After decades of underperformance while under military rule, Myanmar is heading for a period of rapid growth, but much work still needs to be done to address the country’s infrastructure deficits, poverty and its underdeveloped banking sector.  

The Greater Mekong Delta sub-region of Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam has been posting stellar growth figures in recent years, and looks set to continue this trend. However, each country within the region has its own social, political and economic hurdles to overcome. Stefania Palma reports.

As Myanmar is welcomed back into the international fold, the implications for the Association of South-east Asian Nations, and Asia as a whole, could be huge if the country's economic and logistical potential is delivered upon.

Delegates at the annual Asian Development Bank meeting in Manila had their attention firmly focused upon another continent – Europe – and what the economic problems in the region may pose for its trade and financial activity in Asia.