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Official Name: Union of Myanmar
Land Area: 677,000 sq km
Population: 55 million
Capital City: Naypyitaw
Religion: Buddhist 89%, Christian 4%, Islam 4%, Animist 1%, other 2%
Language Burmese (65%) & 100 minority dialects
Currency: Kyat
Exchange Rate NZ$1: 5.06kt
Political system: Military
National government: State Peace & Development Council (SPDC)(
Note: the military failed to recognise the 1990 election victory of the National League for Democracy)
National legislature: N/A
Last election: 27 May 1990
Next election: This year (2010) – the exact election date is yet to be confirmed.
Head of State: Senior General Than Shwe
Head of Government: Prime Minister: HE Lt General Thein Sein
Key Ministers Foreign Minister: HE U Nyan Win
Trade Minister: HE Brigadier-General Tin Naing Thein
Key Opposition: Aung San Suu Kyi – Secretary General of the National League for Democracy (NLD)
Main exports: Gas, Teak and other hardwoods, Pulses, Garments
Principle export destinations: Thailand, India, China, Japan and the United Kingdom
Principle import sources: China, Singapore, Thailand, Republic of Korea and Malaysia
Inflation: 27.3% (2009)
NZ Exports (FOB): NZ$ 10 million (Dec 2009)
Main Exports: Dairy, sugars, iron and steel
NZ Imports (CIF): NZ$ 2 million ( Dec 2009)
Main Imports: Garments, Furniture, Preserved Fish
Services Trade: Negligible
The poor human rights situation and lack of progress in establishing democratic governance process in Burma precludes a close bilateral relationship between New Zealand and Burma. Nonetheless, regular contact is made in the context of ASEAN. Diplomatic relations are maintained via accredited Ambassadors in Bangkok and Canberra respectively.
Burma has spent the majority of its history as a collection of different and separate states and kingdoms with a patchwork of ethnic groups. The Bagan (Pagan) Dynasty in the 11th-13th century united Upper and Lower Burma until its destruction by the Mongol armies of Kublai Khan. It was during this Dynasty that Theravada Buddhist firmly established itself in the region. Other dynasties and kingdoms reigned over parts of Burma with variable levels of control.
Though the Portuguese and Dutch had contacts with Burma from the 16th century, it was only in the 18th century and the arrival of the French and English that greatly affected the country. The First Anglo-Burma war broke out 1824-1826 over areas bordering what was then British India. Burma ceded parts of Lower Burma (Arakan and Tenasserim states). In the Second Anglo-Burma 1852 Britain took the whole of Lower Burma and after the final Anglo-Burma war 1885, Burma became a colony of Britain in 1886.
Occupied by Japan during World War II, Burma became independent from British rule in 1948 and adopted a parliamentary Westminster system of government. A number of ethnic minority forces took up arms against the central government in 1948-62, and Burma has been characterised by ongoing civil conflict in many areas. In 1962 General Ne Win overthrew the civilian government and brought the military dominated Burma Socialist Programme Party (BSPP) to power. A Revolutionary Council was established which ruled by decree. In 1974 the regime put on civilian clothes and adopted a new constitution which established a one party socialist state. Ne Win stood down as President in 1981 and as Party Chairman in July 1988, although he continued to wield influence.
In mid-1988, in the face of political malaise and continuing economic hardship, a popular uprising took place. Student demonstrations in March and June became transformed in August/September into a national campaign to remove the army-backed government, to restore democracy and human rights, and to reform Burma's economic policies. The period was marked by a series of bloody urban demonstrations and resulted in the army, under General Saw Maung, taking over the government on 18 September 1988, and establishing the State Law and Order Restoration Council (SLORC).
At the time of its takeover in 1988, the SLORC undertook to hold multi-party elections for a constituent assembly.
Elections were last held in Burma in 1990, two years after the 1988 coup staged by the SLORC. The National League for Democracy (NLD) won almost 60% of valid votes and 80% of seats. However the SLORC subsequently imposed martial law and said it would continue to hold power until it had ensured that a sufficiently strong constitution had been drafted according to the guidelines laid down by a National Convention. The military responded to election results with a campaign of intimidation. It arrested and detained members of the NLD (including Aung San Suu Kyi (ASSK)) and other perceived political opponents, and prevented the convening of the National Assembly.SLORC changed its name in 1997 to the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC).
The Burmese Government continues to disregard basic human rights. There are still over 2,000 political detainees, including ASSK (who remains under house arrest). New Zealand, along with the international community, has repeatedly urged the Government to release ASSK immediately, and to take meaningful steps towards the restoration of democracy.
