​Background

Myanmar is relatively a newcomer in the international trade scene after the lift of sanctions in 2013. Yet, together with Cambodia, it is one of the few LDCs that has been able to dramatically increase exports by exploiting the trading opportunities arising from trade preferences, especially those provided by the European Union under the Everything But Arms (EBA) Agreement.

At a first glance the export composition and destination of Myanmar is more diversified than the other ASEAN LDCs. Yet, the reliance on trade preferences for major manufactured exports remains a key challenge.

Objective

The validation workshop was held as part of an UNCTAD initiative to design an articulated and coordinated trade policy jointly with the ASEAN LDCs’ Ministries of Commerce and other relevant government institutions.

UNCTAD aims to contribute to the establishment of permanent capacity at the Ministries of Commerce of ASEAN LDCs to design and implement a new trade policy, and manage and successfully lead trade negotiations at multilateral and regional level, as well as implement the commitments deriving such from trade agreements.