1. Location
The Rakhine State, situated on the western coast of the Union of the Republic of Myanmar and has unique historical background among the States and Regions. Rakhine State is bordered by Chin State to the north, Magway Region, Bago Region and Ayeyarwady Region to the east, the Bay of Bengal to the west, and the Chittagong Division of Bangladesh to the northwest. It is located between latitudes 17°30' north and 21°30' north and longitudes 92°10' east and 94°50' east. The Rakhine Yoma (Mountains) rising to 3,063 meters (10,049 ft) at Victoria Peak, separate Rakhine State from central Myanmar. Rakhine State has an area of 36,762 square kilometers (14,194 square mile).
2. Administrative divisions and population
Rakhine State consists of 5 districts as follows:
- Sittwe District
- Mrauk U District
- Maungdaw District
- Kyaukpyu District
- Thandwe District
3. Economy
Rakhine State economy mainly consists of agriculture (overwhelmingly rice, coconut, and nipa palm), fisheries, and forestry (timber and bamboo). It possesses tourism potentials in such places as Mrauk U, the ancient city of Rakhine Dynasty, Ngapali Beach and untapped beaches in Gwa Township and Man Aung Island. There is also potential for oil and gas. Construction of deep-sea port and Special Economic Zone is also planned in Kyaukpyu, and rail and highways have been proposed to link them to Mandalay and, again, to Yunnan Province, making the State a strategically important location for further investment. Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project is also underway in sittwe.
4. Potential investment opportunities
According to the findings of investment opportunity survey conducted in Rakhine State, fisheries & livestock breeding sector has the most opportunities to invest, followed by agriculture, manufacturing, hotels & tourism, forestry, oil & gas exploration, etc.