On top of all that, there is the lack of clarity over the rule of law, an intermittent electricity supply, crumbling infrastructure and what Mr Thein calls the practice of paying "tea money" - small bribes to expedite the cumbersome bureaucracy.

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The gap shows, especially in infrastructure such as roads, sea- and airports, and electricity supply.

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In the past five years there has been a wave of foreign investment and many infrastructure projects - including hundreds of miles of roads and improved electricity supply - are either completed or on the way.

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