Myanmar
Note: AFD is currently reviewing its activities due to the uncertain political situation.
- Providing support for urban growth
- Anticipating and monitoring risks of epidemics
- Expanding access to electricity
- Better management of natural ressources
Providing support for urban growth
Anticipating and monitoring risks of epidemics
Expanding access to electricity
Better management of natural ressources
After half a century of isolation, Myanmar has embarked on a process of opening up. Democratisation is still underway (holding the country's second free elections at the end of 2020) in a country where living conditions remain precarious. With a per capita GDP of $1,408 in 2019, the country is still classified as an LDC and nearly 25% of the population lives below the poverty line.
However, Myanmar benefits from a strong development potential, based on abundant natural resources (minerals, fossil fuels and forests), a tourism potential to be developed and a strong regional integration since it has been part of ASEAN since 1997 and maintains close relations with its Chinese and Indian neighbours.
On the political front, many reforms have been implemented and have led to rapid economic growth (over 7% per year) and measurable improvements in social welfare. However, the Rohingya crisis in 2017 slowed down investment and the Covid-19 crisis brought the ongoing development dynamics in the country to a sudden halt with serious expected consequences on poverty levels and the state's capacity to act.
AFD started operations in Myanmar in 2012 in the areas of urban development, better management of natural resources, energy and health risks. AFD's action mainly consists of loans to the Myanmar government but also includes grants to national and regional pilot projects.