AustCham Myanmar is an independent, not-for-profit organisation that brings together Australian and Myanmar businesses, professionals and partners. We support responsible trade and investment, build practical connections and promote long-term, sustainable economic ties between our two countries.

AustCham Myanmar was recognised as Asia Pacific Small Chamber of the Year in 2017, an award that reflected our commitment to innovation, member engagement and meaningful contribution to the regional business community. The recognition also highlighted our diverse membership base and our role in supporting informed policy dialogue during Myanmar’s development.

Through our partnerships with international chambers and leading business associations in Myanmar, we provide members with a credible platform, a strong economic network and opportunities to engage with key stakeholders across the region.

 

Navigating the Future Together

In today’s complex global and local landscape, AustCham Myanmar has evolved into a symbol of strategic resilience. While we celebrate our history of rapid growth including a record-breaking 50% increase in membership in our early years our current focus is on providing stability and "ground-truth" intelligence for our members.

 

Ethical Navigation
Helping businesses uphold international standards and responsible investment practices.

 

Community & Peer Support
Creating a safe, collaborative space where professionals can connect, share experience and build capability together.

 

Consistent Communication
Keeping our network connected and informed through regular updates, including monthly newsletters featuring chamber activities, member insights and key economic developments.

 

Whether you are an established business, a growing organisation or an individual professional, AustCham Myanmar offers the connections, advocacy and insight to help you engage with confidence and be part of a supportive business community.

 

The Chamber is a not-for-profit organisation which aims to promote responsible bilateral trade and investment between Australia and Myanmar and promote closer economic ties between the two countries.

The outcomes the Chamber aims to achieve are four fold:

 

1. Knowledge Sharing. Regularly hosting various events at which businesses, regulators, NGOs and others inform and educate members on investment, trade and commerce, laws, regulations, processes and procedures, CSR and other issues relevant to the conduct of business operations.
2. Advocacy. Serving as an effective vehicle for its members to voice their comments, concerns and regulatory proposals through its connections to decision makers in all branches of government.
3. Networking. Providing its members with quality events which afford ample opportunity for making useful connections, strengthening collaborations and forging friendships.
4. Capacity Building and Responsible Investment. Promoting responsible investment in Myanmar by sharing Australian best practice and assisting in capacity building in the private and public sectors in Myanmar.

Since 2013, the membership growth allowed the Chamber to expand substantially and to deliver more benefits and strategic opportunities for our members. Outcomes delivered included strengthening and growing our organisation.

 

Shaping Policy & Engagement with Parties

AustCham Myanmar bridges local expertise with our international business network to deliver actionable intelligence and foster responsible investment. By collaborating with local associations, civil society, and industry groups, we transform ground-level insights into practical value for our members.

 

How We Leverage Local Knowledge

 

Contextual Intelligence: Translating on-the-ground updates and community insights into actionable member briefings.

Inclusive Advocacy: Partnering with local associations and diversity coalitions to address shared regulatory and operational challenges.

Knowledge Exchange: Co-hosting targeted workshops and peer-learning sessions to promote international best practices and workplace equality.

 

Past Event & Achievements (2013–2021)

1. Brisbane, Australia, November 2014 – Hosted the President of Myanmar and members of the Australian business community at an executive dinner during the 2014 G20 Summit in Brisbane.
2. Yangon, Myanmar, May 2016 - Hosted the inaugural Women in Business Leadership and Development Conference in Yangon, attracting over 620 attendees and featuring more than 30 inspirational speakers. Partially funded by the Australian Government, the success of this event established it as an annual conference through 2018.
3. Yangon, Myanmar, March 2017 - Co-hosted the first Myanmar Women’s Week, highlighted by a job-readiness training program for over 250 women that garnered national media coverage.
4. Held member briefings in Myanmar on topics including:
   • 2016 - IFC Briefing on the Investment Environment
   • 2016 - Careers in Communications
   • 2016 - Myanmar Labour and Taxation Law
   • 2016 - The implications of the lifting of the US Sanctions (Part 1 and 2)
   • 2017 - Myanmar Investment Law Rules and Regulations
   • 2017 - Draft Foreign Workers Law
5. Yangon, Myanmar, 2016–2017 - Continued Phase 2 of the Responsible Investment Working Group.
6. Yangon, Myanmar, September 2017 – Hosted the Driving Sustainable Energy Seminar in Yangon in collaboration with the World Bank. The event addressed Myanmar’s growing electricity demands and rural electrification challenges, focusing on sustainable development frameworks, public-private partnerships, and financing mechanisms.
7. 2017 – In line with AustCham Myanmar’s core mission, the chamber delivered Building Resilient Managers training to support professional skill development, corporate governance, and sustainable business operations in the region.
8. 2016–2017: Launched high-impact English Training Programs across Myanmar corporations in collaboration with UMFCCI.
9. 2017 – China’s One Belt One Road briefing seminar
10. Melbourne & Sydney, Australia, July 2017 - Hosted Myanmar Market Update briefings in Melbourne and Sydney, featuring U Aung Naing Oo (Director General of DICA) to discuss the new Investment and Companies Law.
11. 2014–2020 (Ongoing/Annual): Hosted regular social networking events throughout the year in collaboration with partner foreign chambers in Myanmar.
12. Annual (January & April): Hosted signature social networking events to commemorate Australia Day and ANZAC Day.
13. 2017–2018 - Hosted joint social networking events in collaboration with the Myanmar Young Entrepreneurs Association (MYEA).
14. 2017 - Attended meetings with the Mandalay Chamber of Commerce in Mandalay to start arranging Mandalay delegation visit to Chamber members in Yangon.

Past Policy Engagements & Achievements (2013–2021)

We have a proven track record of using local knowledge, joint advocacy, and strategic partnerships to shape a responsible, sustainable business environment:

Advocay Enagement Phase (1) stage: Focuses on direct engagement through targeted multi-stakeholder consultations, collaborative working workshops to address key regulatory priorities, and structured outreach designed to capture vital private sector feedback and build a unified industry voice.

 

Responsible Investment Working Group (Phase 2): Convened over 18 Australian and Myanmar leaders across business, government, and CSOs. • The group produced the "Incentivising Shared Value" policy paper, submitted proposed amendments to the Occupational Safety and Health Law, and delivered key recommendations on the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process.

 

Myanmar Mining Delegation to Australia (May 2017): Co-hosted a high-level delegation to Perth, Melbourne, and Brisbane alongside Austrade and the Australian Government. We accompanied the Minister of MONREC, six senior ministry officials, and Myanmar organizational leaders to build capacity and foster bilateral ties with Australian mining experts.

 

Joint Foreign Worker Law Advocacy: Led and joined a unified coalition with international chambers to advocate the members against the proposed draft Foreign Workers Law. This collective policy engagement successfully resulted in the draft legislation being shelved by Parliament.

 

Partnership with Austrade (2013-2021)

From 2013 to 2021, AustCham Myanmar worked closely with the Australian Trade and Investment Commission (Austrade) to foster stronger economic and business relationships between Australia and Myanmar. Together, we brought businesses from both countries closer, creating valuable opportunities for collaboration, trade, investment, and long-term partnership through a strong and influential business network.

 

Interested in co-hosting a session or exploring strategic collaboration?

We would love to hear from you. Contact our Policy & Engagement team at info@austchammyanmar.com.