When Ko Myint Thein Htun went into the family cotton weaving and clothing retail business from the shores of Shan State’s Inle Lake, he did not think he would be doing the same thing some two decades on and helping his village develop along the way. By using some of the same cotton and silk […]
PM Modi to Indian diaspora in Myanmar: ‘We aren’t merely reforming India, but transforming India’
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is on a three-day bilateral visit to Myanmar, justified decisions like demonetisation and Goods and Services Tax (GST) terming them as ‘tough’ while addressing the Indian diaspora in Yangon on Wednesday. “We never shy away from taking big and tough actions for the benefit of India because we consider the […]
The Soft Power Limits of Chinese Theravada Buddhism
Chinese Theravada Buddhism is in no position to serve as a tool of soft power for the state. For centuries Yunnan has served as China’s gateway to Southeast Asia. Besides trade, an important component of this linkage is the exchange of religion and religious groups, in this case Theravada Buddhism. Since its 7th century arrival […]
Myanmar’s Garment Industry Holds Unique Opportunity
Just as I return from visiting garment factories in Myanmar, a stream of press attention focuses on challenges facing this area. Although there are challenges, my trip has only made me believe in the unique opportunity this country represents to change the future of how our clothing is made. Amidst the media headlines there lies […]