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Corporate Social Responsibility
News
8.20.2003 ET
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CSR News from:
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Burma Campaign UK
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News Category:
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'Dirty List' Exposes Companies Supporting Regime in Burma
The Burma Campaign UK today publishes an updated version of its 'Dirty List' of companies whose operations are directly or indirectly helping to finance the military dictatorship in Burma.
(CSRwire) LONDON - Advertising giant WPP, Ernst & Young,
P&O Cruises, Deutsche Post, and Hutchison Whampoa subsidiaries Superdrug
and 3 Mobile have all been added to the Burma Campaign's 'Dirty List'.
They join British American Tobacco (BAT), Suzuki, Total Oil, construction
firm Kajima, Lonely Planet, Austrian Airlines, PriceWaterhouseCoopers,
Daewoo, and Orient Express.
"The 'Dirty List' exposes companies who are directly or indirectly helping
to finance one of the most brutal regimes in the world," said John Jackson,
Director of Burma Campaign UK. "Foreign investment and trade can benefit
developing countries, but in Burma it helps finance a regime that uses
rape, torture and murder to oppress its own people."
WPP's successful takeover of Cordiant Communications means they now have a
subsidiary in Burma - Bates Myanmar. Ernst & Young have a partner in Burma.
P&O Cruises have merged with Carnival Corporation, which operates cruises
to Burma. Deutsche Post subsidiary DHL has a subsidiary in Burma which is
a joint venture with the regime. Superdrug and 3 mobile join the 'Dirty
List' as subsidiaries of Hutchison Whampoa, which operates a port in
Burma.
Gary Player Design, owned by golf legend Gary Player, Intrepid Travel,
PanMacmillan, and Noble Caledonia are other new additions to the list.
The list mainly targets British companies or companies with a significant
presence in Britain. A total of 78 are named and shamed. An updated 'Clean
List' of companies who have pulled out or have policies not to trade with
Burma is also released today. These include Premier Oil, Kuoni, M&S, Next,
Levi's, Texaco and Triumph International.
"Most companies will not get involved with Burma because of the ethical
issues involved," says John Jackson. "It is significant that even without
investment sanctions only two FTSE 100 companies, BAT and WPP, have any
significant involvement in Burma." In July the British government asked
BAT to pull out of Burma.
The travel industry dominates the list, with 26 travel companies operating
tours to Burma and 12 companies publishing guides that encourage people to
visit the country. There is a tourist boycott of Burma as tourism is an
important source of income for the regime, and much tourist infrastructure
has been built using slave labour and child labour. The Burma Campaign UK
is currently calling for a boycott of Lonely Planet as it publishes a
guide to Burma.
The list is intended as a resource for investors and campaigners. Campaign
action sheets for each of the companies are available on the Burma Campaign
UK website: www.burmacampaign.org.uk.
For more information and a word version of the Dirty List, contact Mark
Farmaner, Media Officer, on 020 7281 7377, mobile 07941 239 640.
THE 'DIRTY LIST' FOLLOWS.
COMPANIES SUPPORTING THE REGIME IN BURMA
'THE DIRTY LIST'
INTRODUCTION
Burma is a country ruled by one of the longest running and most brutal
military dictatorships in the world; a dictatorship charged by the United
Nations with a "crime against humanity" for its systematic abuses of human
rights, and condemned internationally for refusing to transfer power to the
legally elected Government of the country - the party led by Nobel Peace
Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi.
In May 2003 a pro government militia attacked a convoy Aung San Suu Kyi
was travelling in. Up to one hundred of her supporters were massacred.
Aung San Suu Kyi escaped the attack, but was arrested by the regime. She
remains under arrest, her whereabouts unknown.
In response to calls from Burma's democracy movement, the Burma Campaign
UK and other campaign groups around the world have been pressuring
companies to sever business ties with Burma. Whereas in many developing
countries foreign investment and trade can benefit the poor, in Burma it
has the opposite effect. Instead it funds a brutal dictatorship, helping
it to cling on to power.
