SEAN TURNELL: “There’s been a bit of a push back against some of the concessions granted to foreign investors. In particular, there seems to be a walling off of some of the sectors from foreign investors.”
For years, Burma’s military closely controlled the economy. Relatives and friends of military members received rich contracts.
Now, the civilian government wants to expand services and manufacturing. It is considering giving foreign companies low tax rates so they will invest.
But experts say this could be a mistake. Sean Turnell says investors are concerned about infrastructure problems, not taxes. Economists also say tax breaks for local businesses may not be the answer either. They say the lack of access to credit for farmers and businesses in Burma is a bigger problem.
Reform in Burma is still in the early stages. The country recently announced new rules ending direct government censorship of news media. Reporters now must send censors their work after it is published, instead of before. Some reporters say they will wait to see if this means more freedom.
Cyn-Young Park says investors too are waiting to see if reform will succeed.
CYN-YOUNG PARK: “It is really going to take a while before the investors do believe that this reform is sincere and the government is not going to retrench.”
The foreign investment legislation could be signed into law as early as this month.
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2013-11-25
2013-11-25
2013-11-25
2013-11-25
2013-11-25
2013-11-25