2015年-世界发展银行全球_Myanmar_Investment_Climate_Assessment___Sustaining_Reforms_in_a_Time_of_Transition_92页_9mb

Myanmar Investment Climate Assessment Summary

Core Content

This report is the first Investment Climate Assessment (ICA) conducted in Myanmar, based on the 2014 Enterprise Survey (ES) and other quantitative and qualitative data. It aims to provide an updated analysis of the investment climate to help the government and stakeholders prioritize reforms and set a baseline for future assessments. The ICA highlights key challenges in the business environment and offers recommendations to improve it.

Main Constraints for Firms

The top constraints for business operations in Myanmar, as reported by firms, include:

1. Access to finance
2. Access to land
3. Access to electricity
4. Access to skilled workers

Access to Finance

• Most firms rely on their own funds for financing, with only 1% using bank loans.
• 30% of firms have a bank account, the lowest among comparator countries.
• Structural issues in the financial sector, such as interest rate caps, maturity limits, and onerous collateral requirements, hinder access to formal financing.

Access to Land

• Land use rights are a major constraint for micro, small, and medium firms, with 2% of large firms citing it as a major issue.
• Land tenure insecurity is a significant problem, with complex, non-transparent, and uncertain rules for land use and transfer.

Access to Electricity

• Power outages are a major challenge, especially for medium and large firms.
• 95% of firms report experiencing power outages, the highest in the region.
• 80% of firms use generators to compensate for unreliable electricity supply, particularly during the dry season.
• The government is focusing on improving electricity infrastructure and promoting renewable energy.

Access to Skilled Workers

• 9% of firms cite inadequate workforce skills as the main obstacle.
• 80% of firms believe the educational system does not produce enough skilled workers.
• 75% of firms say the educational system fails to instill proper work attitudes.
• Only 10% of firms provide formal training, highlighting a need for reform in workforce development.

Direct Influence of Government Oversight

Government regulations and oversight significantly impact the business environment. Key areas include:

Firm Regulation

• Regulatory complexity varies by region, indicating a lack of standardized procedures.
• Informal payments are common, with over 40% of firms reporting such practices.
• Small firms are more likely to avoid formal registration due to fear of government interference.

Taxes

• Taxes are a major burden, especially for small businesses.
• Taxation is based on physical inspections rather than self-assessment, creating opportunities for rent-seeking.
• Reforms include moving to a self-assessment system for large taxpayers and improving tax data management.

Corruption

• Corruption levels are among the highest in the region.
• 157th in Transparency International's 2013 Corruption Perceptions Index.
• Less than one-third of firms believe the court system is fair and impartial.
• The government has introduced an Anti-Corruption Law and Anti-Corruption Commission, which should help accelerate reform.

Reform Agenda

The report outlines the following reform priorities:

1. Prioritize reform efforts to address the most pressing issues.
2. Reduce government interference and ensure equal access to the business environment for all firms.
3. Improve transparency and efficiency in land use rights and electricity supply.
4. Enhance the education system to meet the skills needs of the private sector.
5. Strengthen the regulatory framework and ensure its effective implementation.
6. Improve coordination among government agencies to streamline processes and reduce bureaucracy.

Key Recommendations

• Implementation must be emphasized over the speed of reform to avoid overburdening the government's capacity.
• A permanent dialogue mechanism, such as the Myanmar Business Forum (MBF), should be established to ensure continuous engagement between the public and private sectors.
• Land reforms should focus on making land use rights processes transparent, simple, fast, and affordable.
• Tax reforms should include self-assessment systems and computerized data management.
• Education reforms should target workplace skills and attitudes, with a focus on vocational training and curriculum alignment.
• Infrastructure development, especially in the electricity sector, is crucial for sustained economic growth.

Conclusion

The ICA underscores the need for a comprehensive and sustainable reform process to improve the investment climate in Myanmar. While the government has initiated reforms, implementation and coordination remain key challenges. The private sector is also playing an active role in shaping the reform agenda, and continued collaboration between the government and private stakeholders is essential for progress.