This process has moved forward relatively swiftly, our correspondent adds, and it represents an opportunity for the US to have a greater stake in the region and so at least partly counter the dominant influence of China.

BBC: US President Barack Obama to visit Burma

In the Greater China region, for example, about 95% of the companies are minnows, and most of them lack the ability to link up electronically with clients overseas.

CNN: Grandaddy of Them All