Transformation in Burma/Myanmar: Economic, Social and Spatial Changes Convenors: Dr. Michal Lubina, (Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland) and Dr. Marion Sabrie, (Center for Southeast Asian Studies, Paris, France) Since the 2011 reforms, widespread positive (and not so positive) changes are taking place in Myanmar. The rapid transformation and fragile shift from the political dominance of the military has brought consequences of an unprecedented magnitude. What is more, the shift continues. The international community, international organizations and foreign investors are eager to reengage in projects with Myanmar and a new social dynamism is being established through deeper engagement with globalization. The political reforms implemented over the last several years have triggered changes in all parts of the country; it is not clear, however, how these changes will impact on diverse social groups and across the national space. In out panel we want to take a top to down perspective on transformation in Myanmar. By confronting various perspectives from researchers in diverse fields and from different countries, we want to discuss Myanmar's transformation from various angles outer (theoretical, analytical) and inner (from the point of view of their inhabitants) and try to compare it to see the wider picture. Firstly, we will analyze economic reforms and socio-economic transformation in Myanmar from two economic points of view: of modes of transformation and of the role of foreign trade and investment. Then we will compare it with two case studies on the ground one from country s centre (Yangon and its metamorphoses in the economic transition) and another one from Myanmar s periphery (Karen State and its health care). Finally we will analyze how foreign-backed transformation policy from a country with long ties with Burma and similar transformation experiences is being implemented in Burma/Myanmar and how it fits with local conditions. This will help us to answer some questions how reforms in the country are working on the ground? How the economic changes are being transferable to society s everyday life? How Myanmar s (re)integration leads to emergence of new civil societies? What is development/humanitarian assistance and how these are understood in Myanmar? How environmental and human welfare are implicated by reform process? Is transformation experience really transferable? Our papers come from diverse disciplines and perspectives on the economic, environmental, social, spatial and political aspects of the transformations evolving in Myanmar. This diversity helps to look at Myanmar s transformation from various points of view. Our first aim through this session is to stimulate exchanges amongst researchers with an interest in Myanmar. Our second aim is to enhance knowledge and understanding of the changes that are taking place, their likely consequences and their impacts on the diverse groups within Myanmar. Our third
aim is to develop a research network of individuals with a focus on Myanmar in order to facilitate further exchanges and potential research collaborations. Panel Chair: Dr. Michal Lubina, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland Papers authors: 1. Between shock therapy and gradual approach: the Dilemma of Myanmar s Economic Transformation Dr. Michal Lubina, (Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland) and Dr. Andrzej Bolesta, (Individual Researcher, Bangkok) 2. The role of foreign trade and investment in transition the case of Myanmar Dr. Ágnes Orosz, and Dr. Ágnes Szunomár, (Hungarian Academy of Science, Budapest, Hungary) 3. Yangon City metamorphoses since 2010: toward a possible sustainable development? Dr. Marion Sabrie, (Center for Southeast Asian Studies, Paris, France) 4. From Humanitarianism to Development? Health Care and The Shifting Perceptions of Eastern Myanmar s Borderlands. Christiane Voßemer, Department of Development Studies, (University of Vienna, Austria) 5. Is Transformation Experience Really Transferable? The Case of the Czech Support Programme TRANS in Burma Dr. Miroslav Nožina, (Institute of International Relations, Prague, Czech Republic) Abstracts: Between shock therapy and gradual approach: the Dilemma of Myanmar s Economic Transformation Dr. Andrzej Bolesta (Independent Researcher, Bangkok, Thailand), Dr. Michal Lubina, (Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland) Since 2011, Myanmar has been undergoing unprecedented systemic transformation. In addition to the political liberalization, it has been going through a process of post-socialist economic transition. In economic-institutional terms, Myanmar has been undergoing transformation from a centrally-planned, state-command, socialist economy, to an open, market-based, capitalist economy.
