Dr. Kan Zaw, Minister for National Planning and Economic Development said the Thilawa Special Economic Zone (SEZ) should be operational early next year. He added that Japan External Trade Organization and the Union of Myanmar Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry (UMFCCI) will jointly control the project with 49% and 51% shares respectively. “We invited international investment. This Thilawa SEZ is the product of creating an investor-friendly environment,” he said.

Hset Aung, Deputy Minister for National Planning and Economic Development noted, “There is much potential for investment in Myanmar. We expect normal levels of internal migration particularly from rural to urban areas. These labor resources for the Thilawa SEZ can be seen as an advantage for investors.”

The two zones in the Thilawa SEZ include a “free zone” and “promotion zone”. In the free zone, export-oriented industries can import raw materials and export products freely, but must pay tax on products which are for distribution in the domestic market. The promotion zone will include hospitals, an education centre residential areas, supermarkets, banks and other amenities. In the promotion zone, domestic companies can export as well as distribute locally, but must pay tax on products, raw material and equipment.

Participants in the Myanmar Real Estate Summit 2012, to be held on 18-20 November in Yangon have the option to visit to the Myanmar International Terminals, Thilawa Port, which is located within the industrial zone. Register here to attend this event, or email Ms. Grace at grace@cmtsp.com.sg for further enquiries.

Click here to read complete article.

In Myanmar, local authorities have approved land parcels in Shan State for investors to construct hotels. Media reports say that the Shan State government has approved a 622-acre plot on the eastern side of Inle Lake, a freshwater lake and the second largest lake in Myanmar. Inle zone is scheduled for development for the next 18 months.

U Aung Kyaw Mo, Secretary of Taunggyi Zone Hoteliers Association said it will depend on the regional government whether hotels are approved and how many acres they will get. There is a 60-year build, operate and transfer agreement for land leased from the Department of Forestry.

A 5,500 acre plot in Tada Oo township in Mandalay will be opened for hotel investment. U Myint Aung, Chairman of Mandalay Zone Hoteliers Association said that the regional government already approved the land. Other proposed projects are in Bagan near Tuyin Mountain, about 50 km from town.

The boom in tourism and the increasing demand for hotels and resorts have opened opportunities for foreign investors in Myanmar’s real estate sector. The Myanmar Real Estate Summit 2012 to be held on 19-20 November in Yangon is dedicated to analyzing the realistic market prospects from experienced developers. Register here to attend this summit, or contact Ms. Grace at grace@cmtsp.com.sg for more information.

View complete article here.

Local media reported that a private group of financiers have proposed a new “satellite town” outside of Mandalay, Myanmar’s second largest city.

U Khin Maung Aye, president of the country’s Cooperative Bank (CB) is spearheading this project which is to be constructed in a 22,000 acre plot of land, 8.8 kilometers from the Mandalay International Airport. Among the facilities and construction projects reported to be featured in the development are waterfront housing, a hotel zone, a retail area, riverside recreation areas, an industrial zone, warehouse areas, a trading centre and education facilities. Senior management of the company announced that although 3,000 prospective shareholders have signalled interest in the project, CB is currently looking for financial backers.

Khin Maung Aye met the members of the Mandalay government to pitch the project last June. News of this mega-project has sent property prices in the area soaring.

Recent updates on Myanmar’s property development sector will be available at Myanmar Real Estate Summit 2012, where U. Win Zaw, Director for Urban & Regional Planning Division, Dept of Human Settlement & Housing Development (DHSHD), Ministry of Construction will elaborate on “Urban Development Plan for Yangon”, covering aspects such as sourcing land: guidelines andprotocols, heritage building preservation, emerging of new economic zones: Thilawa, Thanlyin, Dala. The summit is to be held on19-20 November 2012 in Yangon. Register here now or contact Ms. Grace at grace@cmtsp.com.sg for further details.

Read complete article here.

Driven by its objective to enter frontier markets, London-based global alternatives investment firm Cube Capital recently launched the Cube Asia Frontier Fund (CAFF), which will invest in inefficient frontier markets where the economic environment offers opportunities for distressed investments, business development and financial growth. CAFF was launched in Myanmar, Vietnam, and Mongolia, based on the huge market potential for growth which opened up due to liberalisation, political changes, lack of fully developed markets and favourable regional demographics. CAFF will be providing investors with a diversified multi-country exposure so as to take advantage of the economic climate as well as steer clear of traditional problems linked to single country frontier funds.

During the launch, Chief Investment Officer of CAFF, Tom Holland said, “Our philosophy is to seek uncrowded investment opportunities, and we are confident that exploiting these still insufficiently explored markets will generate attractive returns. It will also make us one of the first entrants into nascent real estate investment markets such as Myanmar. We are looking forward to soon closing one of our first deals.” He also announced that Cube Capital will be working in partnership with local companies in each of the countries it is targeting. Until recently, this has been one of the few ways western investors could access Myanmar. In Myanmar, the company will be working with Serge Pun and Associates (SPA), an arm of Singapore-listed Yoma Strategic Holdings (YOMAR).

Cube Capital will be participating and contributing a session at the Myanmar Real Estate Summit 2012 on 19-20 November. The summit in Yangon will furnish first-hand information on Myanmar’s real estate and property investment scene.  Watch this space for further updates on conference details. Those who wish to indicate interest in the event may Pre-Register here. Enquiries regarding the conference may be directed to Ms. Grace at grace@cmtsp.com.sg

Source: Invezz.com