There is something about this city; a palpable energy of a place that’s on the cusp of something big. I can’t place my finger on it. I don’t understand how this city is how it is, given the country’s political troubles, slowdown in reforms to open up the economy, many business-unfriendly regulations still in place, a large population spread across a vast expanse of land and high poverty, and an export basket that is still heavily reliant on natural gas. But there’s something about here that arouses one’s curiosity…

The economy is set to grow at 6.2% this year, rapid for the region but slower than the growth rate last year of 6.8%. Political troubles over the Rakhine region among other issues might trigger a withdrawal by the EU of the GSP trade concessions it has granted. Yet, China is investing heavily here under its Belt and Road Initiative, the country has a new Company Law, and telecoms, banking and wholesale and retail trade have been opened up. And last year the Government launched a laudable Myanmar Sustainable Development Plan as it’s guiding policy framework. With more reforms in the offing and plenty of green Field opportunities for investors, Myanmar appears poised for a take-off, albeit with the usual growing pains that most countries at its level of socio-economic and political maturity go through…