Australian Business Forum: Panel discussion on "Thailand as a platform for launching business in Myanmar"

AustCham is pleased to invite members and friends to its first Myanmar-focused Australian Business Forum (ABF) in Bangkok. The forum will take place as a panel discussion, with particular focus on “Thailand as a platform for launching business in Myanmar”. Our panel of speakers will be John Hancock, Myanmar Investment Counsellor, John Anderson, Managing Director of Meinhardt Myanmar Co., Ltd, and Thomas Kean, Editor at The Myanmar Times. David Armstrong, Honorary Advisor to the Board, will moderate the discussion.

• John Hancock, Myanmar Investment Counsellor. John has lived and worked in Thailand and other countries in the region for 45 years. Over time he has advised and managed numerous set-ups, acquisitions, sales and close-downs (with related disputes), primarily as Principal of Baker & McKenzie law firm. He is now chairman of John W. Hancock & Associates consultancy and is a board member of various public and private companies. John has seen and actively participated in the process of development of the Southeast Asian region. He is now pursuing and hoping to contribute to what he sees as an exciting and challenging new frontier of opportunity in Myanmar. John is well positioned to assess the current investment environment in Myanmar. He can also define the issues which need attention to enhance the chances of successful entry and operation in Myanmar, as well as the extent to which Thailand can be the launching platform.
  
  
• John Anderson, Managing Director of Meinhardt Myanmar Co., Ltd. Meinhardt is an expert engineering consultancy which offers full engineering consultancy services in civil, structural, electrical, mechanical and sanity engineering. It has had operations in Thailand since the early 1990s and recently made its move in to Myanmar. Drawing from his experience as a Director with Meinhardt (Thailand) Ltd. and Managing Director of Meinhardt Myanmar Co., Ltd, John is perfectly equipped to discuss the Myanmar business environment and how Thailand can be used as a launching pad into the region. John also has knowledge and experience on issues dealing with employees, business partners and working with Myanmar government agencies. With his on-the-ground experience, he will bring exceptional value to the discussion.
  
  
• Thomas Kean, Editor at The Myanmar Times (English Edition). Tom has worked at The Myanmar Times, a weekly newspaper based in Yangon, for more than six years. Published by Myanmar Consolidated Media since 2000, it has more than 350 employees, and bureaus in Nay Pyi Taw and Mandalay. In recent years the paper has won four awards for excellence in journalism from the Society of Publishers in Asia and is widely considered the leading English paper in the country. Tom has been editor of the English edition since January 2010, during which the newspaper has covered all major developments in the country, including the 2010 elections, conflict between Buddhists and Muslims, the re-emergence of Aung San Suu Kyi, and political, economic and social reforms undertaken by President Thein Sein’s government. Tom’s knowledge and on-the-ground experience in the Myanmar business environment is unique, and will without a doubt add great value to the discussion.
  

ABF activity is supported by funding from Austrade as part of the Asian Century Business Engagement Plan.  The views expressed herein are not necessarily the views of the Commonwealth of Australia, and the Commonwealth does not accept responsibility for any information or advice contained herein.