethnic tribes
Eastern MyanmarThe infamous Golden Triangle and a bewildering number of ethnic groups
Southeastern MyanmarThe southern coastal stretch bordering Thailand with a vast number of offshore islands
Rivers: The Chindwin (840 KM), The Irrawaddy (2,170 km), The Sittang (420 km), The Salween (2,815 km)
Birth of MyanmarPositive Policies
Policy reforms: anti-corruption, currency
exchange rate, foreign investment laws and taxation.
Positive EffectsForeign
investments increased by about 667% over past 2
years
The economy to expand at an avg
annual rate of 4.8% in 2012-13, before
growth accelerates in 2014-16
Potential
The best investment for Myanmar is one that combines business to promote the future of democracy.
Aung San Suu Kyi
Country Profile: Myanmar
• The ADB projected a 6-percent GDP growth for Myanmar in 2012
Source: Economic Intelligence Unit
GDP - composition by sector
2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016
Average = 5.6%
Real GDP growth rate forecast (%)
Data Published date : Aprill 3, 2012.
More than 700,000 students attend the 156 universities in Myanmar, which employ more than
10,000 teachers. About 13,000 students are also enrolled in one or two-year business-related courses, offered by the universities under the human resource
development program.
In the 20 years from 1988 to 2008 the total number of graduates from Myanmar universities is about 1.5
million
Literacy rate : Myanmar
Myanmar well positioned by way of human capital to lead nation’s economic growth
Myanmar Labor Force Myanmar Labor Force
Source: Indexmundi Source: CIA Factbook
• The labour force participation rate
for male (15 Yrs+) was 82% and
females (15 yrs+) was 75% in 2010.
• Over-all labour force participation rate
=78.40
Labour force participation rate
• In 2011, the unemployment rate
in Myanmar was estimated to be 5.5%
perhaps due to large agrarian economy
.
Unemployment rate
• The minimum wage rate prevailing in
Myanmar is MMK 15,000 per month for
public sector workers and MMK 500 per
day for day labourers.
• At International level = $401.00
Minimum wage
Workforce : Myanmar
India & Myanmar Knowledge Corridor
Skills
India MyanmarOpportunities
Infrastructure
Education
Healthcare
Tourism
Minerals & minesPower & energy
Technology
Carbon EconomyEcol
ogy
Econ
omy
Soci
al
Economy
Social
Ecology
• People-to-people contact• Cultural ties• Talent Development• Collaboration in higher edu.• Modern healthcare practices
• Bilateral Trade• Technology collaboration• Promote two way tourism• Enhanced access to SE Asia
• Low-carbon economy (LCE) • NE collaboration • Shared waters and
environmental concerns • Green economy
• Developing industry ecosystem• Infrastructure development• Technology collaboration• Create financial institutions• Industrialization• Create employment
• Cultural ties• Skill development for jobs• Quality higher education• Leapfrog technologies in
healthcare , social services
India & Myanmar –Activity at a GlanceChallengesProjects – Ongoing / Completed
Political Support Needed
•Laws, rules and regulations in Myanmar needs to support international trade.
Infrastructure Improvement
•Border infrastructure lack facilities and are insecure
•Illegal cross border trade
Banking Challenges
•The banking and financial sectors are poorly developed
•Volatile exchange rate of Myanmar currency
Transportation Projects•Tamu-Kalewa-Kalemyo Road•Rhi-Tiddim Road•Kaladan Multimodal Transport Project•Trilateral Highway (TH) connecting India, Myanmar and Thailand.•extending TH to connect Cambodia and Vietnam •India – Myanmar – Lao PDR – Cambodia - Vietnam Highway•Delhi – Ha Noi Railway Link
Industrial Projects•TCIL: ADSL for high speed data link•OVL, GAIL and ESSAR: Engaged in the energy sector•MoEP-1, NHPC: Tamanthi and Shwezaye Hydro-Electric Power project•TATA Motors: A heavy turbo-truck assembly plant•RITES: Rail transportation system
Capacity Development Projects•Industrial Training Centre•Centre for English Language Entrepreneurship Development Centre •Centre for Enhancement of IT Skills
Other Projects•Erection of disaster proof rice silos.•Upgradation of the Yangon Children’s Hospital and Sittwe General Hospital
Industry Ecosystem
Policy & Regulation
Financial System
ProducesSkilled Human
Resources
Education/Traininginstitutes
SME
SME
SME
SME
Technology EnablementTechnology Enablem
entTe
chno
logy
Ena
blem
ent
An example: Power Sector Human resource requirement
ITIPolytechnics
Other Skill institutes
High. Ed. Colleges / Univ.
Supervisors
ManagementEngg.
Senior Managers R&D Inst.
Engg.
ManagementTech Lead
Functional Lead
Top mgmt.
Project Manager
Industry Educational Institutions
Technicians (Boiler, Turbine, Generator, Piping, Utilities)
Electricians
Country Profile: Myanmar
During Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s visit to Myanmar in May 2012, India signed 12 agreements. One of the MoUs was to set up a Myanmar Institute of Information Technology
While the physical infrastructure, including building, faculty and technical staff would be provided by the Government of Myanmar, India’s role includes the following:
Supply of the equipment Identify a suitable partner institute in India for exchange
programs and knowledge sharing (IIIT – Bangalore) Help in formulation of syllabi, course structure, and training
modules Conduct training programs for the faculty and technical staff
through train-the trainer programmes.
The Myanmar Institute of Information Technology
Indian support in the areas specified would extend for a period of 5 years to enable the Institute to become self-sustaining.
India’s Responsibility
• The MoU is currently being
studied by the Government
for the next course of action
Capacity Building : Myanmar Institute of Information Technology
Citizen Services
Social Development
Public Health
Public Infrastructure
Defence & Security
Disaster Management
Revenue & Taxation
Increased GovernanceReduced Government
Role of Technology in Governance
•Myanmar’s recent political reforms and 2012 election
have cast a spotlight on the information and
communication technology (ICT) potential of the
nation.
• With a population of over 60 million inhabitants,
Myanmar is virtually one of the last untapped ICT
markets in the Asia/Pacific region with fast rising
potential,
Myanmar IT Spending by Major IT CategoryMyanmar IT Spending by Major IT Category
•IT Spending: IDC expects a 17% year-on-year (YoY) growth in 2012, and the market is expected to reach US$233.56
million by 2016, representing a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 16% over the forecast period between 2011 and 2016.
•Myanmar is unquestionably a green field market for ICT investments
Source: IDC, July 2012
•Myanmar’s recent political reforms and 2012 election
IT Potential in Myanmar
Country Profile: Myanmar
Source: wearesocial, Wiki
ICT Landscape as of March, 2012
Impacting Lives through technology
Banking Solutions Telecom Social
Services
Disaster Management
Direct & Indirect Taxes
Citizen Services
Healthcare
Infrastructure
Corporate Registration
& Filing
citizens
Thank You