BIMSTEC, India & Cambodia can bring Peace-Prosperity in Myanmar and in the Region
Innovative thinking & alternative platforms are required for the benefit of all. Did ASEAN increase economic imbalances in the region? Can ASEAN be really effective?
BIMSTEC is the right platform for India, Myanmar, Thailand & Cambodia to partner to bring in peace-prosperity in Myanmar and in the Region.
No institution, associations, or clubs are meant to be forever. They are not sacrosanct. And here is a genuine need for Innovative Thinking and alternate platforms. Here BIMSTEC — Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Thailand Economic Cooperation — stands out; Cambodia can be a special (guest) member.
Like people, countries are also member of various associations/clubs.
Members can leave, or can continue to be a member while preferring one association over the other depending on their changing requirements and environment.
At this point in time, what we all need is Innovative — out of the box — Thinking and alternative platforms to solve any festering crisis so that situations on the ground can be alleviated and more people can prosper.
Peace and Prosperity must prevail and most people must be benefited.
Economic Interests of Singapore & ASEAN: historical facts
ASEAN has been unduly much more beneficial for Singapore. Yes, Singapore [though tiny w.r.t. total area and populations], has been getting much more economic benefits (out of ASEAN) than any other member states.
One example: The economic gains of Singapore by virtue of hosting ASEAN Regional HQs of most multinational corporations [operating in ASEAN block] in Singapore.
— Are the above Facts correct?
How Important is “Hosting Regional HQ” of Global Companies?
Reference: RHQ Programme of Saudi Arabia
We all can easily refer to the Regional Headquarter (“RHQ”) Programme of Saudi Arabia to properly comprehend the facts, and be able to quantify the benefit of “Hosting Regional HQ of Global Companies”
RHQ program invites global companies’ regional headquarters to relocate to Saudi Arabia.
It is a major development strategy for the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia:
“…The Regional Headquarter (“RHQ”) Programme is a ‘Vision 2030’ initiative jointly developed by the Ministry of Investment Saudi Arabia (“MISA”) and the Royal Commission for Riyadh City (“RCRC”), with the objective of inviting global companies to establish or relocate their regional headquarters in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia…”
What are the Options for Myanmar, Thailand & Cambodia
Will Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia and others let this “unjust economic benefits of Singapore out of ASEAN” continue at the expense of their own countries — and risk suffering at the whims of a few countries/politicians who are influencing (and profiting out of) Singapore’s Financial & Logistics Hub?
No, it can’t continue forever because that’s suicidal economic-security policy.
Myanmar, Thailand and Cambodia can all gain many fold by developing Dawei-Andaman as Logistical Hub, upstream of the Strait of Malacca, i.e., Singapore.
Now, developing Dawei-Andaman Logistical Hub & SEZ Projects are more feasible — financially and geopolitically.
Myanmar’s neighbors — who share maritime borders near Dawei — India & Thailand should cooperate with Cambodia for peace & prosperity in Myanmar. And partner developing Dawei-Andaman Logistical Hub & SEZ Projects.
Disturbed Myanmar is beneficial for many, including Singapore.
Cambodia the Catalyst, and BIMSTEC can bring Peace-Prosperity
As we have noted: “ASEAN has been unduly much more beneficial for Singapore”.
ASEAN is still a Club.
Most diplomats and experts who have experience in Club-hopping, know that some Clubs often become NOT viable for the future because of many reasons, including:
— Shifting Patrons, “and/or” Re-development, and
— Continued Unequal Gains for the Promoters.
Dawei-Andaman: India, Myanmar & Thailand
Myanmar’s neighbors, India & Thailand — who share maritime borders near Dawei — should cooperate with Cambodia and Myanmar for peace & prosperity in Myanmar and in the region.
And they need to simultaneously work on Economic Diplomacy and partner developing Dawei-Andaman Logistical Hub & SEZ Projects, on priority.
India need to proactively initiate and participate.
This also underpins India’s:
— Neighbourhood and Act East Policies, and
Can Singapore Ban/Restrict It’s Ports Services?
Recently Singapore — based on political/moral principles OR due to Other Economic Reasons best known to PM Lee Government — has imposed Economic Sanction against a third country — Russia.
Similarly, can Singapore ban/restrict some other countries from using it’s Ports (sea ports & airports) Services in the near future?
High Potential:
Singapore can restrict any time, with continued volatile geopolitics.
Among other countries, India — along with Myanmar, Thailand & Cambodia — need to evaluate the Risks and quickly develop “Feasible Better Alternative”.
And the best solution for the future is around Dawei-Andaman.
Myanmar — People, Business & Regional Stability
Over 54 million Myanmar people will continue to need quality goods and services. These demands will continue to increase. Businesses in Myanmar need to fulfill the growing demands of Myanmar people. And Myanmar companies need continued support from foreign businesses, suppliers, exporters & importers and professionals.
Here comes India’s shared border, common interests and responsibilities to cooperate with India’s Eastern neighbours sharing land and maritime borders.
