Promoting responsible business practices in Myanmar. An ILO/EU press release
A high-level conference on policy options for promoting responsible investment in Myanmar convened online with senior government officials and business leaders for discussions on investment policy, and the role of responsible business conduct in attracting quality investment to Myanmar.
NAY PYI TAW - Senior government officials, including U Thaung Tun, Union Minister of Investment and Foreign relations, advisors to the government and business leaders met online with leading international organisations for discussions on investment policy, and the role of responsible business conduct in attracting quality investment to Myanmar.
In opening remarks, Union Minister U Thaung said, “responsible investment represents a cornerstone of this government’s vision – a vision of an economy and a society that works for everyone – that benefits the MSME on a street corner in Mandalay just as much as the major multinational up in Myanmar Plaza”
“The assistance and guidance made available to us via the OECD’s second Investment Policy Review will help us continue to promote responsible investment into Myanmar – the type that creates jobs, opens up new opportunities, sustains growth, and spreads prosperity,” he continued.
Speaking alongside the Union Minister was Mr Ranieri Sabatucci, Ambassador of the European Union to Myanmar.
“This event is a testimony to Myanmar’s commitment to engage in meaningful structural reforms of the business regulatory environment and hence to attract quality investment."
“The support of the EU through the Responsible Supply Chain in Asia programme, as one of the many examples of the EU concrete engagement in this field, will remain instrumental in supporting government and business endeavours towards Myanmar’s sustainable development," he said.
The OECD’s Investment Policy Review: Myanmar 2020, officially launched at the event and supported by Switzerland and Norway, was subject of a panel discussion with Myanmar and International business leaders, following an initial report in 2014 and taking stock of recent achievements in the country. The discussions also assessed the continuing policy challenges to supporting a responsible business environment and ensuring that the benefits of investment flow to the broader Myanmar population - helping the country achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and improving the lives of its people.
Another panel looked at the role of responsible business conduct and the adherence to international guidelines on labour and human rights in strengthening social progress and contributing to an inclusive and sustainable recovery for the country.
This session, supported by the European Union through the EU-funded Responsible Supply Chains in Asia programme, looked at the place of instruments such as the OECD Guidelines for MNEs and the ILO MNE Declaration in building more sustainable and resilient supply chains in the Myanmar context.
Note to editors
The Responsible Supply Chains in Asia Project was developed by the European Union together with the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) to enable governments, businesses and workers to communicate on challenges and opportunities relating to corporate social responsibility in six Asian countries – China, Japan, Myanmar, Philippines, Thailand, and Viet Nam. It uses as a basis for its research, outreach, policy advocacy and training internationally recognised guidelines on responsible business conduct, the OECD’s Guidelines for multinational enterprises , and the ILO’s MNE declaration .
For more information about the Responsible Supply Chains in Asia Project, visit www.ilo.org/rsca or contact:
Mr Theerawich Tanprasert
Knowledge and Management Officer, RSCA Programme
tanprasert@ilo.org
In opening remarks, Union Minister U Thaung said, “responsible investment represents a cornerstone of this government’s vision – a vision of an economy and a society that works for everyone – that benefits the MSME on a street corner in Mandalay just as much as the major multinational up in Myanmar Plaza”
“The assistance and guidance made available to us via the OECD’s second Investment Policy Review will help us continue to promote responsible investment into Myanmar – the type that creates jobs, opens up new opportunities, sustains growth, and spreads prosperity,” he continued.
Speaking alongside the Union Minister was Mr Ranieri Sabatucci, Ambassador of the European Union to Myanmar.
“This event is a testimony to Myanmar’s commitment to engage in meaningful structural reforms of the business regulatory environment and hence to attract quality investment."
“The support of the EU through the Responsible Supply Chain in Asia programme, as one of the many examples of the EU concrete engagement in this field, will remain instrumental in supporting government and business endeavours towards Myanmar’s sustainable development," he said.
The OECD’s Investment Policy Review: Myanmar 2020, officially launched at the event and supported by Switzerland and Norway, was subject of a panel discussion with Myanmar and International business leaders, following an initial report in 2014 and taking stock of recent achievements in the country. The discussions also assessed the continuing policy challenges to supporting a responsible business environment and ensuring that the benefits of investment flow to the broader Myanmar population - helping the country achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and improving the lives of its people.
Another panel looked at the role of responsible business conduct and the adherence to international guidelines on labour and human rights in strengthening social progress and contributing to an inclusive and sustainable recovery for the country.
This session, supported by the European Union through the EU-funded Responsible Supply Chains in Asia programme, looked at the place of instruments such as the OECD Guidelines for MNEs and the ILO MNE Declaration in building more sustainable and resilient supply chains in the Myanmar context.
Note to editors
The Responsible Supply Chains in Asia Project was developed by the European Union together with the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) to enable governments, businesses and workers to communicate on challenges and opportunities relating to corporate social responsibility in six Asian countries – China, Japan, Myanmar, Philippines, Thailand, and Viet Nam. It uses as a basis for its research, outreach, policy advocacy and training internationally recognised guidelines on responsible business conduct, the OECD’s Guidelines for multinational enterprises , and the ILO’s MNE declaration .
For more information about the Responsible Supply Chains in Asia Project, visit www.ilo.org/rsca or contact:
Mr Theerawich Tanprasert
Knowledge and Management Officer, RSCA Programme
tanprasert@ilo.org