FAQs

Company Registration

There are three main types of companies which can be registered under the Myanmar Companies Law of 2017.They are

  • a company limited by shares,
  • a company limited by guarantee or
  • an unlimited company.

The company registration fee is 150,000 Kyats for all types of private companies and 2,500,000 Kyats for public companies.

The company incorporating certificate will be issued after payment of the registration fees to DICA.

There is no minimum capital requirement when registering a company in Myanmar. Minimum requirement for banking, Insurance and securities companies should refer to the Central Bank of Myanmar, and Ministry of Planning and Finance.

DICA has no restrictions regarding the share proportion for joint ventures between Myanmar Citizens and foreigners. According to the Myanmar Investment Law 2012,  Section  20, local partner or Myanmar citizen must invest minimum 20% of share equities in the form of joint venture company. For detail information on allowed share proportions for joint ventures, please visit the Company Registration Division at DICA or write an email to [email protected].

In a private company, the transfer of shares is restricted, and the number of shareholders may range from a minimum of one to maximum of fifty. Public limited –liability companies must have a minimum of one to maximum of unlimited shareholders.

Unless further licenses are required from other relevant ministries and/or departments, private companies may being operations immediately after they have received their company incorporation certificate.

Public companies must apply for a Certificate for Commencement of Business instead of prospectus before they can being operations. After getting a Certificate for Commencement of Business, they can start the operation and after submitting the prospectus, they can invite the public share equities.

Company registration certificate has no validity.

Investment Application

According to the Myanmar Investment Rule 22 and notification No.15/2017 (c) the ratio must be 80% for the foreign and 20%  for citizens.

When applying for MIC permit, investors shall have to submit the following documents  attached:

  • Approval of  Ministry of  health and sports
  • Proposal form-2
  • Land rights authorization form(7-A)
  • Approval of  FDA
  • Machinery list to be imported or purchased locally
  • Recruitment of employees(local/foreign) 

Investor shall have to submit the agreement on production permit, using for brand and technical, inspection certificate of the parent company,Localization and production process for automobile manufacturing.

In accordance with the notification No.85/2017, MIC allow the permit for automobile manufacturing by the new SKD system.

For the purpose of supporting the development of the Union by allowing investment in sectors which need to be developed, and for the proportionate development of Regions and States, tax exemptions or reliefs can be granted to investors on a case by case basis. These can take the form of exemptions and reliefs from income tax, customs duty or internal taxes and the right to depreciation for the purpose of income tax assessment. Details on exemptions and reliefs applicable to investors are stipulated in sections 74, 75, 76,77 and 78 of the Myanmar Investment Law.

According to Myanmar Investment Rule 238, investors do not need to submit the proposal or endorsement application to the commission in case where Myanmar Citizen Investment is changed into foreign investment. Investors need to submit the amount of total investment, share ratios and machinery list (imported) for changing of investment form.

Investors can apply with proposal form-2, Application form for land rights  authorization form (7-A), raw materials conditions and other related documents.

An investor who obtains a Permit or an Endorsement under the MIL can get a long term land lease from private owners for private owned land/building or from the relevant government organizations for the state owned land/buildings. The initial leasing period is up to 50 years and it can be extended twice for 10 years respectively (a total of 20 years). Therefore, to get the right to use land, it is required that the investor undergo either the MIC Permit process or endorsement application process.

After obtaining Endorsement, licenses or permits from relevant ministries, government agencies and organizations might be needed depending on the nature of the business or other requirements. Then five (5) copies of all approvals, licenses, permits, Joint Venture Agreements and the Land Lease Agreements shall be submitted to the MIC.

According to Notification No.15/2017, all type of investments in agriculture are allowed 100 % foreign owned except cultivation of crops in agriculture land, distribution them to the local market and export.

For the joint venture investment in crops in agriculture land, distribution them to the local market and export, Myanmar citizen investor must contribute 20% minimum direct shareholding or equity.

It is allowed to export 100% of crops produced by JV investment.

