Natural Gas Master Plan for Myanmar

Abstract

Myanmar is the largest country in mainland Southeast Asia, with 14 states and regions, and a land area of 676,577 square kilometres (Figure 1.1). Bordered by China, Thailand, and India, Myanmar occupies a strategically important position in Southeast Asia. Central states such as Yangon and Mandalay, which contain large cities, have a higher population density, while the northeastern states of Kachin and Shan are more demographically dispersed. Since the 2011 economic reform, Myanmar’s economy has achieved remarkable growth. During 2011–2016, the average annual gross domestic product (GDP) growth rate was 7.0%, much higher than both the global average (3.6%) and the average of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)-5 countries (Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, and Viet Nam) (5.1%) (IMF, 2018). Backed by sustained economic growth, energy demand in Myanmar also increased remarkably. From 2011 to 2016, the country’s GDP expanded 1.52 times and energy demand increased 1.43 times. With the current high economic growth likely to continue, Myanmar is in the process of expanding its economic activities significantly and becoming an economic power in Asia.