The PPP Center, created in late 2018 pursuant to the Project Bank Notification, has finally issued its first notification on guidelines for unsolicited proposals, dated 2 October 2020 (the “Guidelines”), nearly two years after its inception. The Guidelines apply to unsolicited proposals, i.e., proposals made by the private sector directly to a government entity for […]

After decades of highly controversial land acquisitions for public purposes, Myanmar turns a new page by passing the Land Acquisition, Resettlement, and Rehabilitation Law 2019 (Law no. 24/2019, referred to herein as the “LARR 2019”). Highlights of this note How does the new process work? The proposal required for starting the land acquisition process has […]

On 30 November 2018, the President’s Office issued a Notification on a publicly assessible database, the Project Bank, which will help to regulate Private Public Partnership (“PPP”) projects in Myanmar. The government hopes the Project Bank will enable greater transparency, facilitate cooperation between different government agencies, and strengthen fiscal policy on infrastructure. The primary purpose […]

Looking back, it is evident that 2018 has seen a lot of changes in the Myanmar legal framework. There is also a number of developments that can be expected in the near future. Banking regulations Until early November, foreign bank branches could only provide banking services to foreign companies, i.e., companies incorporated in Myanmar with […]

Myanmar is undertaking a series of reforms, both in terms of laws and policies, that strengthen the country’s attractiveness for energy and infrastructure projects.

Myanmar is undertaking a series of reforms, both in terms of laws and policies, that strengthen the country’s attractiveness for energy and infrastructure projects. Many of these reforms, although they are crucial, are not widely known outside of Myanmar. Highlights of this note Major Projects in the Pipeline Reform of the Project Procurement Process: the […]

In June the President signed a new notification issuing guidelines to government departments and organizations in relation to the execution of international convention and ‘commercial contracts.’ The notification was published in the gazette last month, and aims to codify existing internal governmental practices. The Notification contains a number of new elements that local and foreign […]

On the 15 June 2018 the Ministry of Construction (“MOC”), in partnership with VDB Loi, organized a landmark conference on Public Private Partnerships for Toll Roads in Myanmar. Highlights Overview Reports Panels First Step on the Road to Making the Yangon Expressway Project a Success

The Union Ministry of Construction, in coordination with the Union Ministry of Transport and Communication, and the Yangon Regional Government seeks to implement its first ever elevated expressway, the Yangon Elevated Expressway. Highlights Situation of existing toll roads in Myanmar Myanmar has a lot of experience with toll road bot contracts, but not the right […]

VDB Loi held a workshop in Tokyo titled “Public Private Partnership for Myanmar Toll Roads”. There were more than 30 participants from developer companies, construction companies and banks. Edwin highlighted the key points to know when structuring a PPP project in Myanmar. Discussions were held about the prospects of road transportation projects in Myanmar. Topics discussed […]

A “market sounding meeting” was held on 29 September to exchange some preliminary ideas on the Government’s tender for the Heho, Mawlamyine and Kawthaung Airports. The Government had earlier launched tender application forms which were available for purchase. Some 50 to 60 companies had purchased the set per airport, with most of the interest going […]

As Myanmar increasingly liberalizes, decentralizes and opens its power sector to foreign investment, foreign IPPs are faced with a legal and regulatory framework that is in full transition.

One of Myanmar’s larger cities plans to implement a water supply project serving approximately 150,000 residents. Based on a feasibility study which was carried out, the project would have to comprise several treatment facilities and more than a dozen elevated tanks. The necessary land for each one of the facilities has been earmarked by the […]

VDB Loi has worked on nearly 4,000 Megawatts worth of Myanmar power projects, some now in operation, some awaiting financial close, but most remain in various stages of approval. We have also assisted the Ministry of Electricity and Energy with many of its transactions and privatizations. However, in the last 12-month period, since 1 April […]

On Friday March 31st 2017 the VDB Loi and Latham & Watkins hosted an event entitled “Government Guarantees for Public Private Projects in Myanmar” in Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar. In attendance were H.E. Kyaw Win, Union Minister of Planning and Finance, U Aung Nai Oo, Director General DICA, U Win Khant, Permanent Secretary Ministry of Planning […]

JOI and JBIC Supported VDB Loi Workshop in Tokyo Discusses Upcoming Energy and Infrastructure Deal Pipeline On 15 March, VDB Loi’s Edwin Vanderbruggen and Satoshi Mitsukuri presented a uniquely practical update on Myanmar energy and infrastructure projects. The briefing was sponsored by the Japan Institute for Overseas Investment (“JOI”) and supported by the Japan Bank […]