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State Law and Order
Restoration Council (SLORC), a military junta, took over
the reins of government. The new regime effected a
complete ‘volte-face’ in policy. SLORC announced an end
to socialism and one-party rule, promised multiparty
democratic elections and a market-oriented, open door
economy. Investment by both the private and co-operative
sectors — local and foreign — has been stimulated with
the promulgation of the Foreign Investment Law and the
National Investment Law. Reform measures have been
carried out in the fields of trade, finance, banking,
investment and production.
Many foreign and local
entrepreneurs have been quick to avail themselves of the
chance to participate in various private and co-operative
enterprises.
Development of
the tourism industry has been encouraged
with the passage of the
Myanmar Hotel
and Tourism Law. No effort is
being spared to attract visitors and to
ensure they are welcomed.
The government’s sweeping reforms encompass
the whole country,
including remote
border areas. The infrastructure in cities,
towns and villages throughout the country is
being strengthened, expanded, complemented
and modernized.
Various
projects to raise the standard and quality
of life for Myanmar's in such
wide-ranging spheres as religion, health
education,
art,
music,
sport, agriculture, animal husbandry,
fisheries and construction have been and
continue to be implemented.
As compared
to the pre military area, the hustle and
bustle of activity was evident almost
everywhere. This was in line with the
government’s aspirations to turn the country
into a modern and top-ranked Asian nation.
Changes and improvements, especially in
the large cities and towns are becoming more
noticeable. Overhead road and railway
bridges, river bridges, medium to high-rise
buildings, more up-to-date and comfortable
transport vehicles, wider and better
maintained roads, brightly painted and
eye-catching advertisements, sign boards and
bill boards are commonly visible in Yangon
and other large cities.
Gaily bedecked shops and stores filled
with consumer and luxury items, local
and foreign, are much in evidence and multi
colored neon signs light up the night.
Myanmar Hotel
, inns, motels, residential
buildings, restaurants, cafes and eateries
with attractive exterior and interior
fittings and decorations were springing up.
After so many years of apathy and neglect
something was happening.
One and two-storey buildings of the past
and the solid redbrick colonial buildings
of the capital
Yangon and
Mandalay,
the second largest city in Myanmar, still
exist in contrast with the new structures.
Miracles don’t happen overnight, it takes
time for all worthwhile endeavors to bear
fruit, but even the most severe of the
military critics must admit that the right
starting steps have been taken at the
beginning of the 90- ties, unfortunately
with the “Asian & Myanmar Crisis” all this
came to a stop.
Myanmar, “The Golden Land” or “The Land of
Pagodas“,
still retains
the natural beauty of its suburban and rural
scenes to charm and captivate visitors.
Pagodas are present everywhere; in cities
and towns, villages and hamlets, on the
banks and sometimes right in rivers and
seas, perched atop hills and mountains, in
forests and glades, beside highways and
byways, gleaming golden or glinting white in
the sunlight and symbolizing the firm faith
in Theravada Buddhism.
  
  
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