The State-Owned Economic Enterprises Law (enacted 1989) outlined that the government of Myanmar retains exclusive rights to conduct business in certain sectors. The law allows local and foreign investors to conduct business in these sectors through contracts or joint venture agreements with the government.
By law, the government has final authority over all aspects of operations in these sectors, including the production, transportation, storage and sale of products, and may halt, change or make prescriptions with due notification.
However, in some cases the government does permit private companies to operate with a high degree of autonomy in these sectors, including private power, airlines and telecom companies. Permits, regulations and procedures for these business fall under the authority of the specific government ministry that oversees the sector.