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Myanmar

Map of Armed conflict zones in Myanmar (Burma) since 1995.

Private Sector

News

Myanmar deemed rising Doing Business star, but at what cost?

World Bank praises Myanmar for improvement in Doing Business ranking, ignoring the implications of proposed reforms on country’s complex conflict dynamics.

7 April 2020

Environment

News

As climate crisis bites, World Bank further distances itself from coal

International Finance Corporation announced new ‘green equity’ policy to encourage financial intermediaries to divest from coal, while Bank pulled plug on mooted Kosovo coal project.

6 December 2018

IFI governance

Commentary

The IMF and World Bank: Aiding and abetting inequality in Asia

As inequality in Asia continues to deepen, civil society renews calls for IMF and World Bank to be held accountable for exacerbating inequality.

28 September 2018 | Guest comment

Rights

Analysis

Conflict-affected states, IFC’s final frontier

The IFC is set to expand operations in fragile and conflict-affected states such as Burma, despite indications that systemic problems identified in Honduras persist.

29 September 2014

Private Sector

News

“Affordable hotels”: IFC’s luxury development projects

IFC investments in Burma hotels have been criticised for weak poverty reduction impact. IFC claims that investment in luxury hotels in India will provide “affordable hotels”.

29 September 2014

Social services

News

World Bank’s Burma spending spree

The World Bank has announced big spending programmes in health, electricity and telecoms in Burma, however, critics point to its failure to protect human rights or consult properly with civil society.

27 February 2014

Private Sector

News

Shopping mall Shangri-La: IFC’s lending for luxury

IFC investments in luxury hotels and shopping malls highlight projects with weak development outcomes.

27 February 2014

Infrastructure

News

World Bank infrastucture support: "finance as extraction"

While India is pushing for the World Bank’s Global Infrastructure Facility, the US voted against IFC support for a Saudi Arabian corporation linked to coal power and an Inspection Panel case was registered for a Nepal power transmission project. Concerns were also raised on infrastructure projects in India, Nepal and Burma.

23 January 2014
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Other news

Rights

News

Myanmar civil society calls for solidarity from international financial institutions

Civil society letter condemns World Bank statements as ‘weak’.

23 March 2021

IFI governance

Background

From interim strategy to full country partnership: lessons from Myanmar

Notes of a meeting on Myanmar's transition to full country partnership at the World Bank/IMF annual meetings 2014

10 October 2014

IFI governance

Background

An overview of the World Bank Group's new country engagement model

Sponsor:  WBG (Operations Policy and Country Services Department) Panelists:  Edward Mountfield (Manager, OPCS), John L.…

12 April 2014

Accountability

News

World Bank returns to Burma amid criticism

After leaving over suspended debt repayment in the late 1980s, the Bank officially returned to Burma, also known as Myanmar, in early August.

2 October 2012

Accountability

Background

IFI re-engagement in Burma

Minutes of Burma and IFIs meeting, Washington DC, 18 April 2012

3 August 2012 | Minutes

Accountability

News

IFIs must "engage with the Burmese people"

Civil society groups from Burma have written to the heads of the IMF and World Bank requesting that the IFIs involve grass roots actors in their newly revived activities in Burma and that their operational policies "guarantee maximum transparency, accountability, social inclusiveness and safeguards".

5 April 2012
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