The European Parliament, the British government, Burma's democrats, the US
government and many other bodies and institutions recognise the role
investment plays in strengthening Burma's regime. The British government
actively discourages trade and investment in Burma and has called on
companies to pull out. In July 2003 it asked British American Tobacco to
pull out of Burma.
Concern about the role foreign investment plays in perpetuating the brutal
regime is also widespread in the private sector. In December 2001 European
investment funds managing over £400bn in assets issued a groundbreaking
statement of concern about companies investing in Burma.
Over the last five years a large number of foreign companies have
withdrawn from the country. The reasons cited for doing so include:
difficulties in working with the regime, consumer boycotts, damage to
company reputation and incompatibility with corporate values. These
companies now include amongst others: Texaco, Adidas, Kuoni, Premier Oil,
Triumph International, Levi Strauss, PepsiCo, Erickson, Heineken,
Carlsberg, British Home Stores, Burton, River Island, Apple, Reebok and
Compaq.
Companies remaining in Burma often attempt to justify their involvement by
claiming that pulling out would harm ordinary Burmese people. Aung San Suu
Kyi disputes this. Two days after her release from house arrest in May
2002, Aung San Suu Kyi stated "I don't think we have found evidence that
sanctions have harmed the Burmese people, because they have been clearly
limited and many of those who have suffered under sanctions have belonged
to the business community. Naturally some ordinary employees have been
exposed, but we have not yet found proof that large numbers of Burmese
have suffered as a result of sanctions. Sanctions have a role to play
because they are a strong political message. But also because they are an
economic message."
Companies are attracted to Burma by wages as low as 17p a day, a compliant
workforce where unions are banned, and limited health and safety laws which
in any case are rarely enforced. The minimum working age is 13.
This list of companies supporting the regime in Burma (The Dirty List)
mainly consists of British companies or foreign companies with a
significant presence in Britain. It lists companies whose involvement in
Burma provides financial or other support to the regime. Subsidiaries or
parent companies of companies on the dirty list are automatically included
on the 'Dirty List'. This 'Dirty List' is not a definitive list of every
single company which operates in Burma. The Burma Campaign UK is not
calling for a total trade boycott of Burma. We are calling for targeted
sanctions which will cut the economic lifeline to the regime. We believe
companies on this list are directly or indirectly helping to keep the
regime in power.
This list is for use by campaigners, investment funds and individual
investors. Many people will not wish to purchase products from companies
linked with the regime in Burma. At present the Burma Campaign UK is
co-ordinating boycott campaigns targeting Lonely Planet and tourism to
Burma. We are not actively co-ordinating boycotts of all the companies on
this dirty list, however we welcome people contacting these companies
urging them to pull out. Action sheets are available at www.burmacampaign.org.uk.
We have also published a 'Clean List' of companies that have taken
principled decisions not to operate in Burma, or that have pulled out in
response to campaigns.
The Burma Campaign UK welcomes suggestions for additions to the Dirty List
that we may have neglected to include.
ADVENTURES ABROAD
Adventures Abroad is a travel tour operator which organises and promotes
holidays to Burma. Its latest guide calls Burma a "hidden jewel" with "so
much to see". No mention is made of the military dictatorship. Aung San
Suu Kyi has asked tourists not to visit Burma because it helps fund the
regime and gives it legitimacy. Forced and child labour was used to
develop many tourist facilities.
AIRPHOTO INTERNATIONAL LTD/ODYSSEY GUIDES
Airphoto is a Chinese based publishing company that produces guides to
Burma as part of its Odyssey Guide range. Aung San Suu Kyi has asked
tourists not to visit Burma because it helps fund the regime and gives it
legitimacy. Forced and child labour was used to develop many tourist
facilities.
