Asia World
Asia World is a diversified Myanmar conglomerate active in infrastructure, construction, transportation, ports, industrial development, import-export, and consumer businesses.
Last updated August 25, 2026
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Overview
Asia World, also known as Asia World Group, is a Myanmar conglomerate with activities spanning infrastructure development, construction, transportation, port management, industrial operations, import-export, energy distribution, property, and retail. It is described as one of Myanmar’s largest and most diversified private business groups. Its operating footprint has included major transport infrastructure, industrial sites, supermarkets, condominiums, office and commercial developments, and logistics facilities. The group’s infrastructure work has been particularly prominent. It paved and widened the Burma Road linking Myanmar with China in 1998 and operated toll facilities on the route. It later constructed a major road connecting Pathein with Ngwesaung in 2000. In Yangon, the group has operated port facilities in Ahlone Township since 2000 and has been involved in the expansion of Yangon International Airport. That airport work included a new international terminal opened in May 2007 and runway extensions completed in July 2008. In July 2010, the government granted Asia World responsibility for passenger-services operations and management at Yangon International Airport, including the collection of departure taxes. Asia World also played a major role in the development of Myanmar’s administrative capital, Naypyidaw. It was one of the principal contractors involved in building the new capital and constructed the National Landmark Garden. With technical assistance from Singapore-based CPG Consultants, it developed and built Naypyidaw International Airport, which opened on 19 December 2011. The group has also worked on port and deep-sea port facilities, including Asia World Port and the Asia World Thilawa Deep Sea Port project. According to Myanmar Port Authority figures cited in the reference material, Asia World Port handled approximately 45 percent of goods passing through Yangon during fiscal year 2012–13, giving it the largest share of the country’s freight-handling market at that time. Beyond infrastructure, the group has been associated with industrial parks, manufacturing, garment production, paper mills, palm oil, beer production, fuel distribution, property development, and retail. Named businesses and projects include Asia Light Supermarket, Asia World Industries in Hlaingthaya Industrial Park, Hledan Centre Condominium, Ahlone Wharves, Leo Express Bus, and electricity distribution in 37 towns in eastern Bago Region. In August 2011, Asia World was among four companies granted government licences to import and sell fuel in Myanmar. In 2011, it partnered with the Yangon City Development Committee on an upgrade of Strand Road. The group’s commercial profile has been accompanied by extensive allegations concerning the origins of its capital and business practices. Its founder, Lo Hsing Han, was identified in the reference material as an ethnic Kokang Chinese figure who had controlled a major heroin-trafficking organization. United States officials have alleged that companies connected with Steven Law and his wife, Cecilia Ng, operated an underground banking network used to move drug proceeds from Myanmar to Singapore. Asia World has consequently been widely accused of money laundering and of having links to the United Wa State Army. These allegations led to sanctions and investment restrictions by the United States and the United Kingdom against Asia World and several subsidiaries. The group’s activities, including participation in major infrastructure and hydropower projects, have therefore remained politically and reputationally sensitive.
History
Asia World developed as a Myanmar private conglomerate with a business model centered on infrastructure, construction, transport, logistics, and related commercial activities. Its founder was Lo Hsing Han. The group’s early major infrastructure work included paving and widening the Burma Road between Myanmar and China in 1998, followed by operation of toll booths on the route. In 2000, it constructed a road linking Pathein with the Ngwesaung beach resort and began operating a port in Yangon’s Ahlone Township. During the 2000s, Asia World expanded its role in transport infrastructure and urban development. It undertook a major expansion of Yangon International Airport between 2007 and 2008, building a new international terminal and extending existing runways. In July 2010, it was granted control of passenger-services operations and management at the airport, including departure-tax collection. The group also became a major contractor in the construction of Naypyidaw, Myanmar’s new administrative capital. Its work included the National Landmark Garden and, with technical assistance from CPG Consultants of Singapore, the development and construction of Naypyidaw International Airport, which opened on 19 December 2011. Asia World’s logistics activities grew through port management and freight handling. Its subsidiary Asia World Port handled general goods and freight in Myanmar. Myanmar Port Authority statistics cited in the reference material identified the subsidiary as the country’s largest freight handler in Yangon during fiscal year 2012–13, with approximately 45 percent of goods passing through the city. The group’s named port interests also include Asia World Thilawa Deep Sea Port and Ahlone Wharves. The group diversified beyond construction and transport into industrial parks, retail, property, manufacturing, energy, and import-export. Its businesses and projects have included Asia Light Supermarket, Asia World Industries in Hlaingthaya Industrial Park, Hledan Centre Condominium, garment manufacturing, paper mills, palm oil, beer production, and transportation through Leo Express Bus. In August 2011, Asia World was among four companies authorized to import and sell fuel. In the same period, it partnered with the Yangon City Development Committee to upgrade Strand Road. In August 2013, it received permission to distribute electricity to 37 towns in eastern Bago Region. Asia World also partnered with China Power Investment Corporation on controversial hydropower projects along the Irrawaddy River in Kachin State, including the Myitsone Dam. These projects connected the group to broader debates over environmental impact, local communities, national sovereignty, and Chinese investment in Myanmar. The group’s expansion has been inseparable from scrutiny over ownership, financing, and alleged criminal connections. Lo Hsing Han was described in the source material as having controlled a major heroin-trafficking organization. United States officials alleged that companies in Singapore associated with Cecilia Ng, the wife of Steven Law, operated an underground banking network facilitating the movement of drug money from Myanmar to Singapore. Asia World has consequently been widely accused of money laundering and linked in reporting to the United Wa State Army. The United States placed Asia World and connected subsidiaries under targeted sanctions from 2008, while the United Kingdom imposed investment restrictions on several group companies. These sanctions and allegations have made Asia World one of Myanmar’s most politically sensitive corporate groups, despite its continuing presence in infrastructure, ports, property, retail, and other sectors.
