Doing Business in Burma
There is no general prohibition for United States companies regarding the exportation of goods and services, other than financial services, to Burma. However, the U.S. Commerce Department’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) has imposed license requirements across a range of items that are exported to Burma.
In comparison, it is illegal to import products of Burmese origin into the United States.
Another important consideration for American companies is the need to comply with trade and investment sanctions against Burma imposed by the U.S. government. For example, the United States has issued an executive order which prohibits conducting business with senior Burmese government officials or members of their family. Just as importantly, U.S. Burmese Sanctions Regulations prohibit new investment in Burma by U.S. persons on or after May 21, 1997, unless such investment is pursuant to an agreement in place prior to that date.
Because of the legal confines of U.S. sanctions law and the confusing nature of Burma’s legal system, we strongly advise U.S. businesses to consult with local and U.S.-based attorneys and the Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) prior to engaging in any business in Burma. Although based on legal traditions established under British colonial rule, many Burmese laws are arcane or not followed in practice. While contracts are generally respected, the government and members of the military and local business elite traditionally prevail in any legal disputes with foreign businesses.
More details on the commercial environment in Burma, select the link below:
For more information, please click here
For events information, visit www.export.gov/tradeevent.html
Contact Us
Machut A. Shishak
Economic/Commercial Officer
American Embassy Rangoon
110 University Avenue
Kamayut Township 11041, Yangon, Myanmar (Burma)
Tel: (95-1) 536 509 Ext-4227
E-mail: ShishakMA@state.gov
Francis Peters
Commercial Attaché
U.S. Commercial Service,
U.S. Embassy, Bangkok
GPF Witthayu Tower A, Suite 302,
93/1 Wireless Road Bangkok 10330
Tel: [662]-205-5263
Fax: [662]-255-2915
E-mail: Francis.Peters@trade.gov
Website: www.export.gov/thailand
Jean Kelly
Thailand/Philippines/Burma desk officer
Office of the Pacific Basin
International Trade Administration
U.S. Department of Commerce
Tel: 202-482-3448
Fax: 202-482-3316
Email: Jean.Kelly@trade.gov
For more information on Intellectual Property Rights Protection in Burma, contact:
Peter N. Fowler
Regional IP Attaché
U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
U.S. Embassy, Bangkok
GPF Witthayu Tower A, Suite 302,
93/1 Wireless Road Bangkok 10330
Tel: [662] 205-5913
Fax: [662] 255-2915
Email: Peter.Fowler@trade.gov
Useful Links:
An Overview of the Burmese Sanctions Regulations can be found out:
http://www.treas.gov/offices/enforcement/ofac/programs/burma/burma.pdf
Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) regulations and guidance are available at:
http://www.bis.doc.gov
http://www.bis.doc.gov/policiesandregulations/index.htm
http://www.bis.doc.gov/policiesandregulations/regionalconsiderations.htm
US companies can also phone directly to the BIS Office in Washington, DC at Tel. (202) 482-0436 to inquire whether their product is covered by US export controls.
Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) regulations and guidance regarding Burma are available at:
http://www.treas.gov/ofac
http://www.treasury.gov/resource-center/sanctions/Programs/pages/burma.aspx
http://www.treasury.gov/resource-center/sanctions/Documents/burma.pdf
"Doing Business in Burma"
- To download, select this link:
- CCG Burma 2012
