Introduction
The Belt and Road initiative refers to the land-based "Silk Road Economic Belt" and the seagoing "21st Century Maritime Silk Road" that encompasses over 60 countries in the world. Aiming at connecting China to the world, the Belt and Road region currently captures over 30% of global GDP and is expecting to offer enormous economic growth in the near future.
The “Road” package targets to provide participants with a comprehensive understanding of the initiative and its associated investment opportunities by travelling to countries in the Belt and Road region.
Myanmar, being ruled by the autocratic military for decades, was selected as the first destination of the “Road” package. Since the open reforms in 2011, drastic changes happened in the country and Myanmar is now actively seeking foreign investments and improvements on economic performance. We will directly travel to Myanmar to understand how is the Belt and Road initiative going to benefit Myanmar and to discover whether is Myanmar a good place for developing business.
Highlights
Itinerary
A 6 days tour to Myanmar with exclusive visits to special economic zone, media headquarters and political parties.
Pre-tour Seminars
Pre-tour seminars providing solid background knowledge on the Belt and Road initiative as well as the political economy of Myanmar.
People
Meeting scholars, journalists, politicians and government officials from Hong Kong and Myanmar.
Expected Outcomes
Upon completion of this package, you will be able to:
- Understand the One Belt One Road initiative and its potential values;
- Experience the Myanmar culture and get to know its history, politicsand economy;
- Exchange ideas with scholars, entrepreneurs and government officials of Myanmar; and
- Get to know people who share the same aspirations as you
Medium of Instruction
While seminars will be delivered Englishand supported by Cantonese, the trip to Myanmar will be accompanied by tour mentors from Glo Travel and led by experienced local guides who are proficient in English.
Target Participants
Professionals with interest to understand the Belt and Road initiative and to grasp opportunities brought by the One Belt One Road initiative.
Seminars
Four pre-tour seminars are organised to cover the basics of the history, politics, economy and society of Myanmar, and, to facilitate exchanges of ideas between participants and with guest speakers.
Session 1 - The Forgotten Linkage between Hong Kong, Myanmar and the Belt and Road Initiative
This session serves as an introductory session on the linkage between Hong Kong and Myanmar, with the highlights given to how the Belt and Road Initiative has potentially shaped the relations between Hong Kong and Myanmar in both public and private fields.
Speakers:
Prof. Simon SHEN Associate Professor, the Chinese University of Hong Kong
Dr. YU Ka-ho Assistant Lecturer, the Chinese University of Hong Kong
Session 2 - Religion and Society in Myanmar
This session will focus on the socio-cultural dimension of Myanmar society, which serves as the foundation of assessing political and economic risks of the country. Highlights will be given to the religious and societal tensions between various ethnic groups in Myanmar, and how the new government responds to the arising tensions in the country.
Speakers:
Dr. Thomas PATTON Assistant Professor, the City University of Hong Kong
Ms. Susanne CHEUNG Journalist
Session 3 - Political Changes, Civil Society and Investment in Myanmar – First-hand Experience
This session provides first-hand experience on the investment opportunities and challenges in Myanmar. Highlights will be given to how the political changes create challenges to investors, as well as the opportunities created under the Belt and Road Initiative.
Speakers:
Mr. Ricky YUE PhD Candidate, University of Bath
Mr. Albert Oung Founding President, Hong Kong Myanmar Chamber of Commerce
Session 4 - The OBOR, Emerging Markets, and Doing Business in Myanmar
This session provides practical insights on the investment and doing business at emerging markets, and highlights will be given to the practical challenges for setting business in Myanmar, as well as how professional services and manufacturers in Hong Kong could contribute to and be benefited by setting up business in Myanmar.
Speakers:
Mr. Robert PE Partner in Gibson Dunn’s Hong Kong Office
Hon. Felix CHUNG Legislative Councillor and Director of the Chinese Manufacturers’ Association of Hong Kong
Itinerary
TThis package includes a 6-day visit to Myanmar organised by Glo Travel. The itinerary is tailored for the “Road” package that includes visits to exclusive destinations and meetings with local politicians, bankers, reporters and government officials:
Day 1
City Hong Kong >Yangon, Myanmar
Key Activities
Flight from Hong Kong to Yangon
Day 2
City Yangon, Myanmar
Key Activities
Visit to Yangon City Development Committee (YCDC), meeting with Mayor or General Secretary of YCDC
Visit to Union of Myanmar Federation of Chambers of Commerce Industry (UMFCCI)
Meeting with U Thein Tun, Ex-chairman of Myanmar Bankers Association
Breakfast at hotel / Lunch at The Grand MeeYaHta (Chinese cuisine) / Dinner at Bangkok Kitchen (Myanmar/Thai cuisine)
Day 3
City Yangon, Myanmar
Key Activities
Visit to The Myanmar Times, meeting with Geoffrey Goddard, Senior Editor and visit to printing house
Meeting with representatives of the Myanmar Rice Association and the Myanmar Academy of Agriculture, Forestry, Livestock and Fishery Sciences at Yuzana Hotel
Meeting with Thura K. Ko of YGA Capital Limited / EGRESS at Yuzana Hotel
Breakfast at hotel / Lunch at Royal Thazin (Myanmar cuisine) / Dinner at Padonmar Restaurant (Myanmar/Thai cuisine)
Day 4
City Yangon, Myanmar
Key Activities
Meeting with representatives of the Myanmar Investment Commission (MIC)and visit to the One-stop Service Centre for Investment
Meeting with U Soe Win (Co-founder of NLD, Member of Central Campaign Committee), U Han Tha Myint (Party Secretary) and U Hla Min (Admin Officer) of National League for Democracy (NLD)
Visit to Chinatown
Breakfast at hotel / Lunch at Padonmar Restaurant (Myanmar/Thai cuisine) / Dinner at Shanti (Indian cuisine)
Day 5
City Yangon, Myanmar
Meeting with U Min Kyi from Myanmar International Terminal Thilawa (MITT)
Meeting with U Myint Zaw from Thilawa Special Economic Zone
Closing briefing
Breakfast at hotel / Lunch at local restaurant / Dinner at The Strand Grill
Day 6
City Yangon, Myanmar > Hong Kong
Flight from Yangon to Hong Kong and dismiss
Note 1: The above itinerary is for reference only and is subject to change
Note 2: Glo Travel is a Hong Kong based tour organiser renowned for organising unique tours that focus on engaging with locals and exploring target destinations from multiple angles including its politics, culture and society.