- 2013
Electricity distribution authorization
[1]The Myanmar government permitted Asia World to distribute electricity to 37 towns in eastern Bago Region.
- 2012
Leading Yangon freight share
[1]Asia World Port was reported to have handled about 45 percent of goods passing through Yangon in fiscal year 2012–13.
- 2011
Fuel licensing and Naypyidaw airport opening
[1]Asia World received a licence to import and sell fuel, while Naypyidaw International Airport, developed and constructed with CPG Consultants, opened on 19 December.
- 2010
Yangon airport passenger-services concession
[1]The government granted Asia World control of passenger-services operations and management at Yangon International Airport.
- 2008
United States sanctions
[1]Asia World and connected subsidiaries became subject to United States targeted sanctions described in the source material.
- 2007
Yangon International Airport expansion begins
[1]Asia World undertook a major airport expansion that included a new international terminal.
- 2000
Pathein–Ngwesaung road and Ahlone port operations
[1]The group constructed a road linking Pathein with Ngwesaung and operated a port in Yangon’s Ahlone Township.
- 1998
Burma Road project
[1]Asia World paved and widened the Burma Road linking Myanmar with China and began operating toll facilities on the route.
Products and positioning
A large, diversified Myanmar business group positioned through major infrastructure, logistics, construction, industrial, property, and consumer-service operations.
Port and logistics services
Asia World Port
Asia World Port is a Yangon-area port and freight-handling operation serving general goods and cargo. The port was reported by the Myanmar Port Authority, for fiscal year 2012–13, to have handled approximately 45 percent of goods passing through Yangon, giving it the largest cited share of the city’s freight market at that time.
Airport infrastructure and operations · 2007
Yangon International Airport services
Asia World expanded Yangon International Airport through a new international terminal and runway work during 2007–2008. In 2010, it received government authority over passenger-services operations and management, including collection of departure taxes.
Airport development · 2011
Naypyidaw International Airport
Developed and constructed by Asia World with technical assistance from Singapore’s CPG Consultants, Naypyidaw International Airport was part of the group’s broader role in building Myanmar’s administrative capital. The airport opened on 19 December 2011.
Retail
Asia Light Supermarket
Asia Light Supermarket is a retail business associated with the group and located in Lanmadaw Township, Yangon. It represents Asia World’s consumer-facing activity alongside its infrastructure, logistics, and industrial businesses.
Industrial development
Asia World Industries
Asia World Industries is an industrial business associated with the group and located in Hlaingthaya Industrial Park in Yangon. It forms part of the conglomerate’s manufacturing and industrial-development portfolio.
Property development
Hledan Centre Condominium
Hledan Centre Condominium is a Yangon property development associated with Asia World. The project illustrates the group’s participation in residential and mixed urban development in addition to large public infrastructure projects.
Controversies
2008
United States sanctions over alleged illicit financial connections
Asia World and several subsidiaries were included in United States targeted sanctions from 2008. The sanctions were associated with allegations concerning money laundering, drug proceeds, and links involving Steven Law, Cecilia Ng, and the United Wa State Army.
United Kingdom investment restrictions
The United Kingdom imposed investment restrictions covering Asia World and subsidiaries including Ahlone Wharves, Asia Light, Asia World Company, Asia World Industries, Asia World Port Management, and Leo Express Bus.
Allegations concerning money laundering and drug-trafficking links
The group has been widely accused of using money laundering to support business expansion. The allegations are connected to the criminal history attributed to founder Lo Hsing Han and to United States officials’ claims about an underground banking network associated with companies linked to Steven Law and Cecilia Ng.
Controversy over Irrawaddy hydropower projects
Asia World partnered with China Power Investment Corporation on controversial dam projects along the Irrawaddy River in Kachin State, including the Myitsone Dam. The projects attracted criticism concerning environmental and social consequences and the role of foreign investment.
Brand decisions
2013
Extend into regional electricity distributionStrategyBackground
The Myanmar government authorized private participation in electricity distribution in eastern Bago Region.
Action taken
Asia World received permission to distribute electricity to 37 towns.
Aftermath
The authorization broadened the group’s infrastructure portfolio beyond construction, transport, and ports into regional utility distribution.
2011
Enter licensed fuel distributionStrategyBackground
Myanmar opened licensing for private companies to import and sell fuel.
Action taken
Asia World became one of four companies granted a government licence to import and sell fuel.
Aftermath
Fuel distribution became another regulated activity within the group’s diversified Myanmar operations.
2010
Expand into airport passenger-services managementStrategyBackground
Following its construction and expansion work at Yangon International Airport, Asia World received a government grant of authority covering passenger-services operations and management.
Action taken
The group took responsibility for passenger services and departure-tax collection at Yangon International Airport.
Aftermath
The decision extended Asia World’s role from airport construction into airport-related operating services.
Recent events
- 2012
Asia World Port reported as Yangon’s largest freight handler[1]
Other
Myanmar Port Authority figures cited in the reference material indicated that Asia World Port handled about 45 percent of goods passing through Yangon during fiscal year 2012–13.
- 2011
Asia World received fuel import and sales authorization[1]
Regulation
The Myanmar government granted Asia World one of four licences to import and sell fuel in the country.
- 2010
Asia World granted Yangon International Airport passenger-services role[1]
Other
The government assigned Asia World responsibility for passenger-services operations and management at Yangon International Airport, including departure-tax collection.
Sources1 sources
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