Nearly three years after its transition from military to civilian rule, Myanmar still faces a host of challenges in its path to democratization and economic reform. Japan has offered economic aid to support development of the country's infrastructure that Japan hopes will improve the investment climate for businesses. Assistance should also be extended to help the Southeast Asian nation pursue political and legal reforms.
Myanmar has achieved rapid growth in foreign investments that have rushed into the resource-rich country as most of the economic sanctions by Western powers were lifted.
This year Myanmar assumes the chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations for the first time — a move that symbolizes its full-scale return to the international community.