ALEXANDER ROSE
Alexander Rose is a garden furniture company based in West Sussex and
describes itself as a 'market leader'. It is involved in every stage of
the manufacture of its furniture, from selecting the timber onwards. Burma
is one of the countries it manufactures its furniture in. Timber exports
are an important source of revenue for the regime.
ANDREW BROCK TRAVEL
Andrew Brock Travel is a tour operator that organises tours to Burma.
Andrew Brock has dismissed requests to stop selling holidays to Burma, but
said he would support armed intervention. Aung San Suu Kyi has asked
tourists not to visit Burma because it helps fund the regime and gives it
legitimacy. Forced and child labour was used to develop many tourist
facilities.
AON CORPORATION
Aon Corporation is a global risk management, reinsurance and consulting
company. Its head office is in the USA. Aon has two offices in Burma. It
operates a reinsurance business based on contracts awarded by Myanmar
Insurance, a company owned and controlled by the military regime.
AUDLEY TRAVEL
Audley Travel is a travel company that organises tours to Burma. It also
promotes holidays to Burma in national newspapers, including the Sunday
Telegraph, The Times, The Guardian and The Observer. Aung San Suu Kyi has
asked tourists not to visit Burma because it helps fund the regime and
gives it legitimacy. Forced and child labour was used to develop many
tourist facilities.
AUSTRIAN AIRLINES/LAUDA AIR
Lauda Air is part of Austrian Airlines. In November 2002 Lauda began
direct flights to Burma. Lauda expect the service to be used by tourists
and business travellers. Lauda is also promoting Burma as a holiday
destination. Aung San Suu Kyi has asked tourists not to visit Burma
because it helps fund the regime and gives it legitimacy. Forced and child
labour was used to develop many tourist facilities.
BALES WORLDWIDE
Bales Worldwide is a travel company that organises tours to Burma. Its
2003 brochure promotes holidays to what it calls "the Golden Land".
Although the brochure admits there are 'conflicting views' on whether
tourists should visit Burma, it argues in favour of tourism. Aung San Suu
Kyi has asked tourists not to visit Burma because it helps fund the regime
and gives it legitimacy. Forced and child labour was used to develop many
tourist facilities.
BRANDTEX
Brandtex is a Danish clothing company with retail outlets across Europe.
It also sells clothing in the UK through small retailers. Documents
released by the Norwegian government reveal Brandtex sources clothing from
Burma. Clothing exports are an important source of income for the
regime.
BRITISH AMERICAN TOBACCO (BAT)
BAT is one of the most important UK investors in Burma. Its Burmese
subsidiary - Rothmans of Pall Mall Myanmar - is a joint venture with the
military regime. In 1996 the industrial zone where the factory is located
was upgraded using child labour. Factory workers are paid as little as 17p
a day. The factory earns the regime around $400,000 a year in profits and
has paid it an estimated additional $16m in taxes.
CARNIVAL/P&O
Carnival Corporation merged with P&O Cruises in April 2003. The combined
company owns cruise lines P&O Cruises, Cunard, Costa, Windstar, Holland
America and Seabourn. Seabourn operates cruises which visit Burma.
Brochures make no mention of the military dictatorship. Aung San Suu Kyi
has asked tourists not to visit Burma because it helps fund the regime and
gives it legitimacy. Forced and child labour was used to develop many
tourist facilities.
CHAMPION TIMBER
Champion Timber is a Timber merchant that sources teak from Burma. Timber
exports are an important source of income for Burma's dictatorship.
CROWN RELOCATIONS
Crown Relocations is a Hong Kong based company with offices in the UK. It
is employed by governments, corporations and non-government agencies to
arrange relocation of staff when they need to work overseas. Crown has an
office in Burma which facilitates the transfer of expat staff employed by
foreign investors in Burma. Crown strongly defends foreign investment in
Burma.
DAEWOO INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
Daewoo is a South Korean conglomerate with interests ranging from oil and
gas, to grain, televisions and cars. It is a partner in the Bay of Bengal
gas exploration project in Burma which is expected to reveal reserves
valued at $100 million. Daewoo Motors also has a car assembly plant which
is a joint venture with Myanmar Automobile and Diesel Industries (MADI).
