Myanmar Considers the EITI Global Transparency Standard

NAYPYIDAW, Myanmar, July 16, 2012 /PRNewswire/ –

Jonas Moberg, Head of the EITI International Secretariat is in Myanmar 16 – 17 July
2012.

The visit follows an invitation from U Soe Thane, Minister of Industry, who during the
Myanmar Forum in Singapore in June announced that “in time, we plan to introduce and
practice Extractive Industries Transparency Initiatives (EITI)”. As part of its broader
reform efforts, the Government of Myanmar is now exploring the benefits of EITI
implementation. “We are preparing to be a signatory to the Extractive Industries
Transparency Initiative to ensure that there is maximum transparency in these sectors and
try to make sure the benefits go to the vast majority of the people and not to a small
group,” said President TheinSein in an interview last week.

(Photo:
http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120713/543736 )

The purpose of the visit by the EITI Secretariat is to provide a briefing on EITI and
discuss opportunities for implementation with government, private sector and civil society
representatives. On Monday 16 July, the delegation will first meet with ministers and
government officials in an EITI roundtable in Naypyidaw, followed by a meeting with Aung
San SuuKyi and other representatives from Parliament. On Tuesday 17 July, the delegation
will travel to Yangon to meet with civil society organisations and representatives from
the diplomatic community.

Before heading to Myanmar Jonas Moberg said “The EITI welcomes the Government of
Myanmar’s intention to implement the EITI. As the government embarks on reforms and
continues to welcome foreign investments, it is important that secrecy is replaced with
transparency. The EITI, including countries in the region implementing the EITI such as
Indonesia, stand ready to assist the government in implementing the EITI, even if it may
take some time before it is ready to submit a candidature application. Building trust
between the government, companies and wider society starts before full implementation of
the EITI.”

Notes to editors:

1. Media enquiries and further questions about EITI’s visit to Myanmar can be directed
to Sam Bartlett, Technical Director and Regional Director for Asia: sbartlett@eiti.org
, +47-902-67-530.

2. The EITI is a coalition of governments, companies, civil society groups, all of
which are represented on the international EITI Board [http://eiti.org/about/board ]. The
Rt Hon Clare Short [http://eiti.org/cshort ] is Chair of the EITI Board. Jonas Moberg is
the Head of the EITI International Secretariat. His bio is available here
[http://eiti.org/node/80. ].

    Photo: 

http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120713/543736

SOURCE EITI