It is allowed. In fact, the Joint Venture Company needs to mention clearly the plan of sale in detail for export of industrial crops as raw materials when they submit the proposal.

Land issue is the important factor for investment in agriculture sector, so the investor needs to do following things-

  • If the land is owned by farmer, the investor needs to do contract farming system with farmer.
  • If the investment project location is on vacant, fallow and virgin lands, the investor needs to attach the permit from the Vacant, Fallow and Virgin Lands Central Committee.
  • If the land is in the forest area, the investor needs to attach the permit issued by Forest Department.

Wood based industry can be applied with 100% foreign investment.According to the Notifications No-86/2017, wood-based industry which uses   raw materials from natural forest are being suspended.

For wood-based Industry, the following documents need to be submitted together with the application form;

  • Availability of raw materials

  • Plan for own plantation for raw material

Raw materials that cannot be obtained from local can be imported.  

In addition to the related documents attached with the proposal, the   following documents must be submitted in applying for the permit/       endorsement for food manufacturing-

  • Quality and types of food to  be produced
  • Sample photos of the product
  • Type of raw materials to be used

 

The investments included in the Notification. No. (15/2017) shall be formed a joint venture, with at least 20 % of the investment made by the local partner. Those investments which are not mentioned in the above notification can be carried out without restraints on the ownership ratio in forming JV.

In order to supply raw materials to the business of diary production, a foreign investor may make a further investment in cattle farming.

Manufacturing of alcoholic beverages is allowed. But it is necessary to       submit a letter that investor wants to invest in this kind of business.

According to the Notification No.15/2017, an investor can apply for MIC   permit/endorsement for the manufacturing of alcoholic beverages,          however, prior enquires to the ministries and departments in concern     should be made as it is necessary to obtain the approval and comments       from those organizations.

Manufacturing of alcoholic beverages could be carried out only in the        form of JV, with at least 20 % of the investment made by the local           partner.

According to the Notification No.51/2014, there is neither customs duty nor commercial tax exemption.

Production of canned food can only be carried out in the form of JV.

In addition to the related documents attached with the proposal, Waste Water  Treatment plan must also be needed.

According to the Notification No. 15/2017, livestock business can be carried out the in the form of joint venture with any Myanmar citizen or wholly foreign owned investment, with the approval of the relevant  Ministry.

Normal System is preserving and selling local and foreign as raw by catching in  local and importing of fish and prawns.

Contract Processing System is a business activity of preserving fish and prawns as raw materials provided by contractor.

 

The Proposal should be included the following things;

  • Proposal form (2)
  • Copy of company registration certificate
  • Copies of identification card/ passport
  • Financial documents (Bank statement)
  • Joint venture agreement (only in the form of JV)
  • List of machinery and equipment (to be imported)
  • List of raw materials
  • Land rights authorization (form 7-A)
  • Evidence of the land ownership
  • Land lease agreement (draft)
  • Location map/ layout plan
  • Recruitment of employees (local/foreign)
  • Social security for employees, social welfare plan, CSR program, firefighting plan
  • Production plan

Investment Division (3) is responsible for the following sectors:

  • Real Estate
  • Hotels & Tourism
  • Road construction with BOT system
  • Transportation and Communications
  • Industrial zone and new city development

Generally, all sector are described in the classification of promoted sector according to Myanmar Investment commission’s notification no, 13/2017.

For real estate sector, only building and leasing of the affordable housing project will be included in promoted sector.

If the investors apply for such exemption and reliefs Commission scrutinize and may grant in accordance with section 75, 77, 78 of Myanmar Investment Law.

There are three types for designation of developed zone as follow:

Less developed regions : In Zone (1)  for a period of 7 consecutive years including the year of commencement of commercial operation

Moderate  developed  regions : In Zone (2)  for a period of 5 consecutive years including the year of commencement of commercial operation

Developed regions : In Zone (3)  for a period of 3 consecutive years including the year of commencement of commercial operation

The investor shall  submit a proposal to the Commission for the following business stipulate in the rules section 36:

  • Large capital intensive Investment if the expected Investment value exceeds USD 100 million.
  • large potential impact on the environment and the local community

Investment business except investment business stipulated under section 36 will be undertaken the endorsement application process.