MADI is owned and controlled by the regime. It also has timber
manufacturing and clothing interests in Burma.
DIETHELM KELLER GROUP/STA TRAVEL
Diethelm Keller Group is a private Swiss company with a wide range of
investments, including Diethelm Travel, which operates holiday tours to
Burma. Diethelm boasts that it pioneered tourism to Burma. Diethelm also
own STA travel. Aung San Suu Kyi has asked tourists not to visit Burma
because it helps fund the regime and gives it legitimacy. Forced and child
labour was used to develop many tourist facilities.
DEUTSCHE POST/DHL
Deutsche Post own DHL, a global parcel delivery service. They have a
subsidiary in Burma that is a joint venture with the military regime. The
DHL website has "information that may be of interest to you when doing
business with Myanmar."
EASTRAVEL
Eastravel is a UK travel company offering tours to Burma. Aung San Suu Kyi
has asked tourists not to visit Burma because it helps fund the regime and
gives it legitimacy. Forced and child labour was used to develop many
tourist facilities.
EDEN FURNITURE
Eden Furniture is a garden furniture manufacturer that sources timber from
Burma. Timber exports are an important source of income for Burma's
dictatorship.
ERNST & YOUNG
Ernst & Young are a global financial services group providing accountancy
and financial advice to businesses. Ernst & Young have an associated firm
in Burma, U Tin Win Group.
EXPLORERS TOURS
Explorers Tours organise diving holidays to Burma. Their 2002/2003
brochure offers two diving trips. Aung San Suu Kyi has asked tourists not
to visit Burma because it helps fund the regime and gives it legitimacy.
Forced and child labour was used to develop many tourist facilities.
FODOR'S
Fodor's are an American publishing company that specialises in travel
guides. Their South East Asia guide includes a section on Burma which
helps facilitate tourism to the country. Aung San Suu Kyi has asked
tourists not to visit Burma because it helps fund the regime and gives it
legitimacy. Forced and child labour was used to develop many tourist
facilities.
FRESHFIELD BRUCKHAUS DERINGER
Freshfield Bruckhaus Deringer is an international business law firm. They
advise Malaysian oil company Petronas on its Yetagun gas pipeline which
exports gas from Burma.
FROMMER'S GUIDEBOOKS/WILEY PUBLISHING
Wiley Publishing owns Frommers, a publisher specialising in Guidebooks.
Its South East Asia guidebook includes a section on Burma, which helps
facilitate tourism to the country. Aung San Suu Kyi has asked tourists not
to visit Burma because it helps fund the regime and gives it legitimacy.
Forced and child labour was used to develop many tourist facilities.
GARY PLAYER DESIGN
Gary Player Design is a golf course design company run by golf legend Gary
Player. His company designed the Pun Hlaing golf course in Burma. The
regime in Burma promotes golf in Burma as they hope it will attract more
tourists. Aung San Suu Kyi has asked tourists not to visit Burma because
it helps fund the regime and gives it legitimacy. Forced and child labour
was used to develop many tourist facilities.
HIGHBURY HOUSE COMMUNICATIONS/PARAGON PUBLISHING
Highbury House Communications is a UK publishing company. Highbury produce
a wide range of publications including trade and retail magazines and CNN
traveller magazine for CNN. Highbury House purchased Paragon Publishing in
July 2003. They also own Columbus Travel Publishing, which produces a
travel website www.travel-guide.com. This website includes a guide to
Burma. Columbus also supply content promoting holidays to Burma to other
websites, such as expedia.co.uk. Aung San Suu Kyi has asked tourists not
to visit Burma because it helps fund the regime and gives it legitimacy.
Forced and child labour was used to develop many tourist facilities.
