Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Myanmar, Say Hello to the World of Global Value Chains

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Book cover Myanmar’s Integration with the World

  • 558 Accesses

Abstract

After long years of isolation and inward orientation, Myanmar’s participation in global value chains (GVCs) is very limited. Yet, integration into GVCs can be an important contributor to a country’s economic development. However, the benefits from GVC participation do not materialize automatically and there are actually also risks associated with it. Based on primary and existing secondary data and information collected through expert consultation, this chapter assesses the extent of Myanmar’s current participation in GVCs before discussing the opportunities and challenges that deeper integration into GVCs can bring for the country. It concludes by delineating a number of policy recommendations.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 89.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 119.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 169.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • ADB. (2014). Myanmar: Unlocking the Potential. Mandaluyong: ADB.

    Google Scholar 

  • ADB. (2016). Myanmar Transport Sector Policy Note: How to Reduce Transport Costs. Mandaluyong: Asian Development Bank (ADB).

    Google Scholar 

  • Arndt, S. W., & Kierzkowski, H. (2001). Fragmentation: New Production and Trade Patterns in the World Economy. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Athukorala, P. (2010). Production Networks and Trade Patterns in East Asia: Regionalization or Globalization? ADB Working Paper on Regional Economic Integration, No. 56.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ayres, S., & Freire, C. (2014). In Which Industries to Invest? Aligning Market and Development Incentives in Myanmar. Journal of Southeast Asian Economies, 31(3), 395–411.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Barrientos, S., Gereffi, G., & Rossi, A. (2011). Economic and Social Upgrading in Global Production Networks: A New Paradigm for a Changing World. International Labor Review, 150(3-4), 319–340.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bernhardt, T., Kanay De, S., & Dickenson-Jones, G. (2016). Myanmar SMEs’ Participation in ASEAN and East Asian Regional Economic Integration – With a Focus on Food and Apparel Manufacturing. CESD Economic Reforms Working Paper, No. 1/2016.

    Google Scholar 

  • Donaubauer, J., & Dreger, C. (2016). The End of Cheap Labour: Are Foreign Investors Leaving China?. DIW Discussion Paper, No. 1598.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dunning, J. H. (2000). The eclectic paradigm as an envelope for economic and business theories of MNE activity. International Business Review, 9, 163–190.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ernst, D., & Kim, L. (2002). Global Production Networks, Knowledge Diffusion, and Local Capability Formation. Research Policy, 31, 1417–1429.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Feenstra, R. C. (1998). Integration of Trade and Disintegration of Production in the Global Economy. Journal of Economic Perspectives, 12(4), 31–50.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gabusi, G. (2015). State, Market and Social Order: Myanmar’s Political Economy Challenges. European Journal of East Asian Studies, 14(1), 52–75.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gereffi, G., & Korzeniewicz, M. (Eds.). (1994). Commodity Chains and Global Capitalism. Westport: Greenwood Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gereffi, G., Humphrey, J., & Sturgeon, T. (2005). The Governance of Global Value Chains. Review of International Political Economy, 12(1), 78–104.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Grossman, G. M., & Rossi-Hansberg, E. (2008). Trading Tasks: A Simple Theory of Offshoring. American Economic Review, 98(5), 1978–1997.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hummels, D., Ishii, J., & Yi, K.-M. (2001). The Nature and Growth of Vertical Specialization in World Trade. Journal of International Economics, 54(1), 75–96.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Humphrey, J., & Schmitz, H. (2002). How Does Insertion in Global Value Chains Affect Upgrading in Industrial Clusters? Regional Studies, 36(9), 1017–1027.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • IMF. (2015). Selected Issues Paper – Myanmar. IMF Country Report, No. 15/268. Washington, DC: IMF.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kaplinsky, R. (2005). Globalization, Poverty and Inequality. Cambridge: Polity Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kudo, T. (2008). The Impact of U.S. Sanctions on the Myanmar Garment Industry. Asian Survey, 48(6), 997–1017.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • MGMA (Myanmar Garment Manufacturers Association). (2015). Myanmar’s Garment Sector: Opportunities & Challenges in 2015. Yangon: MGMA.

    Google Scholar 

  • Morris, M., & Staritz, C. (2014). Industrialization Trajectories in Madagascar’s Export Apparel Industry: Ownership, Embeddedness, Markets, and Upgrading. World Development, 56(C), 243–257.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pickles, J., Plank, L., Staritz, C., & Glasmeier, A. (2015). Trade Policy and Regionalisms in Global Clothing Production Networks. Cambridge Journal of Regions, Economy and Society, 8, 381–402.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rossi, A. (2013). Does Economic Upgrading Lead to Social Upgrading in Global Production Networks? Evidence from Morocco. World Development, 46, 223–233.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Soans, A., & Abe, M. (2015). Myanmar Business Survey. Data Analysis and Policy Implications. Bangkok: UNESCAP.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sturgeon, T. J. (2001). How Do We Define Value Chains and Production Networks? IDS Bulletin, 32(3), 9–18.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Taglioni, D., & Winkler, D. (2016). Making Global Value Chains Work for Development. Washington, DC: World Bank.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Turnell, S. (2014). Banking and Financial Regulation and Reform in Myanmar. Journal of Southeast Asian Economies, 31(2), 225–240.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • UNCTAD. (2013). Global Value Chains and Development. Investment and Value Added Trade in the Global Economy. Geneva: UNCTAD.

    Google Scholar 

  • UNESCAP. (2015). Asia-Pacific Trade and Investment Report 2015: Supporting Participation in Value Chains. Bangkok: UNESCAP.

    Google Scholar 

  • WTO. (2014). Trade Policy Review Myanmar. Geneva: WTO.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhu, S., & Pickles, J. (2014). Bring In, Go Up, Go West, Go Out: Upgrading, Regionalisation and Delocalisation in China’s Apparel Production Networks. Journal of Contemporary Asia, 44(1), 36–63.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Myanmar Centre for Economic and Social Development (CESD), Yangon, Myanmar

    Thomas Bernhardt

Authors
  1. Thomas Bernhardt
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Research and Information System for Developing Countries (RIS), New Delhi, Delhi, India

    Prabir De

  2. Department of Economics, Jadavpur University, Kolkata, West Bengal, India

    Ajitava Raychaudhuri

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2017 The Author(s)

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Bernhardt, T. (2017). Myanmar, Say Hello to the World of Global Value Chains. In: De, P., Raychaudhuri, A. (eds) Myanmar’s Integration with the World. Palgrave Macmillan, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-10-5134-0_6

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-10-5134-0_6

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Palgrave Macmillan, Singapore

  • Print ISBN: 978-981-10-5133-3

  • Online ISBN: 978-981-10-5134-0

  • eBook Packages: Economics and FinanceEconomics and Finance (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation