Nay Pyi Taw, 12 July

Since 2010, the Myanmar government has implemented a broad platform of political and economic reforms aimed at spurring growth and increasing the country’s participation in the global economy. One objective of these reforms is to bring about structural change that makes Myanmar more reliant on the manufacturing sector.

There are three SEZs in Myanmar such as Dawei SEZ, Thilawa SEZ and Kyaukphyu SEZ. Out of them, the Thilawa Special Economic Zone - located on the outskirts of Yangon - is the first Special Economic Zone (SEZ) built in Myanmar, and had become fully (commercially) operational in September 2015.

Thilawa Special Economic Zone jointly established by Myanmar and Japanese governments as of 2015-16 financial year is being operated with US$2.12 billion within eight years.

Before the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, 94 companies from 21 countries operated their production with investments. During the third wave of the pandemic in 2021, 89 companies suspended their operations. Thanks to the efforts of the Thilawa SEZ Work Group and management committee, 82 companies resumed their operations. The remaining companies are also expected to resume their work soon.

Currently, the Thilawa SEZ has created more than 13,300 employment opportunities for local people with more plans to generate more than 300,000 jobs for the Myanmar people, according to statistics released by the Global New Light of Myanmar daily published on 27 May, 2022.—MDN