Shadows across the golden land : Myanmar's opening, foreign influence and investment

What are the political and economic challenges facing Myanmar as it opens to the world? And what are the opportunities and responsibilities for the international community to influence and also invest in the country? This book aims to provide readers with an assessment that integrates analysis with on-the-ground experience and insights, drawn from closely engaging with Myanmar since the country began to move towards democracy and open to the world. In order for readers to appreciate emerging trends and developments, the book evaluates the efforts of the recent Thein Sein administration and current National League of Democracy government up to the present day. It also identifies key events from the colonial period through to the decades when the country was under military rule, cut off from much of the international community. The on-going crisis in Myanmar's Rakhine State and the controversial situation of the Rohingya are examined at length, with an effort to contextualise these events in wider challenges of geopolitics and national reforms to rehabilitate the government and the economy. The book presents readers with a clear view of how the country might progress beyond current obstacles, and highlights the opportunities that remain for those willing to engage constructively for the longer term in the opening of this frontier economy and once-pariah state. As Myanmar moves ahead with its transition to democracy and with economic development, this book is recommended for both those who watch the country with interest and those who consider the ways in which the international community interacts with the region and Myanmar. Myanmar watchers and those with a casual interest in the region. "What are the political and economic challenges facing Myanmar as it opens to the world? And what are the opportunities and responsibilities for the international community to influence and also invest in the country? This book aims to provide readers with an assessment that integrates analysis with on-the-ground experience and insights, drawn from closely engaging with Myanmar since the country began to move towards democracy and open to the world. In order for readers to appreciate emerging trends and developments, the book evaluates the efforts of the recent Thein Sein administration and current National League of Democracy government up to the present day. It also identifies key events from the colonial period through to the decades when the country was under military rule, cut off from much of the international community. The on-going crisis in Myanmar's Rakhine State and the controversial situation of the Rohingya are examined at length, with an effort to contextualise these events in wider challenges of geopolitics and national reforms to rehabilitate the government and the economy. The book presents readers with a clear view of how the country might progress beyond current obstacles, and highlights the opportunities that remain for those willing to engage constructively for the longer term in the opening of this frontier economy and once-pariah state. As Myanmar moves ahead with its transition to democracy and with economic development, this book is recommended for both those who watch the country with interest and those who consider the ways in which the international community interacts with the region and Myanmar"--Publisher's website This Book Aims To Provide Readers With An Assessment That Integrates Analysis With On-the-ground Experience And Insights, Drawn From Closely Engaging With Myanmar Since The Country Began To Move Toward Democracy And Open To The World. In Order For Readers To Appreciate Emerging Trends And Developments, The Book Evaluates The Efforts Of The Recent Thein Sein Administration And Current National League Of Democracy Government Up To The Present Day. It Also Identifies Key Events From The Colonial Period Through To The Decades When The Country Was Under Military Rule, Cut Off From Much Of The International Community. The On-going Crisis In Myanmar's Rakhine State And The Controversial Situation Of The Rohingya Are Examined At Length, With An Effort To Contextualize These Events In Wider Challenges Of Geo-politics And National Reforms To Rehabilitate The Government And The Economy.-- Myanmar And The World -- From Cox's Bazar To The Western Capitals -- From Pariah To Frontier Economy (1990-2015) -- Democracy's Victory And The Uncertainties Of Governing -- Economic Reform: Finding Direction, Moving Forward -- Shifting Images Of The Golden Land -- The Simple And Complex Rohingya Crisis -- Geopolitics And The Rohingya: Managing The Unsolved -- Beyond A Hollywood Ending. Simon S.c. Tay, Singapore Institute Of International Affairs. Singapore. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. "This book aims to provide readers with an assessment that integrates analysis with on-the-ground experience and insights, drawn from closely engaging with Myanmar since the country began to move toward democracy and open to the world. In order for readers to appreciate emerging trends and developments, the book evaluates the efforts of the recent Thein Sein administration and current National League of Democracy government up to the present day. It also identifies key events from the colonial period through to the decades when the country was under military rule, cut off from much of the international community. The on-going crisis in Myanmar's Rakhine State and the controversial situation of the Rohingya are examined at length, with an effort to contextualize these events in wider challenges of geo-politics and national reforms to rehabilitate the government and the economy."-- Provided by publisher