The regime has recently released the legislation for the elections scheduled to take place in the latter half of this year (2010). The election laws preclude political prisoners from participating in the elections (and political parties must forbid political prisoners from membership). This would completely decapitate the main opposition party (the NLD - National League for Democracy) by sidelining its leadership, including ASSK. Unsurprisingly, the NLD have therefore decided not to participate in the elections. The farcical legislation and the resulting absence of the main opposition mean it is hard to see the elections having any credibility at all. In addition, it is unlikely that Burma would accept any external monitoring. As a result, it is expected that the military will continue to hold sway after 2010.
The outlook for the Burma economy is bleak. Though rich in natural resources, Burma’s economy has largely stagnated since 1997 due to poor macroeconomic management, a large public sector debt, a sharp decline in foreign investment, isolationist policies and trade sanctions. Low revenues, high defence expenditure (thought to be as much as 40%) and heavy losses by state enterprises have led to massive budget deficits. Despite the liberalisation of the early 1990s, there are now significant barriers to private enterprise. In addition to inflation, exchange rate distortions, corruption, controls on trade, and arbitrary decision making by those in power, a crisis in the private banking sector has hampered private sector growth and discouraged domestic and foreign investment.
Natural gas is one of Burma’s largest sources of legal export revenue, accounting for about 30 percent of total exports, with further growth expected and energy demand increasing from neighbouring countries, predominantly India, China and Thailand.
Burma's humanitarian needs remain substantial.. Over 30% of the population is below the poverty line. Women and children are especially vulnerable. The standard of education is a major concern, the economy is weak, food shortages prevail, and healthcare is severely limited. Population displacement on a substantial scale has also occurred because of continuing conflict in many areas, despite the ceasefires negotiated in recent years.
Burma had traditionally pursued a non-aligned foreign policy since becoming independent in 1948. From 1962, when General Ne Win seized power, until the late 1970s Burma isolated itself from the world, and pursued autarkic economic policies. The isolation was relaxed in the 1980's. But following the events of mid-1988, and in particular the violence which accompanied the military takeover in September of that year, Western countries adopted policies which reflected their distaste for the military government. Aid was cut off and official contacts were restricted.
The opening up of Burma’s economy occasioned considerable interest in the exploitation of the resources available -forestry, fishing and minerals, with agreements being signed with Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Australia, Japan and South Korea.
More recently, Burma has concentrated on building up good relations with its neighbours - notably China, India and Thailand, but also Singapore, Indonesia and Japan. In July 1997 Burma, along with Laos, became a full member of ASEAN. ASEAN has a policy of constructive engagement with Burma but its members are becoming increasingly worried about the prospective damage to ASEAN’s reputation if there remains little progress in Burma.
New Zealand has supported the UN-led effort on Burma, but progress has been limited. The UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon visited Burma in July 2009 and expressed his “deep disappointment” that the Government refused his request to meet with ASSK. He noted that Burma could only benefit from engagement and noted that cooperation with the UN was the cornerstone of its foreign policy – “we ask it to match deeds with words”.
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Because of the political situation in Burma, New Zealand and Burma have a minimal relationship. The human rights situation in Burma remains a real concern to New Zealand. New Zealand strongly condemned the conviction of ASSK in 2009. New Zealand has repeatedly urged the Government to release ASSK immediately, and to take meaningful steps towards the restoration of democracy.
New Zealand acts multilaterally by supporting United Nation’s resolutions on Burma. In recent years Country Specific statements have been made to the UN Commission on Human Rights.
New Zealand does not have trade sanctions against Burma but the level of trade has traditionally been limited. New Zealand’s exports to Burma are small and fluctuate from year to year.
New Zealand does not have a bilateral ODA programme with Burma. NZAID provides funding support to multilateral agencies delivering humanitarian relief in Burma. This funding is delivered by agencies such as UNDP and the United Nations World Food Programme. New Zealand has also provided some limited education assistance, including via the Mekong Institute in Thailand and the ELTO programme (English Language Training for Officials).
There are no direct air links from New Zealand to Burma.
New Zealand does not have any defence linkages with Burma.
Numbers of Burma students in New Zealand are low.
Two-way tourism is currently at a very low level.
Burma is a member of ASEAN and the United Nations.
Cultural and business linkages are minimal.
Historical visits include visits in the 1970s by the Burma President and later the Deputy Prime Minister. There have been no visits in recent years.
The Safetravel website provides a travel advisory for travellers to Burma [external link].
Enquiries may be directed to Consular Division at the following numbers: Phone: 494-8500; Fax: 494 8506.
The Embassy of the Union of Burma in Canberra is accredited to New Zealand.