  • large capital incentives invesment projects;
  • projects which are likely to cause a large impact on the environment and the local community;
  • Investment Activities that are essential to the National Strategy;
  • Investment activities which use state owned land and buildings;
  • Investment activities which are designated by the Government to require the submission of a proposal to the Commission;

The Commission will screen it within 60 days from the date of acceptance and, if it approves, it will issue the Permit within 10 Working Days.

The Commission will screen it within 30 days from the date of acceptance and, if it approves, it will issue the Endorsement within 10 Working Days.

The type of business described in notification no. 15/2017 (d) of Myanmar Investment Commission and the type of businesses that the governmental department or governmental organization holds a significant ownership interest in the investor will be submitted to Commission through relevant government organizations.

Wholly Foreign Investment can carry out the investment activities which not included in the list to form of a joint venture with any citizen owned entity or any Myanmar citizen according to notificationno.15/2017(c) of Myanmar Investment Commission.                                                                                                                                                                                       

A foreign investor shall contribute 80 % direct shareholding or interest in the joint venture business described in notification no.15/2017 (c) of Myanmar Investment Commission.                                                                                                                                                                                 

The investor can appoint any citizens who are a qualified person as senior manager, technical and operational expert in accordance with the law and shall appoint only citizens for works which does not require skill.

The proposal shall be submitted through the Ministry of Electricity and Energy. The application form PDF and Standard Operating Procedures-SOP PDF can be available at www.dica.gov.mm.

The investors can do business as a wholly foreign owned along with the Power Purchase Agreement - PPA (draft) and the recommendations of the Attorney General Office and the proposals shall be submitted through the Ministry of Electricity and Energy.

Power generation businesses can get the exemptions and reliefs.

 

Tax exemption and reliefs are available. According to Myanmar Investment Commission Law Section 75,77 and 78 , if  investor applies.

The proposal shall be submitted through the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Conservation. The detailed forms and documents to be attached can be downloaded at www.dica.gov.mm.

No.The proposal does not need to be submitted through the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Conservation for the related services.

သတ္တုသန့်စင်ခြင်းလုပ်ငန်းအားနိုင်ငံခြားသားရင်းနှီးမြှုပ်နှံသူကဆောင်ရွက်နိုင်ပါတယ်။

No. the foreign investors cannot be made prospecting, exploration and production of jade/gem stones.

            No. Investors cannot get  the exemptions and reliefs from production of mineral.

The proposal application form is needed to be applied under section 36 of Myanmar Investment Law.

The proposal shall be submitted through the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Conservation. The detailed forms and documents to be attached can be downloaded at www.dica.gov.mm.

Since the pearl culturing and production is included in the list of promoted sector, the income tax can be exempted.

Yes, Investment can invest for as a foreign owned company. It needs recommendations of Ministry of Education.

Yes. Foreigners can invest as a foreign owned company. And it needs the recommendations of Ministry of Commerce.

This kind of business can be invested by foreign investors excluding the total floor area less than up to 10,000 square feet or 929 square meter.

It can be done. This will need to be done in accordance with the opinion of the Ministry of Information.

They need to abide by the Ministry of Transport and Communication’s recommendations.

Yes. Foreigners can invest for publishing of periodicals in English along with the recommendation of Ministry of Information.

Yes. Foreigners can invest for publishing of periodicals in English along with the recommendation of Ministry of Information.

Yes. Foreigners can invest for local tour services only in the form of a joint venture.

