Following the suspension of sanctions by the EU and the easing of sanctions in the US, there are clear signs that Burma/Myanmar is re-entering the international business community.
To make the most of this opportunity, British companies need to have a good understanding of the business, economic and political situation in Burma/Myanmar. Planning your market entry in a comprehensive manner is the key to success in a country that is undergoing radical and rapid reform.
To meet this need, City & Financial, with the support of UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) and the UK-ASEAN Business Council, is organising The New Burma/Myanmar Investment and Trade Summit in Central London on 27th September 2012. The Myanmar-Britain Business Association is also supporting the event.
The Summit has been tailored to provide delegates with practical information about doing business in Burma/Myanmar. It will also offer a platform for networking with other UK companies that are likely to be at the forefront in tendering for major contracts.
Among the topics that will be covered by the faculty of expert speakers are the following:
- The current political and economic situation
- Sanctions – where are we now?
- Practical experience of exporting to Burma/Myanmar
- Key factors involved in carrying out a market assessment
- Finding business opportunities and partners
- Legal issues, including the Foreign Investment Law
Also, during the afternoon workshops delegates will hear about the significant opportunities that exist in the following sectors:
- Oil & Gas
- Mining and extractive industries
- Power
- Infrastructure
- Tourism
- Capacity building, education & training
What they're saying:
The International Monetary Fund recently called Burma the "next economic frontier in Asia".
Rajen Nair, the regional head for JCB, Britain's largest construction equipment manufacturer, told The Irrawaddy newspaper: "I think Burma has very good potential for growth in the coming years."
High-profile commodities investor Jim Rogers said in a recent interview that Myanmar/Burma was "probably the best investment opportunity in the world right now", comparing it to China when it opened up in 1978.
Zain Latif, head of private equity firm TLG. "There is a lot of infrastructure required, particularly in tourism." TLG is planning to set up a company operating cruises on the Upper Irrawaddy river, via a similar company in Cambodia in which it invests.
Keynote Address
Lord Davies, Chairman, UK-ASEAN Business Council Advisory Panel
Speakers
Jonathan Asherson, Regional Director, South East Asia, Rolls Royce
Philip Bouverat, Director, JCB
Stephen Curtis, Sales Director, Cussons Technology
Sir Thomas Harris, Vice Chairman Asia, Standard Chartered Bank
Hazel Hector, Head of Trade and Investment, British Embassy, Myanmar
Dr Marie Lall, Reader in Education and South Asian Studies, IoE, University of London
Maryann Maguire, Director, InterCultures
John Murton, Head of East Asia and Pacific Department, Foreign and Commonwealth Office
Anthony Nightingale, Director, Jardine Matheson
Amrit Singh, Managing Director, TransIndus
Peter Watson, Partner, Allen & Overy LLP
Michael Whitehouse, Partner, Wragge & Co
Keith Win, Chief Executive, Myanmar-Britain Business Association
08:15 Coffee and registration
08:55 Chairman’s introduction and overview
John Murton, Head of East Asia and Pacific Department, Foreign and Commonwealth Office
09:00 Keynote address I
H.E.U Soe Thein, Industry Minister, Myanmar Government (invited)
09:20 Keynote address II
Lord Davies, Chairman, UK-ASEAN Business Council Advisory Panel
A GUIDE FOR INVESTORS AND EXPORTERS – WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
09:40 Panel discussion on the current political and economic situation
Lord Davies, Chairman, UK-ASEAN Business Council Advisory Panel
Hazel Hector, Head of Trade and Investment, British Embassy, Myanmar
John Murton, Head of East Asia and Pacific Department, Foreign and Commonwealth Office
Keith Win, Chief Executive, Myanmar-Britain Business Association
Sir Thomas Harris, Vice Chairman Asia, Standard Chartered Bank
Philip Bouverat, Director, JCB
10:40 Sanctions – where are we now?
Peter Watson, Partner, Allen & Overy LLP
11:05 Morning coffee
BUSINESS AND INVESTMENT ENVIRONMENT
11:25 Practical experience of exporting to Myanmar
Stephen Curtis, Sales Director, Cussons Technology
11:50 Investment challenges and opportunities
Anthony Nightingale, Director, Jardine Matheson
12:15 Responsible business
John Morrison, Executive Director, The Institute for Human Rights and Business
12:40 Legal issues, including the Foreign Investment Law
Michael Whitehouse, Partner, Wragge & Co LLP
13:05 Networking lunch
14:15 Afternoon workshops – presentations on opportunities by sector
OPPORTUNITIES BY SECTOR
Afternoon chairman
Keith Win, Chief Executive, Myanmar-Britain Business Association
14:15 Infrastructure
Speakers to be announced
14:45 Oil & Gas & extractive industries
Keith Win, Chief Executive, Myanmar-Britain Business Association
15:05 Tourism
Amrit Singh, Managing Director, TransIndus
15:25 Capacity building, education & training
Dr Marie Lall, Reader in Education and South Asian Studies, IoE, University of London
15:45 Panel discussion and Q&A
Above speakers and Jonathan Asherson, Regional Director SE Asia, Australia/NZ, Rolls Royce
16:10 Close of summit proceedings followed by afternoon tea
Wragge & Co
We offer a partner-led service backed up by the strength and support of an international network of people - each delivering first-class legal advice. This is why our people are trusted advisers to multi-national businesses, financial institutions and government departments. The vast majority of the work we do is for international clients or for clients based in the UK with multi-jurisdictional operations. We work directly in most of the world's leading jurisdictions, including Australia, the US, Germany, Japan, and Canada. From our offices in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Guangzhou, Munich, and Paris, we offer clients fast, cost-effective results. Whether advising on domestic issues, or offering global solutions, clients get the same seamless service. Our network is “live” and standing alongside clients; colleagues or best friend international contacts we liaise regularly regarding new legal developments in the UK and other jurisdictions and have joint training on areas of mutual interest. We all have one goal - excellent advice and service. Its one of the reasons that the Financial Times have ranked us for the last 10 years in the Top 50 best Workplaces and last year ranked us 15th in the Innovative Lawyers report of the top 50 innovative law firms.
