Myanmar's revival

EMERGING MARKETS

Myanmar has long been considered a human-rights pariah. But Ryan Smith, head of corporate governance and SRI at Kames Capital, says things are changing as reforms open the country to investors.

Prior to a military coup in 1962, Myanmar was the richest country in Asia. Today, it is the poorest country in the region, with around one-third of its 53 million population living in poverty. In the intervening period, the military government presided over economic malaise, endemic corruption and rural poverty. While its neighbours flourished economically, Myanmar withered. Fortunately, this desperate period in Myanmar’s history appears to be ending with the formation of a (more) civilian government in 2011. Democratic elections have also been set for 2015. The country is treading...