In 1930s, Yangon was hit hard by a strong earthquake and tsunami, and became the battlefield of allied forces and Japan during World War II. Although Yangon was rebuilt later, it will never be restored as the commercial center of the past British rule. In the 20th century, the economy of Myanmar suffered a devastating blow because of the isolation policy adopted by the military government. Yangon's industry has developed in recent years, and 30% of the country's industrial workers are concentrated in Yangon. Yangon has both a seaport and a river port. The port is wide, with 13 extension docks. A 10,000-ton ocean-going ship with a draught of 9 meters can reach the city directly, and more than 30% of the country's rice, ore, wood and cotton are exported and traded here. Yangon has become the national trade center of Myanmar.

Yangon is the administrative and economic center of the country, where commerce is booming and business activities radiate from rice fields in the delta. With the formulation of the new economic policy of opening to the outside world, Yangon has achieved rapid development, and the trade of private enterprises is also expanding.

Yangon has superior natural conditions and abundant resources. However, the development of industry and agriculture has been slow for many years. 1987 12 is listed as one of the least developed countries in the world by the United Nations. On March 3 1989, 3 1 The government promulgated the Law on State-owned Enterprises, announcing the implementation of a market economy and gradually opening up to the outside world, allowing foreign investment, allowing farmers to freely engage in agricultural products and private individuals to engage in import and export trade. Private economy is dominant, accounting for about 75% of the gross national product. From 65438 to 0992-95, Myanmar's economy developed rapidly, with an average annual growth of 7.5%. 1995, the Myanmar government formulated a five-year economic development plan from 1996/ 1997 to 2000/200 1, trying to give priority to the development of agriculture and promote the development of other industries. During the five-year development plan, Myanmar's average annual economic growth rate reached 8.4%. In 20001year, the government formulated the four-year economic development plan for 200012002-2004/2005, and set the target of average annual economic growth 10%. At the same time, we will continue to strengthen infrastructure construction, reduce inflation and put the economy on the track of healthy and sustainable development. Due to the long-term sanctions imposed by the United States and other western countries, as well as the closeness and fragility of its own economic structure, Myanmar's economy is still not out of trouble.

The main areas of foreign investment in Yangon are: oil and gas, aquaculture, mining, manufacturing (clothing manufacturing) and hotel tourism. The main investors are Singapore, Britain and Thailand.