Has subseries: Silvicultural, Economic, Zoological, Entomological, Miscellaneous, Botanical, and Ecology.

Reprint of the original, first published in 1869.

The “Golden Land”, officially known as the Republic of the Union of Myanmar and formerly as Burma, has undergone dramatic reforms in recent years under the administration of President U Thein Sein. The rapid transition from a military junta to an open economy has surprised the global community and will see Myanmar assume the ASEAN chair for the first time in 2014. Known as the ‘last frontier market’ Myanmar is rich in natural resources and has an established extractive industries sector, with one of the world’s oldest continuously producing oil fields. The country also enjoys significant mineral resources which remain greatly under explored by international mining firms - something the government is proactively trying to change. The easing of economic sanctions has accelerated the nation’s economic growth, but Myanmar still faces political challenges, including ongoing ethnic conflict and religious tensions. However, with greater access to international markets and a growing number of business opportunities, investors are cautiously optimistic about the country’s future.

The country’s location within the region and population of more than 50m will help it achieve growth, with international analysts predicting Myanmar’s economy to be worth up to $200bn by 2030. With elections set to take place in late 2015, the world is eagerly watching to see how things will unfold. After spending decades as one of the most isolated and least-developed countries in Asia, Myanmar is emerging as one of the world’s fastest-growing economies. Agriculture, manufacturing and mining are some of Myanmar’s top contributors to GDP, which was forecast to reach 8.5% in FY2014/15 and FY2015/16. While foreign investment is accelerating, there are ways in which it remains blocked. As the country continues to reintegrate with the global economy, continued reforms as well as the opening of more economic sectors to foreign investors will help unlock the country’s potential.

Bangkok, Thailand, June 25, 2014 – The market study by Rubicon Strategy Group provides an extensive market overview based on on-the-ground surveys and interviews with business leaders, consumers and customers (pharmacies, drugstores, hospitals and doctors). Part of Rubicon's ‘Asia Market Series’, it is the first publication that uncovers the opportunities for healthcare companies to expand to Myanmar. The country opening up and the ASEAN Economic Community becoming reality in 2015 are expected to spur growth for healthcare companies and Market Expansion Services providers in Myanmar. According to Rubicon’s study, consumer spending on over-the-counter healthcare products is anticipated to grow three-to-four-times in size, from about USD 140 million in 2013 to USD 480 million by 2020. The research further shows that the medical devices market in Myanmar is anticipated to grow threefold by 2020. Meanwhile, eight out of ten ofMyanmar’s consumers are willing to spend more on healthcare products and services if they have access to better options. The strong overall market growth is partly driven by the vast increase in government spending on pharmaceuticals and medical devices. Specialty products, in particular cardiovascular, diabetes and oncology products are expected to experience high growth rates for the next years. Challenges to enter the Myanmar healthcare market however remain. Comparing the healthcare systems worldwide, Myanmar was recently ranked 190th and last by the World Health Organization (WHO). Rubicon’s study confirms that collaborating with a local distribution partner is the only viable means of efficiently accessing the market in Myanmar. This is due to Myanmar’s opaque regulatory environment, the abundance of counterfeit products, complex channels to market and the extremely fragmented point of sale network. Dr. Varun Sethi, DKSH's General Manager, Business Unit Healthcare in Myanmar, said: “With the opening of Asia’s economy, Myanmar offers great potential for healthcare companies. Companies intending to expand in Myanmar should look for an experienced partner with the knowledge and connections to reach a broad range of channels and consumers. With our 15 years of experience in Myanmar and almost 150 years in Asia, DKSH is well-positioned to help companies explore the opportunities in Myanmar.” The study results are captured in the 115-page Myanmar healthcare report, which provides an extensive market overview and insights for healthcare companies exploring opportunities in the country. The full report is available online on Health Intel Asia. About Rubicon Strategy Group Rubicon Strategy Group is a boutique consulting firm specialized in market access work for emerging economies in the healthcare, biotech and senior care industries. Rubicon has a focus on China and has completed research and market access projects in the pharmaceutical, private hospital, senior housing and home healthcare sectors in China. About DKSH DKSH is the leading Market Expansion Services provider with a focus on Asia. As the term "Market Expansion Services" suggests, DKSH helps other companies and brands to grow their business in new or existing markets. Publicly listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange since March 2012, DKSH is a global company headquartered in Zurich. With 735 business locations in 35 countries – 710 of them in Asia – and 26,700 specialized staff, DKSH generated net sales of CHF 9.6 billion in 2013. DKSH Business Unit Healthcare is the leading Market Expansion Services provider for healthcare companies seeking to grow their business in Asia. Custom-made offerings comprise registration and market entry studies as well as importation, customs clearance, marketing and sales to physical distribution, invoicing and cash collection. Products available through DKSH Healthcare include ethical pharmaceuticals, consumer health, over-the-counter (OTC), as well as medical devices. With 150 business locations in 14 countries and around 9,050 specialized staff, Business Unit Healthcare serves over 160,000 customers and generated net sales of around CHF 4.3 billion in 2013.

While major strides need to be taken to promote inclusive growth, critical developments across the country’s economy continue to heighten investor appetite. This was given a significant boost with the victory of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy (NLD) over the ruling Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) in the November 2015 national elections. The NLD is expected to build upon efforts taken by outgoing President U Thein Sein to improve transparency, promote peace and increase spending on health and education, which have to some degree alleviated the strain left behind by decades of military rule. With the incoming NLD administration expected to prioritise inclusive growth, the outlook for all segments of Myanmar’s population is looking significantly more positive.