Business and the Military
Individual Documents
Sub-title:
Military’s $2m lease to luxury hotel does not appear in defence budget, but auditor general’s hands tied
Description:
"Myanmar’s auditor general is unable to probe a $2m-a-year military real estate deal because a law drafted by the former junta shields the defence ministry from scrutiny, a senior official has said.
Two military offices are leasing a plot of land to a company for a luxury hotel project, Myanmar Now reported last month, but the money does not appear in the defence budget.
Naing Thet Oo, permanent secretary of the auditor general’s office, said at a press conference in Nay Pyi Taw on Monday that her office had no power to audit the deal.
“It’s not in our jurisdiction,” she said, responding to a question from Myanmar Now. “We don’t have the right to do it.”
The Union Auditor General Law was drafted in 2010 by the State Peace and Development Council. It gives the auditor general the powers to investigate the finances of every other government ministry.
Section 39, at the very end, reads: “the provisions contained in this Law shall not apply to the Ministry of Defence.”
With its overwhelming majority in parliament, the NLD-led government could easily scrap the law.
“There is no good reason, in principle or in practice, for the military to be exempt from any state oversight mechanism,” said Chris Sidoti, a lawyer who worked on a UN fact-finding mission that investigated the military’s business ties last year.
“Why should it be? The military is as much a part of the state structure as any other state agency and should be subject to exactly the same kind of oversight and regulation,” he told Myanmar Now..."
Source/publisher:
"Myanmar Now" (Myanmar)
Date of publication:
2020-06-10
Date of entry/update:
2020-06-10
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Language:
more
Sub-title:
Beer giant Kirin has hired Deloitte financial advisers to investigate MEHL profits after the conglomerate proved uncooperative on due diligence
Description:
"Japanese beer giant Kirin said it may cut ties with its joint-venture partner Myanma Economic Holdings (MEHL) after the military conglomerate repeatedly ignored Kirin’s requests for financial documents during a due diligence review, Kirin said Friday.
Since February, Kirin has been asking MEHL for financial information as part of a “strategic review” of its Myanmar operations. The company said on Friday that MEHL, after first providing “insufficient” documentation, has been unresponsive.
Kirin is the majority owner in joint ventures with MEHL of both the Myanmar Brewery and the Mandalay Brewery, together producing about 80% of the beer consumed in Myanmar. The review came after several human rights campaigns raised concerns about MEHL profits potentially funding a military accused of genocide.
A detailed UN report from 2019 urged companies to stop doing business with MEHL, saying it and its associated businesses continue to help fund human rights abuses against ethnic communities across Myanmar.
MEHL is headed by commander-in-chief Min Aung Hlaing, who the UN has recommended be tried for genocide for leading a campaign of mass murder, rape and arson against the Rohingya in Rakhine state in 2017.
Kirin’s requests having gone unheeded, the company has now hired financial consultants from Deloitte “to determine the destination of proceeds” from its joint ventures with MEHL, it said in a statement Friday..."
Source/publisher:
"Myanmar Now" (Myanmar)
Date of publication:
2020-06-07
Date of entry/update:
2020-06-07
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Language:
more
Sub-title:
The economic ventures of the Kayin State Border Guard Force have gained notoriety, but the group insists its businesses benefit the Karen people.
Description:
"COLONEL Saw Min Min Oo is the managing director of Chit Linn Myaing Co Ltd, a company owned by the Kayin Border Guard Force that oversees a growing stable of lucrative businesses. The ethnic Karen armed group’s readiness to partner with shadowy Chinese investors, and to undertake projects with seemingly little regard for Myanmar law, is deeply controversial. Its most audacious venture so far is the vast “new city” project next to the Kayin BGF’s headquarters of Shwe Kokko Myaing in Kayin State’s Myawaddy Township, popularly dubbed as a “Chinatown” because of the largely Chinese financing and workforce.
However, Min Min Oo insisted that the profits from these ventures don’t only accrue to the armed group, which is aligned to the Tatmadaw, but are shared with “the residents of our Karen land”.
Min Min Oo was a 55-year-old battalion commander in the Democratic Karen Buddhist Army nine years ago when it became a Border Guard Force under Tatmadaw command and he was appointed to run Chit Linn Myaing. The company’s board of directors is made up of officers from the BGF, he said.
When Frontier met Min Min Oo briefly in Yangon in October, he was dressed casually in a Karen blue-and-red longyi. He spoke limited Burmese, and a later phone interview with him was done mostly in the S’gaw Karen language.
