Burmese translation agency

• Doing business in Burma

  Many countries in Asia are in the ascendant in economic terms. A country which has a great deal of potential but is not immediately considered is Burma (also referred to as Myanmar). The country has a population of 65 million and everything it needs to become a flourishing economy. The business culture, however, is very different to that of the United Kingdom. This article gives you some tips for doing business in Burma.

• Network culture and confidence

  The business culture in Burma is entirely focused on a network. It is, therefore, not advisable to be too direct. It can even be the case that you will not be expected to go too deeply into the subject of business at the first couple of meetings. Let the person to whom you are speaking take the initiative when going deeper into the subject. A lot is also handled by intermediaries. Make sure that you don’t underestimate these middlemen but instead handle them with respect. It is also important for them to involve you in various events so that they can get to know you better. Business relationships are based entirely on trust.

• Physical contact

  One of the most important things to realise is that the inhabitants of Burma are not used to physical contact. A handshake is quite naturally appropriate when meeting someone, but patting someone on the back, putting an arm around someone, or touching someone while laughing is inadvisable.

• Honour, family, and business culture

  The inhabitants of Burma are very proud. The most important thing they have is their pride. Consequently, the worst thing that can happen to someone is to have their pride affronted. Make sure that you are not the cause of any loss of face for your potential business partner. Ensure that you always meet agreements, arrive on time, and never make jokes at the cost of another. A mistake here can irrevocably damage negotiations. Family is also very important. Always ask politely how the family is doing in general terms, as this will be greatly appreciated in Burma. Furthermore, a company is often regarded by people as family. The boss is, therefore, often regarded as a father figure. It is quite possible that the business and private lives of people in Burma are intertwined. This may be difficult for people who are used to keeping their professional and private lives strictly separate, and it demands some flexibility.