Burma Country Commercial Guide
Learn about the market conditions, opportunities, regulations, and business conditions in burma, prepared by at U.S. Embassies worldwide by Commerce Department, State Department and other U.S. agencies’ professionals
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Selling Factors and Techniques
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Imported products are perceived as having much higher quality than those made locally. U.S. products are considered high quality and are highly sought after, although higher price points remain an impediment to gaining market share. In addition, restrictions on import licenses, banking sector instability, and exchange rate fluctuations have significantly impacted import/export companies and consumers’ spending on imported products.

Trade Promotion and Advertising

Below is a partial list of media and trade promotion organizations. Most independent media organizations in Burma were closed by the military regime since 2021 coup. The U.S. Embassy in Yangon assumes no responsibility for the professional ability or integrity of the persons and companies whose names appear in the following alphabetical list. 

•    BETV
•    Daily Eleven
•    DVB
•    Frontier Myanmar 
•    Irrawaddy
•    Mizzima
•    Myanmar Business Network 
•    Myanmar Now
•    Nikkei Asian Review  
•    Standard Time Daily

The U.S. Embassy Yangon and the American Chamber of Commerce (AMCHAM) Myanmar have collaborated on initiatives to support American businesses operating in Burma.

Pricing

The market is highly price sensitive. U.S. firms should be mindful of price competition from Burma’s neighboring trading partners. Retail prices depend on fluctuating exchange rates and the irregular availability of consumer goods transported from China, Thailand, India, Singapore, and other regional centers.

Sales Service/Customer Support

After-sales service and customer service, though lagging behind international standards, continue to improve in sectors that have foreign competition. U.S. firms have a competitive edge due to their reputation for quality products and post-sales service reliability.
Local Professional Services

Since 2013, many business consultancies and legal, accounting, and market research firms have opened in Yangon. See AMCHAM Myanmar’s website for more details about AMCHAM Committees by category.

Principal Business Associations

•    Union of Myanmar Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry 
•    Myanmar Computer Industry Association
•    Myanmar Garment Manufacturers Association  
•    Myanmar Cosmetics Association
•    Myanmar Pharmaceutical and Medical Device Manufacturer Association 
•    Myanmar Pulses, Beans, Maize & Sesame Seeds Merchants Association   
•    Myanmar Rice Federation  
•    Myanmar Retailers Association  
•    Myanmar Women Entrepreneurs Association  
•    Myanmar Young Entrepreneurs Association  

U.S. Government Resources

Information on Burma-related U.S. government sanctions:
•    OFAC Recent Actions | U.S. Department of the Treasury
New Export Controls on Burma:
•    BIS Export Control
Burma Travel Advisory:
•    Travel Advisory

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Global Business Navigator Chatbot Beta

Welcome to the Global Business Navigator, an artificial intelligence (AI) Chatbot from the International Trade Administration (ITA). This tool, currently in beta version testing, is designed to provide general information on the exporting process and the resources available to assist new and experienced U.S. exporters. The Chatbot, developed using Microsoft’s Azure AI services, is trained on ITA’s export-related content and aims to quickly get users the information they need. The Chatbot is intended to make the benefits of exporting more accessible by understanding non-expert language, idiomatic expressions, and foreign languages.

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