Economy

Production in Myanmar's Yadana gas field faces possible disruption as Western operation partners prepare to pull out. (Photo courtesy of PTTEP)
Energy

Russia-Ukraine war prompts PTTEP to produce more oil and gas

Thai exploration arm invests massively to boost profits, secure energy supply

14 April 2022
Senior General Min Aung Hlaing and his army ousted Myanmar's elected government in a military takeover on Feb. 1 last year, and Russian President Vladimir Putin invaded Ukraine on Feb. 24 this year. (Nikkei montage/Reuters/Getty Images/PTTEP）
25 March 2022
ASEAN is caught between Russian President Vladimir Putin, left, and Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Opinions within the block vary, but the conflict's effects will be felt by all. (Source photos by AP)
Ukraine war

ASEAN faces fallout from Russian invasion of Ukraine

Conflict to increase food prices, experts warn; responses from bloc members vary

25 February 2022
Houses in Thantlang, a town in Chin State, were razed by artillery attacks by the military. (Photo courtesy of Chin Human Rights Organization, AP)
1 February 2022
Soldiers and protesters outside Myanmar's Central Bank in Yangon on February 15, 2021. Myanmar's economy is expected to remain fragile.
Myanmar Crisis

Myanmar's 'critically weak economy' to grow 1% in 2022: World Bank

Bleak outlook comes after 18% contraction last year and as conflict rages

26 January 2022
The NUG is letting citizens use Tether because its greater use could weaken the power of the military. (Source photo by Reuters and Tether website)
Cryptocurrencies

Myanmar's pro-democracy forces resist with cryptocurrency

Tether emerges as potential savior for people seeking freedom over their assets

16 January 2022
Telenor's sale of its stake in Wave Money will be the largest fintech deal in Myanmar since Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing took power on Feb. 1, 2021. (Source photo by AP and Reuters)
Telecommunication

Telenor to divest Wave Money, exit Myanmar mobile banking

Military surveillance a major concern in biggest fintech deal since takeover

3 January 2022
Protesters march in support of ousted Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi in Yangon on Dec. 6 in this still image obtained from a social media video.
Myanmar Crisis

Myanmar ends 'year in the darkness' bloodier and poorer

Violence continues and economy shrinks since February political upheaval

30 December 2021
As the pandemic continued in 2021, Myanmar military leader Min Aung Hlaing seized power, the U.S. and U.K. agreed to share nuclear submarine tech with Australia, Chinese tennis player Peng Shuai made an explosive revelation and BTS ruled the airwaves. 
Asia Insight

From Myanmar to AUKUS to BTS: Newsmakers that shaped Asia in 2021

As COVID raged, the security landscape shifted and superstars made their mark

28 December 2021
Villagers near Yangon face huge losses of income because of the political turmoil.
Myanmar Crisis

Half of Myanmar will live on less than a dollar a day, says UNDP

Those in poverty seen doubling due to pandemic and political turmoil

1 December 2021
Travelers at Myanmar's Yangon international airport in March 2020. The country is set to allow international passengers with a business visa to travel in and out of the country as soon as January, and tourists by March. 
Myanmar Crisis

Myanmar plans to allow international flights from January

Restart expected to begin with business travelers and expand to tourists

16 November 2021
People hold placards in Yangon calling for a boycott of products made by companies associated with Myanmar's military government. (Photo courtesy of Ma We Nae)
Myanmar Crisis

Myanmar's shadow government to issue $1bn in zero-interest bonds

Funds to support those resisting military government after February takeover

6 November 2021
Construction work at many redevelopment projects funded by foreign investment has come to a halt in Myanmar. Photo was taken Oct. 8.
Myanmar Crisis

Myanmar FDI drops to 8-year low, reflecting post-takeover unrest

IMF expects economy to shrink next year as foreign currency revenue disappears

19 October 2021
A Telenor sign outside a cellphone retailer in Myanmar's Shan state, pictured in June 2018: the company's task now is to find a buyer for its local assets and wholly-owned subsidiary. (Photo by Yuichi Nitta)
Opinion

No easy exit for investors from post-military takeover Myanmar

Foreign companies face challenging problems withdrawing from the market

12 October 2021
The ADB confirms Myanmar's industrial output and employment have fallen since an inconclusive military takeover in February.
Economy

ASEAN's delta battle mows nearly 1% off ADB growth forecast

Myanmar in line to contract 18.4% in 2021 as military rule and COVID take toll

22 September 2021
A money-changer's office in Yangon: Myanmar's currency, the kyat, has fallen 20% to 30% since a military takeover of the government on Feb. 1.
Myanmar Crisis

Myanmar currency hovers near all-time low

Flip-flopping on forex trading band rules rattles market, pushes down kyat

16 September 2021
Anti-coup protesters march in Mandalay on Aug. 8, the anniversary of a 1988 uprising. Myanmar's parallel government is preparing to subsidize 250,000 people who have joined the civil disobedience movement.
Myanmar Crisis

Myanmar parallel government to challenge regime with $700m budget

Shadow finance minister takes aim at military generals on economic battlefield

2 September 2021
The Central Bank of Myanmar, which is under the military's control, is wrestling with a steady depreciation of the country's currency, the kyat. (Source photos by Reuters)
Myanmar Crisis

Myanmar tightens grip on forex rates to combat kyat slippage

Central bank reinstates old regulation but concerns arise in growing black market

19 August 2021
A group of women hold torches as they protest against the military coup in Yangon on July 14.
Myanmar Crisis

World Bank forecasts 18% annual decline for Myanmar's economy

New report details factors hitting economy and public health

26 July 2021
The price of candles in Myanmar is going up: Power supplies are on the verge of collapse because most Burmese have refused to pay their electricity bills since the military's seizure of power in February.
Myanmar Crisis

Myanmar's lights go out as bill boycott fuels cash crunch

State hospitals forced to use costly generators as COVID-19 crisis deepens

25 July 2021
Telenor’s disastrous experience in Myanmar is likely to cloud foreign investor perceptions for decades. 
Myanmar Crisis

Telenor quits Myanmar as regime pressures telco operators

Fire sale highlights dilemmas for companies seeking to operate ethically

8 July 2021
A consumer buying vegetables at a local market on June 15. People are gradually coming back for shopping and working, but continue concerning about cash shortage.
Myanmar Crisis

Myanmar's cash shortage casts shadow despite rise in activity

Central bank avoids printing more money, fearing kyat's fall and inflation

18 June 2021
Yangon at night: The junta's solar power tender will be a litmus test on investor sentiment.
Myanmar Crisis

Myanmar junta's solar power bid tests post-coup investor sentiment

Western money uncommitted while China state companies said to be held back

10 June 2021
An activist gestures as other protesters hold pictures of victims of Myanmar's military coup at a demonstration in front of oil producer Total's headquarters near Paris, on March 25.
Myanmar Crisis

Total and Chevron strike symbolic blow at Myanmar junta's revenue

Activists urge further suspensions of gas-related payments

27 May 2021
Myanmar's military has tried to control the widespread civil disobedience movement's access to telecommunications and social media in the aftermath of its coup on Feb. 1. 
Myanmar Crisis

Myanmar's parallel government grapples with foreign investment dilemma

National Unity Government says it will not push companies 'into a corner'

26 May 2021