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. 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
•  - Financing trade and investment in Burma/Myanmar
•  - Finding business opportunities and partners
•  - Business practices and risk management
•  - Legal issues, including the Foreign Investment Law

During the afternoon workshops, delegates will hear about the significant opportunities that exist in the following sectors:

•  - Workshop A: Oil & Gas and Mining & extractive industries
•  - Workshop B: Power and Infrastructure
•  - Workshop C: Telecoms and Tourism
•  - Workshop D: Forestry and Capacity building, education & training

Keynote Speaker:

Lord Davies, Chairman, UK-ASEAN Business Council Advisory Panel

Panelists: 

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
DrMarie Lall, Reader in Education and South Asian Studies, IoE, University of London
Anthony Nightingale, Director, Jardine Matheson
Alex Simm, Director, InterCultures
John Saville, Director for Asia, UKTI
Amrit Singh,Managing Director,TransIndus
Michael Whitehouse, Partner, Wragge & Co LLP
Keith Win,Chief Executive, Myanmar-Britain Business Association
Speaker to be announced, Allen & Overy LLP

Want to learn more about Burma? Read our article Aung San Suu Kyi heralds a new path for UK-Burma Relations