The Kayin BGF, whose supreme commander is Colonel Saw Chit Thu, has about 6,000 troops and was formed in August 2010 with 12 battalions from the DKBA and one battalion from the Haungtharaw-based Karen Peace Front. It is one of several BGFs in borderland areas of Myanmar, which were formed at that time out of ethnic armed factions that had come to ally themselves with the Tatmadaw..."
Source/publisher:
"Frontier Myanmar" (Myanmar)
Date of publication:
2019-12-16
Date of entry/update:
2019-12-16
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Category:
Economy of Karen (Kayin) State, Business and the Military, Burma's economic relations with China, China-Burma relations
Language:
more
Description:
"The Future of the Myanmar Defense Industry – Market Attractiveness, Competitive Landscape and Forecasts to 2022, published by Strategic Defence Intelligence, provides readers with detailed analysis of both historic and forecast defense industry values, factors influencing demand, the challenges faced by industry participants, analysis of industry leading companies, and key news. This report offers detailed analysis of the Myanmar defense industry with market size forecasts covering the next five years. This report will also analyze factors that influence demand for the industry, key market trends, and challenges faced by industry participants.
In particular, it provides an in-depth analysis of the following –
– The Myanmar defense industry market size and drivers: detailed analysis of the Myanmar defense industry during 2018-2022, including highlights of the demand drivers and growth stimulators for the industry. It also provides a snapshot of the country’s expenditure and modernization patterns
– Budget allocation and key challenges: insights into procurement schedules formulated within the country and a breakdown of the defense budget. It also details the key challenges faced by defense market participants within the country
– Porter’s Five Force analysis of the Myanmar defense industry: analysis of the market characteristics by determining the bargaining power of suppliers, bargaining power of buyers, threat of substitution, intensity of rivalry, and barriers to entry
– Import and Export Dynamics: analysis of prevalent trends in the country’s imports and exports over the last five years
– Market opportunities: details of the top five defense investment opportunities over the next 10 years
– Competitive landscape and strategic insights: analysis of the competitive landscape of the Myanmar defense industry. It provides an overview of key players, together with insights such as key alliances, strategic initiatives, and a brief financial analysis..."
Source/publisher:
"Orbis" (New York) via "News Tribune" (Duluth)
Date of publication:
2019-12-16
Date of entry/update:
2019-12-16
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Language:
more
Description:
"The Union of Myanmar Economic Holdings Limited (UMEHL) announced on Thursday that, after being linked to the military for more than two decades, the conglomerate has transitioned into a public company.
According to state-run media, shares for UMEHL, which was founded in 1990 with two shareholder groups, will be consolidated into one group. This move by the board of directors and shareholders will effectively transform UMEHL from a special company, under the 1950 Special Companies Act, into a public one, under the 1914 Myanmar Companies Act..."
Kyaw Hsu Mon
Source/publisher:
"The Irrawaddy"
Date of publication:
2016-03-31
Date of entry/update:
2016-04-04
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Category:
Business and the Military
Language:
English
more
Description:
"Burma?s dramatic turn-around from ?axis of evil? to western darling in the past year has been imagined as Asia?s ?final frontier? for global finance institutions, markets and capital. Burma?s agrarian landscape is home to three-fourths of the country?s total population which is now being constructed as a potential prime investment sink for domestic and international agribusiness. The Global North?s development aid industry and IFIs operating in Burma has consequently repositioned itself to proactively shape a pro-business legal environment to decrease political and economic risks to enable global finance capital to more securely enter Burma?s markets, especially in agribusiness. But global capitalisms are made in localized places - places that make and are made from embedded social relations. This paper uncovers how regional political histories that are defined by very particular racial and geographical undertones give shape to Burma?s emerging agro-industrial complex. The country?s still smoldering ethnic civil war and fragile untested liberal democracy is additionally being overlain with an emerging war on food sovereignty. A discursive and material struggle over land is taking shape to convert subsistence agricultural landscapes and localized food production into modern, mechanized industrial agro-food regimes. This second agrarian transformation is being fought over between a growing alliance among the western development aid and IFI industries, global finance capital, and a solidifying Burmese military-private capitalist class against smallholder farmers who work and live on the country?s now most valuable asset - land. Grassroots resistances increasingly confront the elite capitalist class? attempts to corporatize food production through the state?s rule of law and police force. Farmers, meanwhile, are actively developing their own shared vision of food sovereignty and pro-poor land reform that desires greater attention....
Food Sovereignty: a critical dialogue, 14 - 15 September, New Haven.
