Myanmar (Bhurma) has captivated me for a long time and now with sanctions lifted, the government in transition, and the gates opening back up, the economic growth foreseen there will be unprecedented. A lot of people are bound to get rich if they play their cards right. The population is huge and has nowhere to go but up, natural resources are plenty, and the tourism industry potential is out of this world.
For someone with a real wild west mentality that wishes they would have gotten in on Thailand 20 or even 30 years ago, it seems like the perfect time to get over there and dig in your feet.
That said, governments and multinationals are all queued up to be first through the door - many have already pushed their way in. And while they're currently allowing 100% foreign ownership of business, I believe you need to show 150K in funds to get the ball rolling. could be wrong about these numbers so if someone is watching this closely, please chip in here.
That's not a lot of money, really, but it is for someone just starting out. Not to mention that it's a lot to needlessly put aside for a business just for the sake of doing business, and the volatility of Myanmar - the unavoidable uncertainty - makes a shoestring scenario ideal.
On top of all that, they're experiencing a real estate boom that is artificially driving rents and real estate prices far higher than is realistic. It'll pop eventually, but for a startup the rising and falling of rents could be a real issue.
Anyhow, this is my question for those of you paying attention (and especially those with boots on the ground business experience) - is there any room for the shoestring businessman in all the excitement and opportunity to come? If so, where and in what industries?
And even if actually starting a business there would be out of your reach right now, due to lack of investment funds, do you think it would be smart to just jump into a place like that while it's still relatively early, start learning the language, make contacts and look for opportunities to open up?
Obviously it's not the most livable place in the world by anyone's standards, but it would certainly present an adventure. I mean, think about it - this is akin to North Korea or Cuba suddenly being opened up (or at least one mere step down from it)...
Just have been turning things over in my head and want to know if any of you have been doing the same. Feel free to pose anything about business or work opportunities in Myanmar here.
For someone with a real wild west mentality that wishes they would have gotten in on Thailand 20 or even 30 years ago, it seems like the perfect time to get over there and dig in your feet.
That said, governments and multinationals are all queued up to be first through the door - many have already pushed their way in. And while they're currently allowing 100% foreign ownership of business, I believe you need to show 150K in funds to get the ball rolling. could be wrong about these numbers so if someone is watching this closely, please chip in here.
That's not a lot of money, really, but it is for someone just starting out. Not to mention that it's a lot to needlessly put aside for a business just for the sake of doing business, and the volatility of Myanmar - the unavoidable uncertainty - makes a shoestring scenario ideal.
On top of all that, they're experiencing a real estate boom that is artificially driving rents and real estate prices far higher than is realistic. It'll pop eventually, but for a startup the rising and falling of rents could be a real issue.
Anyhow, this is my question for those of you paying attention (and especially those with boots on the ground business experience) - is there any room for the shoestring businessman in all the excitement and opportunity to come? If so, where and in what industries?
And even if actually starting a business there would be out of your reach right now, due to lack of investment funds, do you think it would be smart to just jump into a place like that while it's still relatively early, start learning the language, make contacts and look for opportunities to open up?
Obviously it's not the most livable place in the world by anyone's standards, but it would certainly present an adventure. I mean, think about it - this is akin to North Korea or Cuba suddenly being opened up (or at least one mere step down from it)...
Just have been turning things over in my head and want to know if any of you have been doing the same. Feel free to pose anything about business or work opportunities in Myanmar here.
Beyond All Seas
"The individual has always had to struggle to keep from being overwhelmed by the tribe.
To be your own man is a hard business. If you try it, you'll be lonely often, and sometimes
frightened. But no price is too high to pay for the privilege of owning yourself." - Kipling
"The individual has always had to struggle to keep from being overwhelmed by the tribe.
To be your own man is a hard business. If you try it, you'll be lonely often, and sometimes
frightened. But no price is too high to pay for the privilege of owning yourself." - Kipling