U Thatha Hla

| Economist

Mr. Thatha Hla spent 17 years at ADB as an economist. The last 5 of them based in Myanmar. He was part of ADB’s core team responsible for re-engagement with Myanmar and support for the country’s rebuilding. Prior to his work in Myanmar, his work with ADB covered countries in South Asia (India and Bhutan) and Southeast Asia (every country in ASEAN except Singapore).

His areas of focus in Myanmar included modernization of the public debt management system and strengthening of the investment climate.

His work on public debt management included: upgrading, and capacity building of the Public Debt Management Office (now a Department) in the Treasury to serve as the focal point for the consolidation and management of domestic and foreign public debt, the introduction of a Public Debt Law to support this function, and the introduction of an auction-based system for the issuance of domestic Government bonds.

He continues to run a web-based working group on Public Financial Management Reform which serves as an ongoing resource in this area (https://www.facebook.com/groups/200224453509693/). Its membership (currently at over 500) includes a mix of practitioners and experts from around the world.

His work on strengthening the investment climate in Myanmar included modernization of the (then century old) Companies Law, and streamlining of the company registration process, including establishment of regional company registration offices and their functions as one stop shops.

His main Government counterparts were the Treasury, the Central Bank, and the Directorate of Investment and Company Administration. He also worked closely with IMF and WB teams in these areas.

He retired from ADB and joined PwC as a Director covering Deals, Capital Projects and Infrastructure.

He is currently retired from daily work and lives in Yangon.

Mr. Hla holds degrees from the London School of Economics and Tufts University. He also completed an Executive Education Program on Public Financial Management (sponsored by ADB) at Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government. And the Director Certification Program (Batch 11), administered by the Myanmar Institute of Directors.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/thatha-hla-1a8532122/