Investment Promotion

  • Income tax exemption is granted for a period of 5 consecutive years starting from the year of commencement. It applies to commercial ventures engaged in the production of goods or services;
  • Income tax exemption or relief on business profits that are re-invested in a reserve fund and then re-invested within a year after the reserve is set up;
  • The right to deduct depreciation on profits for machinery, equipment, buildings and other capital assets that are subject to income tax assessment;
  • A relief from income tax of up to 50% on profits accrued from exported goods produced by a manufacturing business;
  • The right to deduct expenses for research and development activities carried out in Myanmar. The activities must be both relevant and necessary to the business’ objectives.
  • The right to carry forward and set-off losses for up to three consecutive years, starting from the period when the loss was incurred;
  • Exemption or relief from customs duty or other internal taxes (or both) on imported machinery and equipment, machinery parts and other materials used during the period the business was constructed;
  • Exemption or relief from customs duty or other internal taxes (or both) on raw materials imported for production for the first three years after the construction of the business was completed;
  • Exemption or relief from commercial tax on goods produced for export;
  • Right to pay income tax on the income of foreigners at the rates applicable to the citizens residing within the Union;

Monitoring

If investors want to increase the foreign expert, they need to address to the chairman of the Myanmar Investment Commission attached with the following documents:

  • Cover letter (reasons)
  • Board of Directors' resolution
  • Power of Attorney (if investors cannot come to office)
  • Comparision  Table of Proposal ,Increase and appointed List(Local /Foreign)
  • Business increase or not
  • Copy of updated quarterly performance report – form 10 (for those who has not provided yet)

If investors want to appointment of expatriate, they need to address to the chairman of the Myanmar Investment Commission attached with the following document: Required documents for attachment

  • Application letter (including name, passport number, position, duration, qualification)
  • Form ( 12-A ) (application form for the permission of work)
  • Invoice for the service fee MMK 5000 for the appointment of each foreigner Copy of passport
  • Number of proposed employees (local, foreign)
  • Number of existing employees (local, foreign) including each employee name, expertise level and position)
  • Copy of latest quarterly performance report of the company
  • Foreigner’s name, passport number, evidence of expertise (diploma) or degree and CV form
  • Power of Attorney (if investors cannot come to office, including name, national registration certificate number and phone number)

The request for the appointment of foreign experts must be made within 7 working days after the date of arrival of such foreign experts.

 

If investors want to import machinery, Instruments, machinery components, spare parts of materials used in the business with tax exemption, they need to address to the chairman of the Myanmar Investment Commission attached with the following documents;

  • Cover Letter
  • Form (6) (To pay the service fee according to the capital)
  • Imported Machinery List
  • Power of Attorney (if investors cannot come to office)
  • Copy of updated Quarterly performance Report (for those who has not provided yet)

If investors want to import machinery, Instruments, machinery components, spare parts of materials used in the business, they need to address to the chairman of the Myanmar Investment Commission attached with the following documents;

  • Cover letter
  • Proforma Invoice
  • Commission letter
  • Recommendation form related Ministry (if necessary)
  • Balance Sheet
  • Power of Attorney (if investors cannot come to office)
  • Copy of updated Quarterly performance Report (for those who has not provided yet)

If investors want to import initial raw material with tax exemption, they need to address to the chairman of the Myanmar Investment Commission attached with the following documents;

  • Cover letter
  • Form (6) (To pay the service fee according to the capital)
  • Proforma Invoice
  • Proposal Raw Materials List
  • Power of Attorney (if investors cannot come to office)
  • Copy of updated Quarterly performance Report (for those who has not provided yet)

If investors want to increase the investment amount of the business, they need to address to the chairman of the Myanmar Investment Commission attached with the following documents:  Required documents for attachment

  • Cover letter (including reasons for increasing the investment, original investment amount, increase investment amount and total investment amount)
  • Board of Directors' resolution (Original)
  • If investors want to import machineries and equipment when increasing the investment, they need to attach a list of machineries and equipment  (If investors want to decrease total investment, balance of machineries list need to be attached )
  • Investment plan to be attached (Revised)
  • Amount of Capital that has already invested (with table)
  • Copy of loan agreement draft with repayment schedule (If investors want to increase the investment with loan)
  • Power of Attorney (if investors cannot come to office)
  • Copy of updated quarterly performance report – form 10 (for those who has not provided yet)

 

