Competitiveness of Myanmar's Jadeite Cluster

• Main Authors: Mung Myat Aung Tangmai, 孟彌安
• Other Authors: Chang, Chao-Ching
• Format: Others
• Language: en_US
• Published: 2019
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/3wf953

碩士 === 輔仁大學 === 國際創業與經營管理學程碩士在職專班 === 107 === Jade is well known for its beauty and precious to bring the flourishing luck in Chinese society and people around the world. This study is aimed to uncover how Myanmar, the origin of the world renown Jadeite, can leverage Jade Industry, a prominent industry in shaping local businesses and prosperity of the nation, in a way to boost sustainable economic development and as a result, how government and policy makers should implement the strategic considerations to be competitive against with the well-developed market in China. Jade industry was selected as Jadeite businesses is considered an economic pillar of Myanmar’s undeveloped economy for six decades and is a prominent form of livelihood and income for millions of people. According to World Bank Report. Myanmar is one of the world’s least economic development country, and the economy was estimated to grow at 6.4% in 2017/18 (World Bank Report). Within Myanmar, Hpakant is a large scale mechanized jade mining area which has been contributing 2% of GDP (EITI report in 2014) and 50% of GDP (Global Witness report in 2015), and the key industry along the past six decades of sanction imposed by United States. Myanmar is home to the world’s largest jadeite cluster: mining, polishing and exporting hub between miners, traders (from China), and the individual collectors (from Thailand, Korea, Japan). 80% of the world’s jade are produced and exported from Myanmar’s Kachin State and employs over a million people, most of whom are low-skilled and migrant workers (Asian Review, 2018). The Myanmar’s Jadeite cluster has developed on the strength of its competitive factor conditions: it’s rich in natural resources, low wages, and geographical location which stands between India and China and next to Thailand into international market, despite US’s sanction has been imposing on Myanmar’s gems. As the whole market was shifted to China, Myanmar’s Jadeite cluster is vulnerable due to China’s high tech processing and polishing techniques, innovative jewelry design, global marketing strategies, big capital investment in talent development and long standing history of jade within the society. To be competitive, the thesis will analysis the overall supply chain and how Myanmar government and policy makers push step forward to liberalize the market while investing in R&D, human resource development, financial infrastructure development, and seeking alternative market.