HUNTER PUBLISHING/NELLES GUIDES
Hunter Publishing is an American publishing company that produces a guide
to Burma under its Nelles Guide imprint. Aung San Suu Kyi has asked
tourists not to visit Burma because it helps fund the regime and gives it
legitimacy. Forced and child labour was used to develop many tourist
facilities.
HUTCHISON WHAMPOA LTD/ 3 MOBILE/ SUPERDRUG
Hutchison Whampoa Ltd is a Hong Kong based company with a wide range of
investments around the world. In Burma it operates Myanmar International
Terminals Thilawa (MITT), a major port in Burma. It describes these port
terminals as "strategically positioned to facilitate and service Myanmar's
international trade." In the UK Hutchison owns, Superdrug, three major
ports - Felixstowe, Harwich International and Thamesport, a majority stake
in 3 Mobile, and has major stakes in luxury property developments such as
Royal Gate in Kensington, Belgravia Place near Sloane Square and Albion
Wharf in Chelsea.
INSIGHT GUIDES
Insight Guides is an independent company that produce holiday guides,
including a guide to Burma which promotes tourism to the country. Aung San
Suu Kyi has asked tourists not to visit Burma because it helps fund the
regime and gives it legitimacy. Forced and child labour was used to
develop many tourist facilities.
INTREPID TRAVEL
Intrepid Travel is an Australian tour operator with offices in the UK, USA
and Canada. Intrepid decided to pull out of Burma in 1999 because of
concerns about tourism supporting the regime. In July 2002 Intrepid
decided to return to Burma, using the excuse of Aung San Suu Kyi's release
from house arrest, even though she has stated since her release that
nothing had changed in Burma and pressure should not be relaxed. Aung San
Suu Kyi is now back under arrest, but Intrepid continue to operate tours
to Burma.
IVANHOE
Ivanhoe is a Canadian mining company with very close links to the regime
in Burma. As the largest foreign mining investor in Burma it operates the
Monywa Copper mine in a joint venture with the regime. Rail and power
infrastructure in the area of the mine was built using forced labour.
JAPAN AIRLINES/NIKKO HOTELS INTERNATIONAL
Nikko Hotels International, a subsidiary of Japan Airlines, owns hotels
all over the world. In Burma Nikko operate the Hotel Nikko Royal Lake
Yangon. In the UK they own the Montcalm-Hotel Nikko London.
KAJIMA
Kajima is a Japanese construction company with contracts all over the
world. Kajima has an office in Burma and has undertaken several
construction contracts for the regime. In the UK Kajima has won contracts
from North Tyneside and Cambridge Councils.
KIRCODAN FURNITURE
Kircodan is a Danish furniture manufacturer that sources timber from
Burma. Kircodans furniture is sold in the UK. Timber exports are an
important source of income for Burma's dictatorship.
LEEWARD CAPITAL CORP
Leeward Capital Corp are a Canadian mining company. They are in a joint
venture with the regime to mine and export amber.
LET'S GO/PAN MACMILLAN
Let's Go are an American publisher of travel guides. Pan Macmillan
publishes the Let's Go series in the UK. The Let's Go South East Asia
guide includes a section on Burma which helps facilitate tourism to the
country. Aung San Suu Kyi has asked tourists not to visit Burma because it
helps fund the regime and gives it legitimacy. Forced and child labour was
used to develop many tourist facilities.
LION MINING FINANCE
Lion Mining Finance is a British company. In late 2002 it submitted a bid
to the military regime to explore for platinum in Kachin State.
LISTER
Lister is a garden furniture manufacturer based in Sussex. It sources teak
from Burma. Timber exports are an important source of income for the
regime.
LONELY PLANET
Lonely Planet is an Australian based travel guide publishing company with
offices in France, UK and USA. Lonely Planet publish a guide to Burma
which encourages tourists to visit the country. This publishing company
believes Burma's elected democracy movement is wrong to ask tourists to
stay away. Aung San Suu Kyi has asked tourists not to visit Burma because
it helps fund the regime and gives it legitimacy. Forced and child labour
was used to develop many tourist facilities.
