Myanmar: The Key to Jumpstarting Myanmar’s Economy: Electricity

Aug 11, 2016 | Peter Loftus, Diplomat
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It’s no secret that the National League for Democracy (NLD) faces myriad challenges in improving Myanmar’s socioeconomic situation. In fact, its biggest challenge might be deciding which issues to address first. Led by Nobel Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi, the NLD has made the peace process, which is aimed at ending decades of strife between the military and Ethnic Armed Groups (EAGs), a priority for the government. Other challenges include how to resolve the religious strife in Rakhine State, finding a way forward with the Myitsone Dam project, and possibly most importantly, how to light a spark under the economy. Jobs and the economy affect all citizens of Myanmar, from the dense forests of northern Kachin State all the way down to the tropical beaches of southern Thaninthayi Region. Foreign investment in the economy is crucial to capitalizing on Myanmar’s immense promise. It has cheap labor, abundant natural resources, and a vast potential for energy generation. One major factor that it currently lacks, which is crucial for foreign investment and economic development, is a comprehensive and reliable national electrical grid.