Resource information
The Country Partnership Framework (CPF)
will succeed the Myanmar interim strategy note (FY13-14) and
be the first full country strategy for Myanmar since 1984.
This CPF comes at a time of great opportunity for Myanmar;
over the three year period covered in this CPF, the reforms
initiated in 2011 have the potential to bring Myanmar into a
new era of peace and prosperity. Myanmar s history, ethnic
diversity, and geography combine into a unique set of
development challenges and opportunities, including (i)
emergence from a long period of international isolation;
(ii) widespread poverty, despite rich land, water, and
mineral resource endowments; (iii) a strategic location in
the fastest-growing region in the world; (iv) the role of
the military and associated groups in the economy; and (v)
long standing armed conflict and ethnic and religious
tensions. Myanmar is on a path of fundamental
transformation, seeking to address all these challenges and
opportunities simultaneously. Along with unique
opportunities, the CPF supported program will also face
substantial risks. Political risks associated with the
elections in late 2015 include a polarization among
stakeholders, policy discontinuity, and a slow-down of
reforms. The national peace process to resolve decades-old
conflicts remains fragile. On the economic front, risks
include vulnerability to volatile oil and gas prices,
spending pressures, an underdeveloped financial sector, and
a weak regulatory framework, while overall capacity
constraints may limit the country s ability to effectively
manage macro-financial shocks. The design of the WBG program
will help manage and mitigate these risks, and the WBG will
regularly review risks and opportunities and adapt the CPF
during implementation as warranted. A performance and
learning review planned for late FY16 will facilitate the
adaptation of the WBG program to country developments as needed.