MAGIC OF THE ORIENT
Magic of the Orient is a travel company that organise tours to Burma. Aung
San Suu Kyi has asked tourists not to visit Burma because it helps fund the
regime and gives it legitimacy. Forced and child labour was used to develop
many tourist facilities.
MARSHALLS TRAVEL
Marshalls Travel is a Jersey based holiday company that operates tours to
Burma. Aung San Suu Kyi has asked tourists not to visit Burma because it
helps fund the regime and gives it legitimacy. Forced and child labour was
used to develop many tourist facilities.
MARUBENI
Marubeni is a Japanese company with interests ranging from oil and gas to
clothing and timber. In Burma they helped finance the Monywa Copper mine
developed by Ivanhoe. In the UK Marubeni develops oil and gas reserves in
the North Sea.
MEKONG TRAVEL
Mekong Travel is a travel company based in Buckinghamshire which
specialise in holidays to Indochina, including Burma. On their website
they describe how decades of isolation as a result of military
dictatorship "have preserved here many of the traditional features,
physical and cultural, which have been lost in other Asian countries."
Aung San Suu Kyi has asked tourists not to visit Burma because it helps
fund the regime and gives it legitimacy. Forced and child labour was used
to develop many tourist facilities.
MITSUI & CO LTD
Mitsui is a Japanese conglomerate with interests ranging from metals and
mining to electronic goods, clothes and chemicals. It is a joint venture
partner with the Burmese government in the Mingaladon Industrial Park,
which was set up to attract foreign investors to Burma.
MOON HANDBOOKS/AVALON TRAVEL
Moon Handbooks are published by Avalon Travel, an American publishing
company. Moon Handbooks South East Asia guide includes a section on Burma
which helps facilitate tourism to the country. Aung San Suu Kyi has asked
tourists not to visit Burma because it helps fund the regime and gives it
legitimacy. Forced and child labour was used to develop many tourist
facilities.
MOUNTAIN TRAVEL SOBEK
Mountain Travel Sobek is an adventure travel company with offices in the
US and UK. They operate tours to Burma. Aung San Suu Kyi has asked
tourists not to visit Burma because it helps fund the regime and gives it
legitimacy. Forced and child labour was used to develop many tourist
facilities.
NEW HORIZONS TRAVELS AND TOURS LTD
New Horizons Travels and Tours is a London based company that organise
holidays to Burma. They promote them through their website
burmaexpeditions.com. Aung San Suu Kyi has asked tourists not to visit
Burma because it helps fund the regime and gives it legitimacy. Forced and
child labour was used to develop many tourist facilities.
NIPPON OIL
Japanese oil firm Nippon Oil are one of the joint venture partners
developing the Yadana offshore gas field in Burma, which is expected to
earn the military regime millions of dollars.
NOBLE CALEDONIA
Noble Caledonia is a British holiday cruise company offering cruises all
over the world. They operate a cruise on the Irrawaddy River in Burma.
Aung San Suu Kyi has asked tourists not to visit Burma because it helps
fund the regime and gives it legitimacy. Forced and child labour was used
to develop many tourist facilities.
NORTON ROSE
Norton Rose is a major international law firm with its main office in the
City of London. Through its office in Singapore Norton Rose has worked for
many investors and companies operating in Burma.
ORACLE ENERGY GROUP
Oracle Energy Group is a Canadian oil and gas exploration company. It is
managed by teams in the UK and Canada. In February 2002 the company
announced it had won a contract with the military dictatorship in Burma to
conduct a review of potential oil and gas reserves in the country.
PEREGRINE ADVENTURES
Peregrine Adventures is an Australian travel company with an office in
London. Peregrine offer 12 day tours of Burma. Aung San Suu Kyi has asked
tourists not to visit Burma because it helps fund the regime and gives it
legitimacy. Forced and child labour was used to develop many tourist
facilities.
