Myanmar's challenges as Asean chair

THE recent South-east Asian Games were a success on many fronts, but most importantly, the 12-day sporting event held in Myanmar for the first time in 44 years served primarily as a dress rehearsal for much bigger things that lie ahead for the former pariah state.

The impoverished country is taking on a long-coveted role as the new chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) in 2014. That heavy responsibility comes with many issues that it must seek to address, and do so convincingly.

The focus is on how Myanmar will fare under the spotlight, especially with regional leaders, senior officials and the world media set to descend on the country as it prepares to host hundreds of meetings under its chairmanship. In addition, the country is expecting some three million visitors in 2014, up from about two million this year.