Black and White Vintage Photos of Burma in 1986

In the early 1980s, Burma’s economy grew steadily at a moderate pace. The government partially relaxed the ban on foreign financial aid, and considerable funding came from the Asian Development Bank and the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development. However, the rising trade deficits largely stemmed from falling commodity export prices, rising import costs and rising external debt payments slowed growth. The socialist economic policies enacted in the early 1960s were intended to be reversed as part of the economic reforms proposed in 1987–88. They included an active promotion of foreign investment and a significant liberalization of foreign trade.

Below are some historical photos that show what Burma looked like in 1986.

#1 Bagan. Ananda Temple, Burma, 1986

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#2 Bagan. Young girl, Burma, 1986

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#3 Irrawaddy River, Burma, 1986

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#4 Mandalay public transit bus, Burma, 1986

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#5 Mandalay, Burma, 1986

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#6 Mandalay, Burma, 1986

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#7 Mandalay, Burma, 1986

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#8 Mandalay, Burma, 1986

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#9 Mandalay, Burma, 1986

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#10 Mandalay. Street scene in central Mandalay, Burma, 1986

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#11 Mandalay. Street scene in central, Burma, 1986

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#12 Passengers on the ferry crossing the Irrawaddy River near Mandalay, Burma, 1986

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#13 Rangoon, Burma, 1986

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#14 Rangoon, Burma, 1986

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#15 Rangoon, Burma, 1986

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#16 Rangoon, Burma, 1986

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#17 Rangoon. 1961 Chevrolet Impala hardtop with right-hand drive, parked in front of the Strand Hotel, Burma, 1986

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#18 Rangoon. Balthazar Building, Burma, 1986

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#19 Rangoon. Booksellers on the steps of the Bengali Sunni Jameh Mosque, Sule Pagoda Road, Burma, 1986

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#20 Rangoon. Burmese football street tournament, Burma, 1986

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#21 Rangoon. Local transit stop, Burma, 1986

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#22 Rangoon. Near the Pansodan Ferry, Burma, 1986

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#23 Rangoon. River taxis along the Irrawaddy, Burma, 1986

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#24 Rangoon. Street football match, Burma, 1986

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#25 Rangoon. Street portraits, Burma, 1986

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#26 Rangoon. Street scene in Rangoon’s business district, Burma, 1986

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#27 Rangoon. Street scene in Rangoon’s business district, Burma, 1986

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#28 Rangoon. Sule Pagoda Road, Burma, 1986

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#29 Rangoon. Woman on local bus, Burma, 1986

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#30 Riding the rails near Thazi, Burma, 1986

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#31 Stretch of roadway between Bagan and Thazi, Burma, 1986

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#32 Thazi. Public transit, Burma, 1986

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