Myanmar - သီလဝါ သတ္တဝါ ဂျပန်အထူး ဇုန်တုန်
Thilawa Special Economic Zone – located on the outskirts of Yangon – is the first Special Economic Zone (SEZ) built in Myanmar. It had become fully operational in 2015. Inside Thilawa SEZ, both the hard and soft infrastructure – from roads and utilities to supporting services such as maintenance – have been developed to the international standards. It is located at around 20 km South-East of Yangon. This is the biggest commercial city of Myanmar and very close to the Thilawa container port.
Currently the SEZ has over 110 investors from a wide range of countries and will expand further over the coming years.
Military coup
The aftermath of the 2021 military coup in Myanmar has left indelible wounds on the nation’s economy. Nearly half of the population grapples with poverty, and years of developmental strides have been obliterated. The landscape of recovery appears grim, marred by weak consumer demand, stringent currency controls, international sanctions, and an intensifying conflict. In this stark scenario, the garment industry emerges as a faint beacon of optimism, albeit entwined with the exploitation of labor and unsustainable practices. As public services falter and humanitarian needs soar, Myanmar’s destiny teeters on the precipice. The regime, besieged by mounting pressure, faces a critical juncture. The nation’s trajectory hinges on a pivotal shift towards a federal democracy, signaling an end to the grip of military rule.
In February 2024, to address the Tatmadaw’s personnel issues, Min Aung Hlaing activated Myanmar’s 1959 conscription law for the first time, with plans to draft 60,000 young men and women. Men aged 18–35 and women aged 18–27 will be required to serve up to five years under the state of emergency, or face five years imprisonment. This is leading to a further exodus from the country and will further depress the economy and investment.
Additional Details for Thilawa Special Economic Zone
- Tenants: Fujiwork Myanmar, Myanmar Wacoal Co.,Ltd., Ball Asia Pacific (Yangon) Metal Container Limited, Matsunaga (Myanmar)Co.,Ltd.
- Wastewater treatment: Ability 35 Cu m /Day‐ Biological Treatment + Flocculation ‐ Pond Capacity 300m3 × 3