Although each post-socialist economy is different and thus each systemic transformation requires different instruments and policies, the general categorization of post-socialist transformation distinguishes two modes of transition, namely, the shock therapy and the gradual approach. Although not without controversies this division illustrates the very difference between European and Asian transitions. The story of Myanmar is different. Although the systemic reforms had commenced in 1988 and the authorities had employed a gradual approach at that time, the initial efforts came to a standstill and were eventually reversed. It was only in 2011 that the transformation process was reinstated. This paper argues that in the years 2011-2015, Myanmar s economic transformation from central planning to market was characterized by shock therapy (2011-2013), which was subsequently replaced by a gradual approach (2013-2015). The regime initially boldly tackled the reform objectives, only later to de-accelerate transition. As a post-socialist late-comer and thus in a position to study previous experiences, throughout the reform period the government has faced the dilemma; whether to employ the shock therapy or whether to embark on gradual changes. The state authorities have eventually settled for a gradual approach. Nevertheless, the dilemma, clearly visible in the changing dynamics of post-socialist economic laws and institution formulation, has resurfaced as a result of the acceleration of political liberalization. 1) The role of foreign trade and investment in transition the case of Myanmar Ágnes Orosz and Ágnes Szunomár (Institute of World Economics of the Centre for Economic and Regional Studies of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences) In this paper we discuss the transition process of Myanmar. The paper focuses on foreign trade and FDI as catalysts promoting economic growth and integration of transition countries with the world economy. First the present paper summarizes the costs and challenges of the transition process, then the paper sums up the patterns of foreign trade and FDI after 2011. Special emphasis is given to the changes of the composition of the foreign trade and investment. We discuss the policy changes regarding trade and investment climate and the future prospects of the transition process. 2) Yangon City metamorphoses since 2010: toward a possible sustainable development? Dr Marion Sabrie, (Center for Southeast Asian Studies, Paris, France) Since 2010 and the accelerated economic openness of Myanmar, changes are taking place in the country. Those metamorphoses are particularly visible in Yangon landscape, which remains the economic capital and the national entry door. Yangon's population is growing, its metropolitan and suburban areas are expanding, and their limits are not well defined yet. In response to the urban pressure and to the increased flow of Myanmar people from other regions, of investors and businessmen, the metropolization is anarchic: scattered construction of new skyscrapers, larger malls
and supermarkets, destructions of green spaces, construction on empty lands, gentrification of the Central Business District, etc. Resulting from the new economic legislation, which has allowed a massive import_ of affordable cars, Yangon is also facing many other issues: inadequate road system, severe traffic congestion, lack of parking, noise and air pollution, etc. Although the mobility of Yangon inhabitants is not high compared to other Asian Cities inhabitants, the Yangon City Development Committee (YCDC), assisted by the Japanese International Cooperation Agency, are preparing an urban transport plan of the Greater Yangon to implement. Can the YCDC control all the urban planning and the rapid changes that the city and its metropolitan area are facing? Although environmental, cultural and costs seem to be high, to what extend do Yangoners get benefits from the economic openness? Based on interviews of local and international actors living in Yangon and data mostly collected in 2014 Census, my paper will analyse the metamorphoses of the city in the economic transition. 3) From Humanitarianism to Development? Health Care and the shifting Perceptions of Eastern Myanmar s Borderlands. Christiane Voßemer, Department of Development Studies, (University of Vienna, Austria) The changing political climate in Myanmar and its diplomatic rehabilitation" by the western community of states have brought new international attention to the development" of the country - not only in economic regards but comprising the realm of social services, in particular education and health care. For the latter, the promotion of Universal Health Coverage" is guiding the efforts of new alliances between the Ministry of Health and different international organizations to expand the reach and accessibility of the health care system, also into Myanmar s conflict-shaped eastern border areas with Thailand. These areas and the situation of ethnic minority populations living there had long been approached by international actors as a humanitarian emergency requiring humanitarian rather than development interventions. The presentation inquires into the transforming space of actors in reproductive health in Karen State in order to point out concrete dimensions of Myanmar s transformation regarding the shifting perceptions of its eastern borderlands from a humanitarian towards a development imperative. It explores how the differently positioned actors engage in and struggle with the arising changes in their concrete work and raises wider critical questions regarding the implications of the current health coverage development project in Eastern Myanmar s borderlands 4) Is Transformation Experience Really Transferable? The Case of the Czech Support Programme TRANS in Burma Dr. Miroslav Nožina, Institute of International Relations, Prague
The concept of the Czech foreign policy approved in 2011 includes the support of human rights and democratisation processes in the world. The basic idea of the so-called transformation policy is to transfer the experience of the democratization of society in the Czech Republic, as a post-communist country, to other countries, where totalitarian systems still exist. A special government programme called TRANS was created for this purpose. One of the key countries of the programme is Burma/Myanmar, a country with a long-time tradition of mutual relations with the C.R. The C.R. has actively supported the Burmese dissent after the military coup in 1988, and in recent years, in the framework of the TRANS programme, it focused on the building of civic society in Burma. In the course of the existence of the programme, many positive results were achieved. On the other hand, though, it became clearly visible that the transfers of ideas, concepts and democratisation strategies between the two culturally different societies have many limits, which should be discussed and revised.