According to a report of the UN from 2019 at least 120 companies will fall under MEC and MEHL. These include banks, construction companies, pharmaceuticals, tobacco producers and the tourism sector. Also, much of the ruby and jade mines are in the hands of the Tatmadaw, the official name of the Myanmar army.
“The military governments after 1962 have done everything they can to take control of the economy,” said Laetitia van den Assum, former ambassador to Myanmar. Precise numbers are unknown, but it is clear that much of the Tatmadaw’s revenues come from business. “They get 12 percent of the state budget. That’s a lot, but not enough to do what they are doing now.”
The influence that the Tatmadaw has on Myanmar’s economy is not unique. Countries like China, Ethiopia and Cuba also have conglomerates with strong ties to the armed forces.
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