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IMF applauds Myanmar reforms, urges more, quickly
The International Monetary Fund on Wednesday published its analysis of Myanmar for the first time since 1999, applauding recent reforms but stressing the need to move further to stabilize the economy.
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| A Myanmar labourer renovates a building in downtown Yangon |
It said Myanmar's economy, coming out a long period of stifled activity under an autocratic military regime, would grow about 5.5 percent this fiscal year, ending in March, and 6.0 percent the next.
But it said reforming the "complex" exchange rate system is a top priority, and that will need to come with other broad adjustments and management reforms to maintain macroeconomic stability.
"The new government is facing a historic opportunity to jump-start the development process and lift living standards," the head of the IMF mission to Myanmar said in a statement.
Long a pariah in Western eyes, the country formerly call Burma has taken strides toward democracy since a nominally civilian government took over last March from a military junta year that had ruled the country for half a century.
"Myanmar has a high growth potential and could become the next economic frontier in Asia," said IMF mission chief Meral Karasulu, whose team conducted an evaluation of the economy earlier in the month.
"If it can turn its rich natural resources, young labor force, and proximity to some of the most dynamic economies in the world, into its advantage," she said.
The IMF in particular called on the authorities to step up reforms to enhance the business and investment climate, modernize the financial sector, and further liberalize trade and foreign direct investment.
It stressed the need for a sweeping change in foreign exchange and currency management as the country opens up.
It said the rapid appreciation of the kyat currency is "primarily due to large foreign inflows into the economy, which cannot find an outlet due to exchange restrictions on current international payments and transfers."
AFP
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