On Nov. 12, President Barack Obama called President Thein Sein to congratulate the Myanmar people "for their participation in the historic parliamentary election ... The President commended the efforts of the Union Election Commission and others in the government for their work with political parties, civil society and the media to overcome the significant challenges in organizing and conducting the election. The two leaders discussed the importance for all parties to respect the official results once announced and to work together with a spirit of unity to form an inclusive, representative government that reflects the will of the people."

President Obama also spoke over the phone with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, in which he, "commended her for her tireless efforts and sacrifice over so many years to promote a more inclusive, peaceful and democratic Myanmar ... The President noted that the election and formation of a new government could be an important step forward in Myanmar’s democratic transition and the effort to forge a more peaceful and prosperous future."

Secretary of State John Kerry issued a statement on Myanmar’s elections, saying, “The United States congratulates the people of Myanmar on the November 8 election and commends all of the people and institutions in the country who worked together to hold a peaceful and historic poll. Millions of people from around the country, many of whom were voting for the first time, seized this opportunity to move one step closer to a democracy that respects the rights of all – a testament to the courage and sacrifice shown by the people of Myanmar over many decades.”

EU High Representative/Vice-President Federica Mogherini released a statement on the elections, saying: “General elections in Myanmar mark a historic milestone on the country's road to democracy. For the first time in decades, elections were contested by all major political parties in an overall calm, peaceful and organized way across the country … As a close partner and friend, the European Union is ready to further support Myanmar in its ongoing political transition to democracy, peace, stability and economic development.”

President Thein Sein on Nov. 15 convened a meeting with representatives of all 91 parties involved in the recent elections to assure them that he would oversee a smooth transition of power in a process that will continue until the opening months of next year. “The stability of the transition depends not only on the government, but also on the parties,” the president said, acknowledging that the new majority party would lead for the sake of the people, but that the minority parties must check and balance the government’s power.

“We have done our best over the past five years,” he said, citing reforms such as currency stability, the independence of the Central Bank, the foreign investment law and the signing of a peace accord by several ethnic armed groups. “The next government should continue to build on these good foundations,” he said.

Myanmar’s transition of power to the new government will be “carried out smoothly,” President Thein Sein said Nov. 15. “As promised, the government has held free elections,” the president added in Yangon at a meeting with representatives of the National League for Democracy, winner of the recent election, and other parties. Power will be transferred “systematically to the new government and there should be no worries regarding with this. I will do it to be smoothly and calmly,” he said.

More than 11,000 domestic observers and 1,000 international observers were accredited to observe Myanmar’s general elections. Among these numbers were 19 ASEAN representatives from electoral management bodies from Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Lao People’s Democratic Republic and Timor-Leste, as well as three representatives from the ASEAN secretariat. On the morning following the election, the ASEAN delegation presented its oral report to the UEC Chairman U Tin Aye, congratulating the commission on the work of polling officials and in holding a smooth and peaceful election.

After decades of being closed off from the rest of the world, Myanmar began a process of reforms in November of 2010, when the government moved from strict military rule to a military-backed civilian government. Then in 2011, the government freed thousands of political prisoners, began to loosen censorship rules and even allowed internet access for the first time. It was these reforms that brought more foreigners and Western companies into the country, including Canadian Rita Nguyen.

In an exclusive interview with The Nation, Maung Maung Lay, a vice president of the Union of Myanmar Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry (UMFCCI), said this was a political manifesto - all political parties are pro-business. He was elated that the election had gone smoothly and said the private sector was prepared to tell the new government - likely to be formed and announced on April 1 - what it needs to do to support further economic development and foreign direct investment (FDI).

Myanmar’s banking sector reached a key milestone last year when it decided to open its doors to foreign banks for the first time, consequently summoning the attention of the international banking community. In the months since, Myanmar’s performance within the sector has been extraordinary, yet the lion’s share of growth has been spearheaded by experienced local names. Of the banks that have contributed to the industry’s development so far, none has played a more important part than AYA Bank.

It was like stepping back into history, where the pace of life has stilled. The landscape of slender-tipped stupas slowly unfolded as we travelled all morning from the towns of Nyaung Shwe to Shwe Inn Dein. On the banks more pagodas punctured the skyline with their tiered towers and bulbous stupas flaunted glistening golden domes, rich red brickwork and blinding whitewash. In the World Heritage Site of Bagan alone there are more than 2,000 temples, monasteries, stupas and pagodas built by self-aggrandizing monarchs dating back to the ninth century and a point to worship for Buddhists.

If you haven’t taken the train in Myanmar, you haven’t actually been there. Compared to bus trips on the same routes, taking the train means extra travel time, but it’s worth it. Local cuisines to brewery; mountains, rivers to jungles; culturally diverse people to backpackers from across the globe; sleepy tiny train stations to junctions – they all have a story to tell. Their stories are to be seen and observed. You can’t hear them.