Kevin Woods
Source/publisher:
Transnational Institute (TNI)
Date of publication:
2013-09-03
Date of entry/update:
2013-09-04
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Category:
Policies leading to food insecurity in Burma, Land confiscation for military, commercial and other purposes, Development in Myanmar - various texts, Laws, decrees, bills and regulations relating to land, property and planning (commentary), All international financial institutions (IFIs) and their watchers, Business and the Military, Agricultural land confiscation/grabbing, TNI-BCN Project on Ethnic Conflict in Burma
Language:
English
more
Description:
Air Bagan, the Burmese domestic airline owned by tycoon Tay Za, soared to new heights at this year?s Thingyan water festival in Rangoon, flying in foreign disc jockeys and dancers to keep the crowds entertained.
Source/publisher:
"The Irrawaddy" Vol. 18, No. 5
Date of publication:
2010-05-00
Date of entry/update:
2010-08-29
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Category:
Business and the Military
Language:
English
more
Description:
"...The regime?s persistent military targeting of ethnic peoples has significantly compounded the negative effects of economic mismanagement. Although the ethnic conflict in Burma is widely considered a human rights problem, many of the regime?s tactics are economic; in an attempt to starve them into submission, ethnic groups are routinely denied the ability to secure an income sufficient for survival...
Continued conflict and human rights abuses have severely weakened the economy, to the detriment of both ethnic peoples and the general population, and made economic reform a practical impossibility in Burma. Although gross human rights violations and cultural destruction seem not to bother Burma?s government, perhaps the impossibility of sustaining the country on a continually deteriorating economic base will eventually force the ruling power to make concessions and respect the rights of Burma?s ethnic nationalities."
Laura Frankel
Source/publisher:
"Cultural Survival Quarterly" Issue 24.3
Date of publication:
2000-10-31
Date of entry/update:
2010-08-17
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Category:
Business and the Military, Agricultural policy, Economy of non-Burman groups in several States of Burma
Language:
English
more
Description:
"Burmese businessmen were once a force for positive political change in Burma; now they serve nobody?s interests but their own—and the generals?...Long gone are the days when Burmese admired their country?s most successful entrepreneurs. Burmese business empires were once a source of pride to a subject people living under British rule, and native-born tycoons were regarded as patriotic men of the people. How things have changed...Now, as Burma?s gross domestic product per capita remains at less than half that of Cambodia, millionaires mingle with generals over glasses of champagne, enjoying the fruits of a new economic order that has done nothing to lift the rest of the population out of grinding poverty..."
Aung Zaw
Source/publisher:
"The Irrawaddy" Vol. 16, No. 9
Date of publication:
2008-09-00
Date of entry/update:
2008-11-13
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Category:
Business and the Military
Language:
English
more
Description:
"THREE years after profiling Burma?s most successful tycoons in its September 2005 issue, The Irrawaddy is again directing attention to the men who govern the country?s business world. They continue to prosper, and have been joined by others, yet they are coming increasingly under the international spotlight and critical scrutiny.
Many of those who featured in our September 2005 issue found themselves on another list last year—penalized by US and EU sanctions because of their relationship with, and unquestioning support for, Burma?s military regime.
The sanctions list contained such names as Tay Za and his elder brother, Thi Ha; Asia World?s director Tun Myint Naing; Aung Thet Mann, whose father is the regime?s third most powerful general; and Khin Shwe, who faithfully attended the regime-sponsored National Convention and is well connected to the top junta leaders.
They were penalized by the US shortly after the regime they so assiduously back brutally suppressed demonstrations last September demanding changes that would advance prosperity and freedom for all, not just a favored clique..."
Source/publisher:
"The Irrawaddy" Vol. 16, No. 9
Date of publication:
2008-09-00
Date of entry/update:
2008-11-13
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Category:
Business and the Military
Language:
English
more
Description:
Burma?s business czars tread a wary path...
"In today?s Burma, two groups of people command from the general population a mixture of envy, anger and a dose of admiration. The first group is, of course, the military leadership, the generals who have been governing the country since 1988.
The rulers of Burma have so far somehow failed to persuade the public to accept the notion that the military government is there to serve the interests of the country and its citizens. The regime remains deeply unloved by most of the population.
The second group is the tycoons who grow rich in their impoverished country. Since the regime introduced an ?open market economy? in 1989 and abandoned the ?Burmese Way to Socialism? introduced by the previous government, many have taken advantage of this change, and the country has seen a growing number of tycoons and entrepreneurs.
Entrepreneurs opened business offices and set up companies overnight as they became self-appointed CEOs or managing directors in newly-established companies. Chauffeured in their powerful SUVs and sleek Mercedes Benz limousines, they travel far, locally and internationally, to conduct business and find new markets. Their business interests cover export-import, construction, agriculture, transportation and communications, mining, hotels and tourism, and the garment trade..."