PETRONAS
Petronas is a Malaysian state owned oil and gas company. It has several
contracts with the regime in Burma to extract and explore for oil and gas
in the country.
PETTITTS
Pettitts is a travel company based in Kent. They offer a 9 day tour of
Burma. They are one of the few travel companies to mention that there are
ethical problems with visiting Burma. Aung San Suu Kyi has asked tourists
not to visit Burma because it helps fund the regime and gives it
legitimacy. Forced and child labour was used to develop many tourist
facilities.
PINAULT-PRINTEMPS-REDOUTE (PPR)/LA REDOUTE/GUCCI GROUP
PPR own La Redoute, a French clothing company with a growing presence in
the UK catalogue market. La Redoute source clothes from Burma. PPR are
also the majority shareholder in Gucci, which in turn owns Yves Saint
Laurent Clothing Exports are an important source of income for the
regime.
PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS (PwC)
PwC have a partner in Burma, PricewaterhouseCoopers Hla Tun Consultants
Ltd, to which they refer clients wanting business advice in Burma. A
member of the PwC network is a part owner of Hla Tun.
THE RAILWAY TOURING COMPANY
The Railway Touring Company offers tours of Burma by steam trains hired
from the regime. Aung San Suu Kyi has asked tourists not to visit Burma
because it helps fund the regime and gives it legitimacy. Forced and child
labour was used to develop many tourist facilities.
RESULT
Result is a UK clothing manufacturer which sources clothes from Burma.
Garment exports are an important source of income for the regime.
SCANSIA SDN BHD
Scansia Sdn Bhd is a Malaysian company. Scanisa Myanmar manufactures
garden furniture in a plant in Rangoon. All its timber is purchased from
the regime owned company Myanmar Timber Enterprise (MTE). The furniture is
exported to the UK, Denmark, Sweden, Norway and Japan.
SCHLUMBERGER
Schlumberger is an American technology company which operate all over the
world. Schlumberger Oilfield Services operates an oil rig in Burma. It
also operates oil rigs in UK waters in the North Sea.
SEA CONTAINERS/ORIENT EXPRESS
Orient Express is a subsidiary of Sea Containers. It offers holidays to
Burma including cruises on the Irrawaddy river. Its promotional material
makes no mention of the regime or that tourists have been asked to stay
away. Sea containers also own GNER railways, Hoverspeed, and Folkestone
Port. Aung San Suu Kyi has asked tourists not to visit Burma because it
helps fund the regime and gives it legitimacy. Forced and child labour was
used to develop many tourist facilities.
SILVERBIRD TRAVEL
Silverbird Travel is a London based travel company that operates tours to
Burma. Aung San Suu Kyi has asked tourists not to visit Burma because it
helps fund the regime and gives it legitimacy. Forced and child labour was
used to develop many tourist facilities.
SRI ASIA TOURISM SERVICE
Sri Asia Tourism service is a Burmese travel company offering holidays to
Burma through offices in the UK and Australia. Aung San Suu Kyi has asked
tourists not to visit Burma because it helps fund the regime and gives it
legitimacy. Forced and child labour was used to develop many tourist
facilities.
STEPPES TRAVEL/STEPPES EAST
Steppes East is a UK travel company offering holidays to Burma. Tours cost
more than £2,000 and last up to 20 days. They continue to operate tours to
the country despite Nicholas A G Laing of Steppes East admitting to the
Burma Campaign UK that: "Myanmar is a highly controversial subject which I
have yet to fathom." Aung San Suu Kyi has asked tourists not to visit Burma
because it helps fund the regime and gives it legitimacy. Forced and child
labour was used to develop many tourist facilities.
SUMITOMO CORPORATION
Sumitomo Corporation is a Japanese conglomerate with extensive financial
interests in the UK. Sumitomo are in a joint venture with Myanmar General
and Maintenance Industries (MGMI) producing steel. MGMI are owned and
controlled by the military regime.
