Hla Myint facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Hla Myint
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Hla Myint in 1985
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| Born | 1920 Pathein, Irrawaddy Division, British Burma
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| Died | (aged 96–97) Bangkok, Thailand
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| Alma mater | Rangoon University, London School of Economics |
| Known for | Development Economics |
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| Fields | Economics |
| Institutions | LSE |
Hla Myint (Burmese: လှမြင့်; 1920 – 9 March 2017) was an important economist from Myanmar (formerly Burma). He is famous for being one of the first experts in a field called development economics. This area of study looks at how countries can grow their economies and become richer.
He also made big contributions to "welfare economics." This part of economics studies how different economic choices affect the well-being and happiness of people. Hla Myint believed that countries should focus on selling their products to other nations. He thought this "export-orientation" was the best way for a country's economy to grow strong and fast.
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Hla Myint's Career Journey
Hla Myint was a very bright student. He started studying at Rangoon University when he was just 15 years old. Later, he earned his Ph.D. in economics from the London School of Economics (LSE). His special project there was about "Theories of Welfare Economics."
Teaching and Advising Roles
After finishing his studies, Hla Myint became an economics professor. He taught at the University of Rangoon from 1945 to 1952. He even served as the university's leader, called a rector, from 1958 to 1961.
In the 1950s, he also worked as an economic adviser. He helped the government of newly independent Burma plan its economy. He was part of a group that wanted Burma to focus on trading with other countries. However, the government chose a different path, focusing more on its own internal economy.
New Ideas in Trade and Development
In the 1960s, Hla Myint came up with an interesting idea called "Vent for surplus." This idea helps explain how some developing countries started trading more with the world. It suggests that these countries had extra resources, like land or labor, that they weren't fully using. When they started trading, they could use these extra resources to produce goods for export.
From 1966 to 1985, Hla Myint taught development economics at the London School of Economics. He became an "Emeritus Professor," which means he was a respected retired professor.
In 1972, he wrote an important study for the Asian Development Bank. It was about the economy of Southeast Asia. In this study, he strongly suggested that countries in the region should focus on exporting manufactured goods. He believed this was better than just making things for their own country (called "import substitution").
Later Years and Legacy
Hla Myint continued to share his knowledge. In 2012, he took part in a special meeting in Yangon, Myanmar. He discussed ideas for fair and lasting development for his home country. Other famous economists, like Nobel Prize winner Professor Joseph Stiglitz, were also there.
Hla Myint passed away on March 9, 2017, in Bangkok, Thailand. He was 97 years old. His ideas about how countries can grow their economies are still studied and respected today.