Aung Zaw
Source/publisher:
"The Irrawaddy" Vol. 13, No. 9
Date of publication:
2005-09-00
Date of entry/update:
2006-04-30
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Category:
Business and the Military
Language:
English
more
Description:
Profile of a modern Burmese empire-builder...
"It wouldn?t be wrong to say many young men dream of a military career in military-ruled Burma. It promises both power and security. That may be what 20-year-old Te Za had in mind when he enrolled at the Defense Service Academy, Burma?s prestigious military academy, 20 years ago.
If so, he shattered his own dream by eventually dropping out of the DSA to elope with his love, Thida Zaw, whom he later married. But Te Za (also spelled Tay Za) has no regrets. Today he is one of Burma?s most promising tycoons, a millionaire with both power and deep pockets.
As president and managing director of Htoo Trading Company, Te Za is a major player in Burma?s tourism, logging, palm oil, real estate, hotel and housing development industries. He now controls 80 percent of the country?s legal timber production..."
Aung Zaw
Source/publisher:
"The Irrawaddy" Vol. 13, No. 6
Date of publication:
2005-06-00
Date of entry/update:
2006-04-28
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Category:
Business and the Military
Language:
English
more
Description:
Burma: Fairer Handel, ›Deglobalisierung und andere Alternativen? Eine Diskussion von Walden Bellos Konzept der De-Globalisierung und Lokalisierung angewandt auf Burma. Warum sind die Ideen der globalisierungskritischen Bewegung derzeit auf Burma nicht anwendbar?
key words: anti-globalisation, fair trade, military / state economy, neo-liberalism,
Alfred Oehlers, Deutsch von Gudrun Witte
Source/publisher:
Südostasien Jg. 19, Nr. 1 - Asienhaus
Date of publication:
2003-01-00
Date of entry/update:
2004-01-08
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Language:
Deutsch, German, English
Format :
pdf
Size:
51.25 KB
Local URL:
more
Description:
Drug money and close ties with top generals are two of the not-so-secret ingredients in the success stories of some of Burma?s richest men. Using a variety of sources, this special report takes a look at what lies behind the rising fortunes of four of Burma?s leading businessmen of the past decade.
Source/publisher:
"The Irrawaddy" Vol. 8, No. 6
Date of publication:
2000-06-00
Date of entry/update:
2003-06-03
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Category:
Business and the Military
Language:
English
more
Description:
Drug money and close ties with top generals are two of the not-so-secret ingredients in the success stories of some of Burma?s richest men. Using a variety of sources, this special report takes a look at what lies behind the rising fortunes of four of Burma?s leading businessmen of the past decade...Thein Tun (Myanmar Golden Star Co., Ltd., Crusher Drinks, Tun Foundation Bank); Michael Moe Myint (Myint & Associates Company Limited).
Kyaw Win [May Flower] (Myanmar May Flower Bank Limited, Chin Su Plywood Industry); U Kyaw Win (Shwe Than Lwin Company); U Kyaw Myint (Golden Flower Co., Ltd., Shwemarlar Housing Project, Two Fish Brand Pure Groundnut oil)...
Source/publisher:
"The Irrawaddy", Vol. 8. No. 7
Date of publication:
2000-07-00
Date of entry/update:
2003-06-03
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Category:
Business and the Military
Language:
English
more
Description:
This is the last installment of our Burmese Tycoons series. We hope it has provided a useful overview of the Burmese business environment.
Source/publisher:
"The Irrawaddy" Vol. 8, No. 8
Date of publication:
2000-08-00
Date of entry/update:
2003-06-03
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Category:
Business and the Military
Language:
English
more
Description:
Business people in Burma gamble their fortunes -- and their freedom -- on picking the winners in the country?s power struggles.
Maung Maung Oo
Source/publisher:
"The Irrawaddy", Vol. 9. No. 1
Date of publication:
2001-01-00
Date of entry/update:
2003-06-03
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Category:
Business and the Military
Language:
English
more
Description:
"Despite draconian laws and official denial, sex is big business in Burma. But brothel owners find it doesn?t pay to offend the morals of modest generals..."
Aung Zaw
Source/publisher:
"The Irrawaddy, Vol. 9. No. 2
Date of publication:
2001-02-00
Date of entry/update:
2003-06-03
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Category:
Business and the Military
Language:
English
more
Description:
Following up on our Burmese Tycoons series, The Irrawaddy presents thispersonal account of the pitfalls of doing business in Burma.
Maung Maung Oo
Source/publisher:
"The Irrawaddy", Vol. 8. No. 9
Date of publication:
2000-09-00
Date of entry/update:
2003-06-03
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Category:
Business and the Military
Language:
English
more