Business changes.
A clearer perspective.
From market-opening reforms to today’s operating environment.
Explore the turning points since 2011, with dates and sources.
- 2011— 2020Opening & reformExchange rates · investment · companies
- 2021— 2025A changed environmentPolitics · finance · people · disaster
- 2026NOWEvolving operating conditionsPayments · logistics · daily operations
Changes worth following.
Payments, mobility and logistics.
Start with everyday business conditions.
Conversion of export earnings
15%Effective 1 January 2026.
Distinguish the effective date from the notice date.
Driving and refuelling differ
Driving curbs liftedDriving restrictions ended on 9 September.
Refuelling-day and quota restrictions continue.
Reassess logistics assumptions
Land→ SeaWorld Bank update, 28 September.
Reports growing reliance on maritime routes.
Follow the turning points.
- REPORT PUBLISHED
2026 trade and investment review published
JETRO’s annual review covers developments centred on FY2025/26, with foreign exchange, power, import and logistics constraints still shaping business conditions.
BUSINESS CHECKPOINTAssess investment plans alongside sector-specific sourcing, payment and operating conditions.
- REPORT PUBLISHED
Greater reliance on maritime trade routes
The World Bank reports disrupted border routes and greater reliance on Yangon’s seaports. Continuing exports do not imply that domestic logistics and import constraints have disappeared.
BUSINESS CHECKPOINTReview alternative routes, lead times and inventory cover.
- EFFECTIVE
Odd–even driving restrictions lifted
Number-plate-based driving restrictions were removed. Odd–even refuelling days and vehicle-specific fuel purchasing controls remain in place.
Announced and effective: 9 September / JETRO: 11 September
BUSINESS CHECKPOINTPlan vehicle movements separately from refuelling schedules.
- STATEMENT
FATF maintains its enhanced due diligence call
FATF continues to call for risk-based enhanced due diligence on Myanmar. Its June statement says countermeasures may be considered if progress is insufficient by October.
Latest country statement verified as of 13 October
BUSINESS CHECKPOINTThe June statement does not impose countermeasures. Confirm your bank’s documentation requirements.
- EFFECTIVE
30-day temporary use for unregistered devices
Devices outside the CEIR approved list receive 30 days of temporary use from first network connection. The notice requires applicable taxes and penalties to be paid for continued use.
Notice: 6 March / Temporary-use measure: from 1 April
BUSINESS CHECKPOINTCheck each device’s IMEI, registration and tax status before purchase or import.
- OPERATIONS BEGIN
AEO mutual recognition with Singapore begins
Singapore began mutual recognition with Myanmar and two other countries. Eligible trade involving accredited operators can benefit from customs facilitation.
Operational start: 20 February / JETRO: 4 March
BUSINESS CHECKPOINTVerify accreditation, AEO codes and declaration requirements; benefits do not automatically cover every shipment.
- EFFECTIVE
Mandatory conversion of export earnings falls to 15%
Central Bank Notification 2/2026 reduced the share of export earnings to be converted into kyat within one working day from 25% to 15%.
Effective: 1 January / Notification: 7 January / JETRO: 14 January
BUSINESS CHECKPOINTConfirm receipt dates, applicable rates and conditions for using the balance with your bank.
- EVENT
Central Myanmar earthquake disrupts business
The earthquake damaged buildings and infrastructure and disrupted production and supply chains. The World Bank described the shock as compounding existing economic challenges.
BUSINESS CHECKPOINTCheck site and supplier operations, alternative sourcing and business continuity plans.
- ANNOUNCED
Military service law activation announced
The State Administration Council announced activation of the military service law. JETRO subsequently reported effects on young people’s plans to go abroad and on the labour market.
BUSINESS CHECKPOINTReview recruitment, staffing and skills-transfer plans with regard to individual circumstances and current rules.
- STATEMENT
FATF calls for enhanced due diligence
FATF called for enhanced due diligence on Myanmar, a milestone for understanding cross-border payment and counterparty checks.
BUSINESS CHECKPOINTFor the verified update, see the June 2026 statement above and consult your bank.
- EVENT
Military coup changes the business environment
The military detained government leaders. Political and security instability, alongside foreign exchange and import restrictions, subsequently reshaped business conditions.
BUSINESS CHECKPOINTEvaluate current operating conditions independently of earlier market-opening milestones.
- EFFECTIVE
Myanmar Companies Law takes effect
The Myanmar Companies Law 2017 took effect on 1 August 2018, following the commencement notification, introducing a new corporate framework.
Commencement announced: June 2018 / Effective: 1 August
BUSINESS CHECKPOINTCheck current MyCO procedures and required documents for incorporation and changes.
- ENACTED
Myanmar Investment Law enacted
Law 40/2016 was enacted, establishing a legal framework for domestic and foreign investment.
BUSINESS CHECKPOINTCheck current rules, sector restrictions and approvals for each proposed investment.
- OPENED
Thilawa Special Economic Zone opens
Thilawa SEZ opened with Japanese and Myanmar public–private participation, linking industrial-estate development with supporting infrastructure.
BUSINESS CHECKPOINTCompare current plot availability, infrastructure and logistics conditions.
- EFFECTIVE
Transition to a managed floating exchange rate
Myanmar moved from its previous multiple-rate system to a managed floating exchange rate, a milestone in exchange-rate reform.
BUSINESS CHECKPOINTHistorical arrangements differ from today’s conversion and remittance rules.
- EVENT
Political transition and economic reforms
The transition brought the Thein Sein administration to office, followed by reforms in investment, banking, insurance and foreign exchange.
BUSINESS CHECKPOINTA historical starting point for understanding the changes that followed.
No events match these filters.
SOURCES & DATESSources and the meaning of dates.
Sources and the meaning of dates.
Public sources checked on 13 October 2026. This is a selection of business-relevant milestones, not a complete register of legal changes or events. It is not updated automatically.
Timeline dates refer to the labelled effective date, announcement, publication or event. Source dates below identify publication or update dates, or enactment dates for laws. Historical entries describe events at that time.
- 01JETRO · 2026-10-02
Myanmar trade and investment report 2026 ↗
- 02WORLD BANK · 2026-09-28
Transport and logistics monitoring ↗
- 03JETRO · 2026-09-11
Driving restrictions lifted; fuel rationing continues ↗
- 04FATF · 2026-06-19
High-risk jurisdictions: call for enhanced due diligence ↗
- 05CEIR / MOI · 2026-03-06
Public notice on adoption of CEIR ↗
- 06JETRO · 2026-03-04
Expansion of AEO mutual recognition ↗
- 07JETRO · 2026-01-14
Export earnings conversion ratio reduced to 15% ↗
- 08WORLD BANK · 2025-06-12
Earthquake compounds Myanmar’s economic challenges ↗
- 09JETRO · 2025-05-21
Myanmar’s young people looking abroad ↗
- 10MOFA JAPAN · 2026-10-01
Myanmar overview and historical background ↗
- 11DICA · 2018-06-22
Myanmar Companies Law takes effect on 1 August 2018 ↗
- 12DICA · 2016-10-18
Myanmar Investment Law (official translation) ↗
- 13JICA · 2018-10
Thilawa SEZ: technical and financial cooperation ↗
- 14JETRO · 2025-11-10
Exchange controls and historical changes ↗