Business Corruption in Myanmar

Corruption is endemic in Myanmar, despite a range of anti-corruption initiatives. Many businesspeople rate corruption, a weak rule of law and complex and opaque licensing systems as a serious barriers to investment and trade in Myanmar. The country suffers from high levels of corruption across all sectors. In November 2015, Myanmar held its first national election, ending 50 years of military rule. Aung San Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy (NLD) won a landslide victory, which is widely interpreted as a step towards an opening of the previously isolated country. The Anti-Corruption Law criminalises public sector active and passive bribery, abuse of office and attempted corruption, but it does not cover facilitation payments . The maximum punishment for corruption is fifteen years' imprisonment and a fine. Gifts can be interpreted as bribery and are thereby illegal, but they are common in Myanmar's business culture.

December 2015
GAN Integrity Solutions