Myanmar and ADB
ADB has temporarily put on hold sovereign project disbursements and new contracts in Myanmar effective 1 February 2021. ADB is closely monitoring the situation in Myanmar and remains committed to supporting its people.
ADB remains deeply concerned about recent developments in Myanmar and will continue to consult with shareholders and other stakeholders on any operations in the country.
Myanmar became an ADB member in 1973. ADB supported the country’s national strategies and priority programs in collaboration with other development partners to establish a stronger foundation for sustainable economic growth and poverty reduction. ADB reengaged with the country in early 2012. Since the reengagement, ADB had provided multiple assistance packages mainly to support improvements in agriculture, human capital, and rural development; energy; and transport.
ADB had committed 120 public sector loans, grants, and technical assistance totaling $3.7 billion to Myanmar. Cumulative loan and grant disbursements to Myanmar amount to $2.18 billion. These were financed by regular and concessional ordinary capital resources, the Asian Development Fund, and other special funds. ADB’s ongoing sovereign portfolio in Myanmar includes 18 loans and 2 grants worth $2.44 billion.
Nonsovereign operations. Total outstanding balances and undisbursed commitments of ADB’s nonsovereign transactions in Myanmar as of 31 December 2021 were $702.49 million representing 5% of ADB’s total private sector portfolio.
Operational challenges. Myanmar faced significant development challenges including deficits in infrastructure and human, challenges in maintaining macroeconomic and fiscal stability, and the need to accelerate reforms. These challenges have been exacerbated by the pandemic, political uncertainties, and global economic shifts. ADB has temporarily put on hold sovereign project disbursements and new contracts in Myanmar effective 1 February 2021. The bank is closely monitoring the situation in Myanmar and remains committed to supporting the people of Myanmar.
The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic and associated restrictions have adversely impacted major sectors of Myanmar’s economy. Both investment and consumption declined sharply, and trade disruptions and mobility restrictions hampered business operations, especially manufacturing sectors. ADB supported Myanmar in mitigating the health, social, and economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. The path to recovery will be challenging, given uncertainties in the global economic outlook and the political uncertainties that Myanmar faces.
To improve the quality and efficiency of knowledge services, the bank provided knowledge support to Myanmar primarily through economic, sector-related, and technical assistance operations.
ADB collaborated with key development partners in Myanmar, particularly in the areas of infrastructure, macroeconomic management, private sector development, and human capital development. ADB actively participated in the Cooperation Partners Group and engaged in regular dialogue with other development partners. ADB also engaged with selected development partners in joint country portfolio review dialogue.
ADB Projects in Myanmar Project data sheets for loans, grants, TAs
Number of Shares Held
57,810 (0.54% of total shares)
Votes
96,924 (0.73% of total membership, 1.12% of total regional membership)
*Overall capital subscription
$809.1 million
*Paid-in capital subscription
$40.48 million
* United States dollar figures are valued at rate as of 31 December 2021.
Nay Pyi Taw Office
Park Royal Hotel, Gangaw Villa
13/14 Hotel Zone, Dekhina Thiri Township
Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar
Tel: +95 67 8106280-86
Fax: +95 67 3407563
Yangon Office
Union Business Center, Room 0405, 4th Floor
Nat Mauk Road, Bo Cho Quarter, Bahan Township
Yangon, Myanmar
Tel: +95 1 543426
Fax: +95 1 8603439
Financing partnerships enable ADB’s partner governments or their agencies, multilateral institutions, and private organizations to participate in ADB projects. The additional funds may be in the form of loans and grants, technical assistance, and nonsovereign cofinancing.
Cumulative cofinancing commitments in Myanmar:
The Asian Development Bank remains deeply concerned about recent developments in Myanmar, especially the loss of life during civil protests. These events will have a serious impact on the country’s economic and social development.
Climate change is an existential threat, but it also represents a massive opportunity for Southeast Asia to pursue low-carbon economic growth.
Private sector capital needs to be mobilized to bridge the climate financing gap. This requires new innovative approaches to attract private sector investment in green projects.
ADB is deploying nature-based solutions to help developing member countries address climate change risks while protecting the environment and ensuring benefits for people.