If investors want to expand the location of the business, they need to address to the chairman of the Myanmar Investment Commission attached with the following documents: Required documents for attachment

  • Cover letter (describe the specific reasons)
  • Board of Directors' resolution (Original)
  • Map (concerned original and applied area)
  • Land lease Agreement for permitted area (if it is already signed and duration is applicable, termination agreement will be needed)
  • Land lease Agreement for applied area (Draft is acceptable)
  • Land grant for applied area
  • Power of Attorney (if investor cannot come to office)
  • Copy of updated quarterly performance report – form 10 (for those who has not provided yet)

If investors want to reinvest of profits, they need to address to the chairman of the Myanmar Investment Commission attached with the following documents: Required documents for attachment

  • Cover letter (Mention budget year to reinvest profit)
  • Board of Directors' resolution (Original)
  • Form 6 (if investors want to apply income tax exemption according to MIL section 78)
  • Audit report
  • Recommendation letter for the clearance of taxes
  • Power of Attorney (if investors cannot come to office)
  • Copy of updated quarterly performance report – form 10 (for those who has not provided yet)

If investors want to transfer foreign currency (transfer of shares, dividend and profit share repatriation), they need to address to the chairman of the Myanmar Investment Commission attached with the following documents:

  • Cover letter (describe the specific reasons)
  • Board of Directors' resolution (Original)
  • Audit Report
  • Bank Statement
  • Form 13 (form for transfer of foreign currency)
  • Recommendation letter for the clearance of taxes
  • Power of Attorney (if investors cannot come to office)
  • Copy of updated quarterly performance report – form 10 (for those who has not provided yet)

 

  • Cover Letter (with no. of share transfer, ratio)(If share transferring will be above 50 %, approval of  MIC will be required )
  • Board of directors' resolution
  • Form -8 (Form of Share Transfer)
  • Recommendation letter of yearly tax clearance
  • Copy of latest Quarterly Performance Report (Form-10)
  • Authorization Letter mentioning name, NRC. No, Signature, Contact Phone No.) (If investors cannot come to office)
  • Copy of MIC permit and Decision, Company Registration Card, Form – 6, Form-26
  • Service Charges to amend permit: MMK 50,000 under total investment amount of US$   1 million, MMK 100,000.00 above total investment amount of US$ 1 million, MMK 200,000.00 above total investment amount of US$ 20 million, MMK 300,000.00 above total investment amount of US$ 100 million.

If investors want to submit commencement date of business operation , they need to address to the chairman of the Myanmar Investment Commission attached with the following documents:

  • Cover letter  (Completely written application )
  • Form 14 (Submission of    commercial operation Date)
  • Form -6 (If the permit / Endorsement is obtained under the Myanmar       Investment Law  ) and payment received
  • Copy of Credit Advice or bank statement
  • BOD Resolution
  • Export Declaration (ED) or similar documents used in international trade for the export of manufacturing business,  Local Sale receipt,  Evidence of  income received ( License  , Permit  and approval  of Relevant ministries  ( eg Hotel Licenses,  logging Licenses, Private  Industrial Licenses)
  • Permitted machinery List , Imported  machinery List, Remaining List to be imported.
  • Power of Attorney ( Name,  NRC, Signature,  phone no) (if investors cannot come to office)

If investors want to an extension of the construction period, they need to address to the chairman of the Myanmar Investment Commission attached with the following documents: Required documents for attachment

  • Cover letter (describe the specific reasons)
  • Progress in Construction or  Renovation with  percentage and Photos
  • Imported Machinery List and Balance ( mention with  MIC approval Letter No.)
  • Power of Attorney ( Name,  NRC, Signature,  phone no) (if investors cannot come to office)

If investors want to a renewal of the construction period, they need to address to the chairman of the Myanmar Investment Commission attached with the following documents: Required documents for attachment

  • Cover Letter
  • Construction permit  obtained  by the relevant government department or government organization for investment construction or preparation
  • Power of Attorney ( Name,  NRC, Signature,  phone no) (if investors cannot come to office)