Actionable insights on the political economy of Myanmar
About Us
Established in 2024, Catalyst Economics harnesses the fifty years of collective experience of its three founders to provide insights about Myanmar’s political economy and help stakeholders apply them to strategies that drive sustainable development.
Our goal is to spur new thinking about Myanmar’s complex challenges by bringing deep economic understanding to Myanmar’s important political, conflict and human rights questions.
Our work is defined by the depth of our knowledge – technical, contextual, and relational – and our ability to bring these components together. We look not just at what can be done, but how to do it in the context.
Our work is shaped by constant engagement with partners and stakeholders. It seeks to offer practical, context-specific inputs and options and inform locally-driven dialogues.
Our Team
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Jared Bissinger
RESEARCH LEAD
Jared Bissinger is a development economist with extensive experience leading research projects and authoring high-level reports for UN agencies, NGOs and others. He has a decade and a half of experience working on Myanmar, as well as other countries in the Asia-Pacific region and globally. He provides analysis and research in economic policy, private sector development, business environment and social & inclusive development, and their intersection with politics, conflict, and other issues. Jared holds a PhD in economics from Macquarie University. He is a Visiting Fellow at the Myanmar Studies Program at the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies in Singapore. Jared is American and lived in Myanmar from 2011 to 2017.
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Nyantha Maw Lin
CONTEXT & INITIATIVES LEAD
Nyantha Maw Lin is an analyst and advisor with extensive experience in government affairs, public policy and political risk assessment in Myanmar. Nyantha is the founder of nonprofit Anagat Initiatives. He is a 2018 Eisenhower Global Fellow. Nyantha holds a BA in international relations from Carleton College. Nyantha is Myanmar.
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Romain Caillaud
OPERATIONS LEAD
Romain Caillaud is a risk and reputation management consultant with extensive experience advising corporations and nonprofits on strategic intelligence and public affairs. Romain has over 15 years of experience working on Myanmar and other Asian countries including Japan where he is a resident. Romain is a 2023 Eisenhower Global Fellow and an Associate Fellow at the Myanmar Studies Program at the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies in Singapore. Romain holds an MA in international affairs from Sciences Po Paris. Romain is French and lived in Myanmar from 2008 to 2015.
Our Work
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Current Insights
Providing analysis on Myanmar’s economy and political economy and its intersection with politics, society and human rights
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Long-term Perspectives
Informing thinking and dialogue about a future political economy that drives inclusive development
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Foundations
Contributing to a shared understanding of economics and political economy through knowledge-sharing and capacity building