At the US-ASEAN Business Council Annual Gala on June 15, Deputy Secretary of State Antony Blinken touched on his recent trip to Myanmar, saying, “In Myanmar, nascent democratic progress has unlocked vast economic potential … In 2010, US bilateral trade with Myanmar totaled $9.7 million. Just four years later, it’s grown 19-fold to $185 million. And of course, the potential is virtually limitless.” He also noted that the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) recently approved a telecommunications deal with the country, providing “literally the potential to connect all the people of that country and to connect them with the world.”

Myanmar’s ruling Union party is working to address democratic reforms, submitting a bill to parliament on June 10 that would allow lawmakers to proceed with amending a draft law on constitutional reform. In addition to other sections of the draft bill – such as requiring 70 percent of lawmakers’ support to amend the constitution, instead of 75 percent – the bill also calls for state and division chief-ministers to be selected by parliament rather than appointed directly by the president.

Myanmar National Airlines has received its first Boeing 737-800 from GE Capital Aviation Services (GECAS). The airline says it will use the aircraft to expand its network outside Myanmar; it currently flies to 29 domestic destinations across the country using a mix of smaller airlines. “The new aircraft will allow us to expand our network to international markets ... and positions us for future success,” Myanmar National CEO Than Tun said.

Myanmar plans to make upgrades to domestic airports including Myitkyina, Putao, Bamaw and Naungmon. With a budget of USD$1.93 million, these improvements follow prior upgrades made in 2015 and are meant to bolster the country’s secondary airports as tourism to Myanmar grows.

Encouraged by Myanmar’s transition to democracy, foreign aid donors across the board have been increasing both the scale and scope of their assistance to the Southeast Asian country. According to Devex analysis of OECD data, programmable official development assistance (ODA) to Myanmar has increased tenfold since 2009, reaching $3.8 billion in 2013.

A team of Japanese and Chinese biologists has discovered a new species of crocodile newt from Myanmar, a forerunner of a wave of new amphibian species awaiting description as the relatively unexplored country’s “hidden biodiversity” is gradually revealed by science. Newts are similar to salamanders, another type of aquatic amphibian.

The UN’s cultural agency has named Inle Lake, with its diverse plants and animals and floating gardens, as Myanmar's first biosphere reserve to help safeguard natural ecosystems while promoting sustainable economic development. Boatsmen on the lake are famous for their unique style of rowing with one leg, and floating gardens, mostly producing tomatoes, are cultivated, helping make the lake one of the Southeast Asian country's most popular tourist destinations.

Myanmar is a destination quickly growing in popularity among travelers. Which is why it makes sense to familiarize yourself with its cuisine.  Myanmar cuisine is a fusion of Thai, Indian, Chinese and a mixture of smaller local tribal influences like “Shan,” “Mon” and others. The top 18 dishes you need to know about include Mohinga, Pualong snack and ginger salad.

Standing on the podium to receive her bronze medal for the women's singles competition at the Southeast Asian Games, Thet Khin Cherry, 20, announced herself as a top petanque newcomer from Myanmar. Just three years ago, Cherry was an ordinary teenager living in the Mon state of Myanmar, oblivious to the sport, a form of boules; after choosing to train full time in the capital of Naypyitaw, her investment in petanque is starting to pay off. "It turned out to be the best decision I've ever made, and my life has changed so much since,” said Cherry.