"Drawn by prominent Myanmar cartoonist Aw Pi Kyeh, the cartoons cover topics such as eating and drinking, dress code, greetings and body language and are designed to highlight the importance of listening to and learning from local people, to help prevent conflict and contribute to commercial success. “Respect for Myanmar’s many cultures is an important part of promoting equality, combating discrimination and creating a respectful workplace,” said MCRB director Vicky Bowman. “Minor cultural misunderstandings by foreign company employees can escalate into wider grievances – including with local communities – which can ultimately jeopardise investments. They can also contribute to a less motivated and unproductive workplace,” she added. The publication seeks to help foreign managers and executives understand Myanmar culture and avoid cross-cultural misunderstandings with local communities. It was authored by the MCRB, in partnership with DICA - which is under the Ministry of Investment and Foreign Economic Relations (MIFER) - and with input from other ministries. “Responsible investment is respectful investment,” MIFER Minister U Thaung Tun said, referring to the launch of the guidebook. “Respect for diverse cultures and traditions will undoubtedly contribute to the wider goals of our government, including sustainable peace.” The cartoons primarily focus on building mutual respect and understanding, rather than legal requirements. But the guide makes clear that investors should ensure that they are familiar with Myanmar workplace laws, such as labour, health and safety and environmental protection regulations..."