ASEAN Community 2015 managing integration for better jobs and shared prosperity in Myanmar

The paper explores the potential impact of regional economic integration on Myanmar, a country that has suffered from more than 20 years of Western sanctions. The country’s accession into the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) offered economic and trading opportunities, while the regional body arguably catalysed a regime change. Now, realization of the ASEAN Economic Community is challenging Myanmar. Having a low-skilled and poorly educated workforce with inadequate infrastructure, Myanmar must strive harder than other ASEAN Member States to narrow the regional inequality gaps. Improving skills among the labour force and in prioritized sectors of the economy, as well as strengthening the formal education system, will be critical if Myanmar is to compete. Improving infrastructure, such as electricity, roads and information communication technology, is equally salient. These measures must be coupled with effective institutions for social security and insurance, labour relations and business social responsibility. Narrowing inequality is a long-term project with an urgent start for Myanmar – the latecomer to growth.