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(…) Myanmar is one of few countries in the world with natural teak forests and continuous efforts are deployed to preserve this unique endowment. Systematic forest management in Myanmar was first initiated in 1856 and was further consolidated into guiding principles in forest management in 1894. These principles are enshrined in the Myanmar Forest Policy of 1995.

Table 3.7 Export permit
Commodity: Teak scantlings and forest products
Ministry/Department: Ministry of Environmental Conservation and Forestry
(…)

In the case of virgin teak, however, Myanmar has announced its intention of replacing the existing export tax with an export ban, as of 1 April 2014, thereby no longer being the only country without such a ban. The ban, which is arguably more transparent than a prohibitive export tax, is considered necessary to preserve Myanmar's remaining teak forests and to develop a sustainable hardwood timber export industry.

One key objective of Myanmar's tourism policy is to focus on the long-term sustainability of tourism development, notably through responsible and community-based tourism. The policy aims at maximizing economic, social and environmental benefits and minimizing costs. Myanmar is closely working together with the donor community in implementing its tourism development strategy.

Since 2008, private companies have been allowed to participate in power generation, especially in hydropower plant projects. Private sector participation is allowed not only in generation, but also in distribution. Some 77% of total electricity is hydro-powered, followed by natural gas, which accounts for about 20%. A master plan for power production and distribution is under preparation with a view to replacing old gas turbine plants with new more efficient combined cycle plants that use the same amount of gas, but produce two to three time the amount of power.

(…) The Foreign Investment Law also contains social and environmental protection provisions.

Accordingly, the GOM (Government of Myanmar) attaches the highest priority to drawing up the necessary procedures as well as environmental and social guidelines for foreign investment in accordance with the new Foreign Investment Law (FIL) promulgated in November 2012. (…)

Under the new FIL (Foreign Investment Law), foreign investment is to be approved if it: supports the objectives of the national development plan, activities lacking money and technology, and those still not exercisable by the citizens; develops job opportunities; promotes and expands exports; produces import substitution goods; facilitates technology development; supports projects requiring large investment; encourages energy saving, and the exploration and extraction of new energy, as well as sustainable energy development (such as new bio-based energy); develops modern industry; conserves the environment; (…) and meets the short- and long-term domestic utilization of state energy resources.

The two new laws (FIL - Foreign Investment Law and CIL - Citizens' Investment Law), which were closely scrutinized by Parliament, envisage not only wide range of activities where foreign investment can involve 100% equity ownership, but also lower and non-discriminatory minimum capital requirements, tax incentives (especially tax holidays), longer leasing of real estate, and vigorous standards for environmental and social protection.

The Greater Mekong Sub-region (GMS) programme appears to have aided integration within the region. In 1992, Myanmar, together with Cambodia, Lao PDR, Thailand, Viet Nam, and Yunnan Province of China , launched a programme of sub-regional economic cooperation, to enhance economic linkages across their borders. The GMS programme covers nine priority sectors: transport, energy, telecommunications, environment, human resource development, tourism, trade, private sector investment, and agriculture. (…)