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government doesn’t depend on it. As Ma Thanegi, a former aide to AungSan Suu Kyi, puts it, ‘tourism is peanuts for the generals’, particularlywhen contrasted with the billions being earned for exports of gas, teakand – surprisingly – beans and pulses (estimated by Sean Turnell to accountfor $920.4 million in exports in 2009–10).In neighbouring Thailand around 6% of GDP, or about $14 billion annually,comes from tourism. Myanmar earns, at most, 0.7% of its GDPthrough tourism (calculated using CIA statistics and proboycott activists’estimates of the government receiving $100 million per year).While fellow Asean countries see many more tourists, visitor arrivalsin Myanmar have been on the rise following the lows experienced afterthe protests in September 2007 and Cyclone Nargis in May 2008. In 2010close to 300,000 tourists passed through Yangon International Airport,an increase of nearly 30% on 2009. According to the Bangkok-based Pacific-AsiaTravel Association (www.pata.org), Asians make up about twothirdsof the arrivals, Europeans 22% and Americans 8%.One the main deterrents to the growth of this sector of Myanmar’seconomy was the tourism boycott, launched during Visit Myanmar yearin 1996; the NLD called off that boycott in 2010, but still urge visitorsto avoid joining package groups and cruises when visiting the country.The Sanctions DebateSince 1988, economic sanctions, implemented mainly from the US, EU,Canada and Australia, have been deployed against individuals and industriesin an attempt to force political and social change in Myanmar.Loopholes allowed some companies – such as UK’s Premier Oil, France’sTotal and USA’s Unocal – to continue to help develop offshore gas fields.Stronger international sanctions were implemented in 1997 by the US,when it banned new investment by American companies in Myanmar.Strident lobbying and threats of consumer boycotts forced some majorcompanies (including PepsiCo, Heineken, Carlsberg and Levi Strauss) eitherto pull out or decide against investing in the country.THE GEM BUSINESSAround 70%of Myanmar’spopulation livesin rural areas andrelies on farmingfor its livelihood.A third of thepopulation livesbelow the povertyline.The Stone ofHeaven by Britishjournalists AdrianLevy and CathyScott Clark is aninvestigation intojade, both its historyas a preciousstone and thecurrent horrifyingcircumstancessurroundingits mining inMyanmar.Myanmar generates considerable income from the mining of precious stones – includingrubies, jade and sapphire – and metals such as gold and silver. There is controversysurrounding this mining, with reports of forced labour and dangerous working practices.Mining areas are not open to foreigners, including Mogok (Sagaing Region), Pyinlon(Shan State), Maingshu (Shan State), Myaduang (Kayah State) and parts of KachinState. Following the September 2007 protests, the EU added sanctions specificallyagainst the purchase of gems and precious stones, which is supposed to be a governmentmonopoly.The finer imperial jade or pigeon-blood rubies can only be purchased at exclusivedealer sessions during the government-sponsored Myanmar Gems, Jade & Pearl Emporium,held three or four times a year in Nay Pyi Taw; the 13-day Emporium in November2010, netted sellers $1.4 billion.Still, many visitors manage to buy stones from unlicensed dealers, who far outnumberthose who are licensed. The government turns a blind eye to most domestic trade;Mandalay’s jade market (p 209 ) is an example.There are many tales of visitors buying cheap gems and selling them for huge profitsin the West. Beware of scams: we’ve heard of a foreigner spending $2000 on worthlessstones hawked as jade in Mandalay.If any stones are found when your baggage is checked on departure, they may beconfiscated unless you can present a receipt showing they were purchased from agovernment-licensed dealer.319POLITICS, ECONOMICS & SANCTIONS THE SANCTIONS DEBATE