The ‘Virtuous Circle’ of Carrot & Stick Sanctions

Relaxing sanctions slowly and only in response to concrete reforms is the way forward for Burma, argue some observers, as others say they should be lifted as soon as possible.

Pro-democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi has fallen ill while campaigning for Burma's April 1 by-elections and has suspended her extensive tour of the country.

“Slave labor” to relocate from Thailand to Burma; new offshore Shwe gas find; Indonesian firm eyes Burmese cement factory; UK wants action on forced labor before lifting sanctions; and Dawei port “going ahead.”

The resolution of a decades-old maritime territorial dispute with Bangladesh leaves Burma with the consolation prize of “legal certainty,” which could help attract investors.

Mon port plan faces hurdles; HK firm signs oil deal with MOGE; Malaysians urged to invest in Burma; US government offers Burma business advice; Canadians should hop on Burma bandwagon: paper

A managed flotation of the kyat will be a step in the right direction but not enough to restore Burma's economy to health, say experts.

Burmese government prepares to navigate its greatest economic reform yet of reunifying the kyat and abolishing years of absurd official valuation of the currency.

Foreign ministers' visits indicate sanctions re-think, UN urged to resume Burmese trade, Thai-based firms may relocate west, trade restrictions “handed Burma to China” and General Electric sales plan deemed lawful.

Burma will be the focus of the China-Asean Trade Expo in Nanning this coming September, the vice-governor of the hosting region Guangxi says.

Plans for a US $50 billion oil port and industrial complex on Burma’s southeast coast at Dawei (Tavoy) are looking more uncertain after Thailand discusses domestic options.