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Continuation of Country Commercial (r)



Subject: Continuation of Country Commercial guides FY 1999:CHAPTER IX.

BUSINESS TRAVEL
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Country Commercial Guides 
FY 1999: Burma 

CHAPTER IX.  BUSINESS TRAVEL

Travel Advisory

Recent political turmoil in Burma, including small-scale
demonstrations on August 24, 1998, lead the U.S. Embassy to
believe that the possibility of further unrest cannot be dis-
counted.  U.S. citizens should stay alert and take precautions
to avoid being caught up in any confrontations that may occur.

In August 1998 six Americans and twelve other foreign nationals
were tried and convicted by a Burmese court on charges of
spreading false news by allegedly distributing political
literature.  All were sentenced to five years in prison at hard
labor.  The sentences were then suspended by the court and all
were deported.  The Government of Burma has informed the govern-
ments of those involved that anyone who performs similar acts
in the future will be subject to imprisonment.  American tourists
have reported being stopped, searched and questioned about their
activities in Burma.

Travelers are urged to take these factors into consideration in
connection with any plans to visit Burma.  The U.S. Embassy in
Rangoon advises American citizens to exercise caution and to
avoid large crowds or demonstrations.  All American citizens
traveling to or residing in Burma are strongly advised to stay
in contact with the Embassy's consular section at (95-1) 282-055
or (95-1) 282056, extension 320.

Visas

Business visas are normally valid for 10 weeks.  The application
process for business visas varies from one week to one month,
depending on the country where the visa is obtained and whether
application is made in person or through the mail.  Tourist visas
are valid for 28 days. A transit visa is valid for 24 hours only.
Children over 7 years mentioned in the passport of a parent must
hold a separate visa.

Since 18 foreign pro-democracy activists were detained in Rangoon
in the summer of 1998, visas to visit Burma have been increasingly
difficult to obtain.  Visitors have been questioned about their
intended activities in Burma.  Visas are rarely granted to foreign
journalists.  A minimum of one week should be allowed for the
issuance of tourist visas.  Those arriving without visas may be
deported.

International Connections

Myanmar Airways International (MAI), Silk Air (subsidiary of
Singapore Air),  Biman (Bangladesh), Air China (CAAC) and Thai
Airways provide direct service to Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Kunming,

Jakarta, Hong Kong, Bangkok, Dhaka and China.  Japan Airlines
(JAL) provides direct flights between Burma and Japan via Bangkok
and All Nippon Airline (ANA) provides direct flights to Osaka
via Bangkok three times a week.  An Indonesian airline and Air
India are also expected to provide direct flight services to Burma.

Myanmar Airways and Air Mandalay provide service within Burma
between Yangon, Mandalay, Bagan, Heiho and Taunggyi.  American
nationals should note that the safety records of domestic airlines
in Burma are poor.  Myanmar Airways experienced two fatal crashes
within the past year.  The Embassy advises Americans to avoid flying
on Myanmar Airways if at all possible.

Singapore is the most important gateway for transshipment of goods
to and from the United States -- Myanma Five Star, American
President Lines and other foreign vessels handle such shipments.

Airport Controls/Customs

Personal baggage can be subject to a thorough search and x-ray
both on arrival and departure.  All valuables such as cameras,
radios, tape recorders, and jewelry must be declared on entry,
and full duty must be paid on any item left in the country, for
whatever reason (including loss or theft).  Departing tourists
who declared over $2,000 on arrival must have receipts for all
items purchased in Burma and the amounts of their purchases must
tally with the amount of foreign currency exchanged for kyat or
FEC.  An airport departure tax of $10 or FEC 10 is levied on all
travelers upon departure.

Foreign Exchange Controls/Procedures

The Burmese government is strict in enforcing customs and
currency control regulations.  There is no limit to the amount
of foreign currency and travelers' checks that can be brought
into Burma, but any amount over $2,000 must be declared on the
customs and currency declaration form.  No kyat may be brought
into or taken out of Burma.  The penalty for violation of these
laws is a six-month minimum prison sentence and/or a fine.

Foreign Exchange Certificates (FECs) have been in circulation
since 1993.  Officially FEC 1.00 is equivalent to USD 1.00,
although on the open market FECs trade at a 20 point discount on
average.  FECs are legal tender within Burma.  They are commonly
accepted by hotels and major restaurants, but their acceptance
by merchants varies.  Most visitors arriving on tourist visas
must exchange $300 into FEC upon arrival at the airport.

U.S. dollars can be exchanged for FECs at the legal exchange
centers, including those at the airport, hotels, state-owned
banks, counters run by Myanmar Hotels and Tourism Services and
those counters run by FEC exchange license holders in Rangoon's
main tourist market, Bogyoke Aung San or "Scott" market.

Dollars can be exchanged for kyat at the official market counter
at Theinbyu Street in Rangoon at the "official market rate"
of kyat 300/dollar, as of September 1998.  The black market
rate for dollars was about kyat 370/dollar in September 1998.
However, it is illegal for Burmese nationals to hold dollars.
With authorizations, Burmese nationals may hold FEC.


Travelers' checks and credit cards have limited use in Burma
and are only accepted at select locations such as the inter-
national hotels to pay bills and to obtain FEC.  It is extremely
difficult to cash personal checks in Burma.  American Express,
Visa, Diners Club and JCB credit cards are accepted at a few
select locations. Mastercard withdrew its operations in Burma in
August 1998.

Language

Burmese is the official language, although some Burmese speak
English.

Health and Food

Water is not potable, even for brushing teeth.  Visitors should
avoid dairy products and uncooked or undercooked meat and
vegetables.  Visitors should consult their physician or local
health authorities for a list of recommended immunizations prior
to arrival.  Although malaria is not a problem in Rangoon,
malaria suppressants should be taken if traveling to most parts
of the country.

[end of document]

Source:US Dept of State