Our ambition at Allen & Overy is to help the world’s leading businesses both maximise the opportunities that globalisation presents, and meet its potential challenges. As our clients have sought new markets, so have we. We are continuing to invest in a growing network of international offices that covers Europe, Asia Pacific, the Middle East, the Americas and most recently Africa. The firm is due to open two offices in Vietnam in the third quarter of 2012, the addition of Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City will take A&O's international network to 42 offices in 29 countries – the largest global footprint among the leading global law firms.
But our presence is only half of the story. Our 5,000 staff work together in a highly integrated manner to leverage their expertise and experience for our clients’ benefit. We foster creative, independent thinking within a collaborative culture and as a result, our lawyers are involved in many of the most influential commercial ventures, and are known for providing our clients with transformative solutions to the toughest legal challenges. This, above all, explains why Allen & Overy remains a leader in its field.
The Jardine Matheson Group.jpg)
Founded as a trading company in China in 1832, Jardine Matheson is today a diversified business group focused principally on Asia. Its businesses comprise a combination of cash generating activities and long-term property assets. The Group’s interests include Jardine Pacific, Jardine Motors, Jardine Lloyd Thompson, Hongkong Land, Dairy Farm, Mandarin Oriental, Jardine Cycle & Carriage and Astra International. These companies are leaders in the fields of engineering and construction, transport services, insurance broking, property investment and development, retailing, restaurants, luxury hotels, motor vehicles and related activities, financial services, heavy equipment, mining and agribusiness. Jardine Matheson Holdings Limited is incorporated in Bermuda and has a premium listing on the London Stock Exchange, with secondary listings in Bermuda and Singapore. Jardine Matheson Limited operates from Hong Kong and provides management services to Group companies.
Asia House
The top ten largest economies in the world include Asian countries such as China, Japan, India and Russia, with China ranking as the second largest. The diversity of the pan-Asian region presents fascinating opportunities and challenges for commercial development and building cultural ties. Asia House exists to build dynamic links with Asia. Through activities focused on culture, policy and business, Asia House encourages the development of informed understanding, to build stronger relationships between the diverse communities of Europe and Asia. We are a non-profit, non-political organisation. The Asia House Business and Policy Programme is a forum for discussion on pan-Asian growth trends, for our network of 50+member organisations, comprised of some of the UK’s most respected companies. Asia House maintains strong relationships with trade councils, think tanks, universities, foundations, government institutions and Asian embassies in London to deliver the highest quality opportunities. www.asiahouse.org
British Expertise is the leading UK private sector organisation for British companies offering professional services internationally. Our member companies range from large general consultancies to specialist individuals.
British Expertise introduces members to key British and international contacts; we identify potential partners and clients, and offer market intelligence and training. Our events in London and our missions to overseas markets offer excellent networking. British Expertise is listened to by the British Government, the international financing institutions and others when we make representations in our members’ interests. We have a reputation for responsive, professional and highly efficient services to members.
Like others, we are keen to see Myanmar consolidate the steps it has taken towards democracy. We are also keen to see what contribution our member companies can make to improving the infrastructure and development of Myanmar, to the benefit of trade and the prosperity of its people.
The Myanmar Britain Business Association (“MBBA”) was established in 1995 by Keith Win, a Chartered Accountant with Burmese and English heritage. Our co-founder was Peter Godwin (deceased) a banker and advisor to the then DTI. The aims of the Association are: to promote commercial dialogue between Myanmar and Britain and to assist members in the promotion of trade, industry, investment and economic relations between the two countries. It is also a forum and networking opportunity for British businesses to get to know each other as well as Myanmar counterparts and other members to identify opportunities for projects, bids and joint ventures. To promote British know-how, technology, services and industries. To compile news, information and statistics on trade in general, on industrial affairs and on legal and financial matters worthy of interest, for distribution to members. One achievement by the MBBA was to be accorded the opportunity by the Myanmar Government to meet with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi in November 1998 (when she was under house arrest) in an attempt to bridge the gap between the two sides. www.mbba.co.uk
The International Project Finance Association (IPFA) is a not-for-profit, networking, trade association dedicated to promoting and representing the interests of both public and private sector organisations involved in project finance worldwide. It has, as its members, key financial institutions and project sponsors, law firms, construction companies and operators active in the PPP and project finance market globally.
Our aim is to raise awareness and understanding about project finance and PPPs and their crucial role in infrastructure and economic development. The Principle objectives of the IPFA are to encourage networking and dialogue between the public and private sector, to provide up to date information on best practice, industry trends and new developments.
Successfully achieving these objectives since its inception in 1998 has created a truly integrated working relationship between the IPFA and the private and public sector, both at local level and on a global scale.
For further information on IPFA and our activities around the world, visit our website www.ipfa.org.
Standard Delegate Fee
Larger Companies, Financial Institutions and Professional Services Firms
SME Discounted Delegate Fee
Companies with less than 250 employees or belonging to a group with less than 250 employees
£495.00
$777.00
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