> It is financed almost entirely by crime. First through growing poppy that became heroin, then through enormous meth labs, and now also through crypto and digital scams.
> The GDP of the autonomous region exceeds the GDP of the recognized Myanmar territory, despite having something like 10% of the population.
Sounds like this region is focused on exporting services and luxury/discretionary goods. Published statistics put the rest of the country's exports as commodities and clothing. GDP per capitia goes way up when you can sell services and luxury goods, even if they're criminal services and illegal luxury goods.
> The GDP of the autonomous region exceeds the GDP of the recognized Myanmar territory, despite having something like 10% of the population.
Sounds like this region is focused on exporting services and luxury/discretionary goods. Published statistics put the rest of the country's exports as commodities and clothing. GDP per capitia goes way up when you can sell services and luxury goods, even if they're criminal services and illegal luxury goods.
[1] https://wits.worldbank.org/CountryProfile/en/Country/MMR/Yea...