Burma, one of the poorest nations in East Asia, may be entering a new phase of development after recent elections and the release of Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi from detention. Regional political analysts fear little will change for most in the country.
Economic forecast
Burma's central bank governor recently gave the World Bank a rosy picture of the country's economy, saying it would grow about 12 percent this year, driven by exports of natural gas and farm produce.
The Asian Development Bank, however, forecasts a more limited expansion in 2010 of 5 percent.
Experts on Burma, however, say neither assessment would do much to improve the lives of most Burmese.