Economic reform often fails, but there are surely few parallels in the wholesale reform reversal and economic collapse that has been the recent story of Myanmar. In this talk, Sean Turnell will explore the origins and aims of economic reform in Myanmar in the National League for Democracy (NLD) era, the challenges this faced, and the factors behind its undoing. Of particular relevance for an address in honour of Heinz Arndt, he will also outline the creation of certain institutions in Myanmar inspired by his legacy.

Sean Turnell is an Honorary Professor of Economics at Macquarie University in Sydney, Australia. He has had a distinguished career in government, banking and academia. Professor Sean Turnell is a devoted economist with interest in areas of public policy, economic transition, economic development, and financial reform. Since the early 2000s, he has worked tirelessly on Myanmar economic and banking issues to bring to the table the best possible practices to help Myanmar with economic reforms and growth. Sean joined the Economics Department of Macquarie University in 1991.

Heinz Arndt was a Professor of Economics at the ANU for 30 years and Emeritus Professor for 20 years from 1981. He founded the Indonesia Project in 1965 and was the head of the project until 1982. He was also the founding editor of the Bulletin of Indonesian Economic Studies and later editor of Asian-Pacific Economic Literature. The HW Arndt Lecture honours Professor Heinz Arndt’s long and distinguished career in development economics and Australia-Indonesia relations, as well as his contributions to the University. The late Professor Arndt was one of the most influential economists in Australia for many years. He was one of the first to recognise the importance of the Asia-Pacific region to Australia.

A social function with drinks and snacks will be hosted from 5-5:30pm prior to the lecture.