SUZUKI
Suzuki's main business is the manufacture of cars and motorbikes. In 1998
Suzuki invested $6.9 million to set up a joint venture with Myanmar
Automobile & Diesel Engine Industries (MADI). MADI is controlled by the
military regime. Suzuki owns 60% of the business, MADI 30% with the
remaining 10% split between two Burmese companies with close government
links. The factory has around 40 Burmese employees.
TENNYSON TRAVEL
Tennyson Travel is a UK travel company that trades under the name Visit
Vietnam. As well as tours to Vietnam it also operates tours to Burma which
it advertises in national newspapers. Aung San Suu Kyi has asked tourists
not to visit Burma because it helps fund the regime and gives it
legitimacy. Forced and child labour was used to develop many tourist
facilities.
TERI WALTER
Teri Walter is a furniture design company based in Cornwall, UK. It
sources timber from Burma for its furniture. Timber exports are an
important source of income for Burma's dictatorship.
TAIGA CONSULTANTS LTD
Taiga Consultant Ltd are a Canadian geological consulting firm. Taiga has
an office in Burma and works closely with the regime exploring for base
and precious metals.
TIMBMET
Timbmet is a UK timber company which sources teak from Burma. Timber
exports are an important source of income for the regime.
TOTAL
Total is a French oil company which is in a joint venture with the
military regime developing an offshore gas field in the Andaman sea. The
gas is exported to Thailand through a pipeline that travels 65 kilometres
through Burma. Total is one of the biggest foreign investors in Burma.
TRAILBLAZER GUIDES
Trailblazer Guides publish a guide to South East Asia that includes a
section on Burma. This section facilitates tourism to the country. Aung
San Suu Kyi has asked tourists not to visit Burma because it helps fund
the regime and gives it legitimacy. Forced and child labour was used to
develop many tourist facilities.
TRANS INDUS LTD
Trans Indus is a British holiday company that operates tours to Burma.
Aung San Suu Kyi has asked tourists not to visit Burma because it helps
fund the regime and gives it legitimacy. Forced and child labour was used
to develop many tourist facilities.
TRAVEL WORLD MEDIA LTD
Travel World Media is a Gloucester based company that own
ElephantGuide.com, a website which publishes guides to Burma promoting
holidays to the country. Aung San Suu Kyi has asked tourists not to visit
Burma because it helps fund the regime and gives it legitimacy. Forced and
child labour was used to develop many tourist facilities.
UNOCAL
US oil firm Unocal is one of the joint venture partners developing the
Yadana offshore gas field in Burma, which is expected to earn the military
regime millions of dollars.
UTOPIA TOURS
Utopia Tours is a travel company based in Thailand which specialises in
holidays for gays and lesbians. It advertises tours to Burma in Gay and
Lesbian media in the UK. Aung San Suu Kyi has asked tourists not to visit
Burma because it helps fund the regime and gives it legitimacy. Forced and
child labour was used to develop many tourist facilities.
WILLIS GROUP HOLDINGS
Willis Group Holdings is a global insurance broker. The Federation of
Trade Unions - Burma reports that through its Singapore office Willis
provide insurance cover for companies investing in Burma.
WORLDWIDE JOURNEYS & EXPEDITIONS
Worldwide Journeys is a UK tour operator offering tours to Burma.
Describing Burma as "an extraordinary country", no mention is made of the
military dictatorship. Aung San Suu Kyi has asked tourists not to visit
Burma because it helps fund the regime and gives it legitimacy. Forced and
child labour was used to develop many tourist facilities.
WPP/CORDIANT COMMUNICATIONS
WPP is one of the largest advertising companies in the world. WPP owns
Cordiant Communications, which in turn owns the global advertising company
Bates Group, which has a subsidiary in Burma. Bates Myanmar has handled
advertising contracts for many foreign investors in Burma, including joint
ventures with the regime such as BAT's subsidiary, Rothmans of Pall Mall
Myanmar.
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