Burma is preparing to sell off 30 off-shore oil and gas blocks to international energy firms.

It is the second such offering since the United States relaxed sanctions against the country.

Over the past 30 years, companies from China, Russia and Australia have invested some $20bn dollars in natural resource projects in Burma.

Australia's Ambassador to Burma from 2000 to 2003, Trevor Wilson, told the BBC's Asia Business Report that given the amount of resources Burma has, companies are very keen to get involved.