On 4 March 2014, in Yangon, the OECD organised an event on Promoting Responsible Investment in Myanmar. The morning session discussed the findings of the Investment Policy Review of Myanmar that was launched by OECD in Nay Pyi Taw on 1 March. On the government side, regulatory and legal frameworks are improving, although more needs to be done both in adopting the relevant principles and standards but especially in implementing them on the ground. More information about the government role in protecting rights and promoting responsible business conduct (RBC) can be found in the Investment Policy Review. It also provides reform suggestions in numerous policy areas, including RBC and sustainable investment in agriculture. You can read more about the process leading up to the review and more information from the OECD here: http://www.oecd.org/daf/inv/investment-policy/investment-policy-reform-in-myanmar.htm And you can download the OECD Investment Policy Review here: Myanmar Investment Policy Review FINAL FEB 2014
The afternoon session was a workshop on promoting responsible investment in Myanmar and the implementation of the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises. The participants discussed global trends in responsible business conduct, why responsible business practices are essential for Myanmar’s continued development, and recent RBC-specific initiatives in Myanmar. There were presentations/comments from Coca-Cola, Myanmar Centre for Responsible Business, ILO, Total and Myanmar Investment Commission.
See OECD bakground paper here: Background RBC Note_Myanmar
Dr. Roel Nieuwenkamp, Chair of the OECD Working Party on Responsible Business Conduct gave an overview of the OECD Guidelines and then three OECD National Contact Points (Italy, UK and Norway) explained how they work with awareness raising and handling of specific instances (complaints). See the presentation from NCP Norway here: Myanmar 4 March_Norway NCP
The OECD had a similar event on 1 March in Nay Pyi Taw where over 70 representatives from different ministries, members of Parliament and other officials participated. The Norwegian Contact Point made a presentation there together with the OECD Secretariat and the National Contact Points of the UK ad Italy. See more here: http://www.oecd.org/daf/inv/mne/2014-conference-promoting-responsible-investment-myanmar.htm