The Neighbourhood First policy is a core component of India’s foreign policy. India’s Policy & Responsibility is NOT just Look (for decades) but Act East, fast.
India need to prioritize on Myanmar & Thailand, before going any farther down the Strait of Malacca.
Let’s not forget that India — in addition to land border of over 1600 Km — also shares maritime border with Myanmar, Thailand and Indonesia upstream of the Strait of Malacca.
Notes on BIMSTEC & ASEAN
ASEAN will face increasing challenges to maintain cohesion or even to survive meaningfully with the changing geopolitics, technological advances and alternative financial inter-connectivity impacting trade & investment.
ASEAN can no longer maximize value for all member states. For example:
Disturbed Myanmar is beneficial for many, including Singapore. There are historical proofs, well documented by many Western Experts who worked on “Western Sanctions induced imbalances in Regional Economic Developments in Asia”.
— Dawei-Andaman Projects can significantly diminish the economic importance of “the Strait of Malacca, the main shipping channel between the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean, …”
— Dawei -Andaman Projects are consequently going to adversely affect Singapore’s port, financial center and a few who are heavily invested in the city state.
Statistically, ASEAN has been a “Zero Sum / Negative Sum” Game, and no longer have prospects of being a Positive Sum Game, based on economics.
BIMSTEC+ is a Positive Sum Game and will remain a Positive Sum Game for all members.
BIMSTEC does not have ASEAN’s problems and can easily invite Cambodia and other countries as Guest Member to maximize value for all.
Dawei-Andaman Logistical Hub and SEZ projects
India need to proactively initiate and act swiftly. And preferably prioritize developing Dawei-Andaman Logistical Hub and SEZ projects
Why wait for China to cooperate as well? China may have different calculus to maximize “China’s Opportunities Only” competing with Myanmar and other neighbours of Myanmar — again can be a “Negative Sum Game” set-up.
Building Chinese infrastructure connectivity is good. Singapore’s Logistic Hub may seem to be efficient and sustainable.
And future Big Risks likely to come due to dependence on “any one(/two) country” for infrastructure/logistics/banking connectivity, just like now, ‘Weaponization of US $’ because of US $ Dominance in trade & investment.
Laos, Cambodia, Thailand, Myanmar, India, et. al. should take a note. Here comes the importance of jointly developing — a better alternative — Dawei-Andaman Logistical Hub and SEZ projects.
The Dawei-Andaman Logistical Hub and SEZ projects can start profitably with only a few billion US$, if planned strategically in proper sequence and development is staggered based on strategic economic requirements to ensure comparative growth.
Selecting Plants to Grow? — Check climate & soil
Politicians and policymakers need to learn from Farmers: An area’s climate [including soil, etc.] affects the types of plants that can grow there.
Any body, who is not convinced and determined to pursue their own firm ideas (or foment troubles in the neighbourhood) — they may first do Scientific Field Trials.
Well-documented Field Trials — recommended:
First try experimenting “west/best ideas and political philosophies” in a much SMALLER area than that of Myanmar; for example, can try “experimenting / implementing” in Singapore. No, no goofing up facts, and “No False Advertorials”, please.
NOTES (which may attract debates):
— The basis of the so called business friendly “Political Stability in Singapore” is practically based on Authoritarian Dynastic Regime; in the name of democracy, LKY successfully secured western cooperation & partnership [which no other person could secure] to establish a ?democratic? dynastic authoritarian regime. And, this decade can reconfirm LKY’s unique success — as and when — next generation progresses to be a Singaporean Minister/PM.
— Soon People around the world will start receiving insights from the experts on “Singaporean Gov Operating System on Paper and in Practice”.
Don’t let Problems in Myanmar fester like that in, for example, Ukraine.
I believe in the potential of the Prosperity in Myanmar; peace and prosperity that can overflow from Myanmar to Thailand, India, Cambodia and beyond.
MiTA: management, innovation, and technology applications
About Me, Dr. Madhab Paul — the Generalist
I have been in the region for over 15 years after a brief stint in Nigeria (Africa). Prior to that I worked — in various capacities — for a Government of India Enterprise based in New Delhi.
I am an Indian engineer (PhD) and businessman who started getting curious and started knowing more about Singapore (and Singaporean Business Models), Thailand, Cambodia, Myanmar and the Region, [about which I got a good introduction at the Asian Institute of Management (AIM), Philippines, while studying my full-time Masters in Management, during 2005–2006].
Many Wealth Managers & Investment Bankers from Multinational Organizations, Policy Makers, Economic Diplomats, and Corporate CXOs often contact me for business: — investment, joint-venture, M&A, digital strategy and business expansion, specially in Myanmar and India.
I believe in the potential of the Prosperity in Myanmar; peace and prosperity that can overflow from Myanmar to Thailand, India, Cambodia and beyond [info: India shares maritime border also with Myanmar & Thailand].
Dr. Madhab Paul — Professional Profile
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