- Title: Myanmar's Suu Kyi woos foreign investment in Singapore amid ethnic unrest
- Date: 30th November 2016
- Summary: SINGAPORE (NOVEMBER 30, 2016) (REUTERS) EXTERIOR OF SHANGRI-LA HOTEL WHERE THE BUSINESS FORUM TAKES PLACES CARS DRIVING IN AND OUT OF HOTEL VARIOUS OF MYANMAR LEADER AUNG SAN SUU KYI SPEAKING TO SINGAPORE OFFICIALS BUSINESS FORUM IN PROGRESS (SOUNDBITE) (English) MYANMAR LEADER AUNG SAN SUU KYI SAYING: "Our new investment law is intended to be business-friendly and we hope that the new procedures that will be put in place will make it much easier for you to go about your businesses in security because part of our investment law assures that your investments will be given the security that you will wish to see. You will not be deprived of your businesses unjustly, unexpectedly, directly, or indirectly." VARIOUS OF SUU KYI LISTENING (SOUNDBITE) (English) MYANMAR LEADER AUNG SAN SUU KYI SAYING: "So national reconciliation and peace is unavoidably important for us, it's not a matter of choice, it's unavoidable. We have to achieve peace and national reconciliation that our country may be able to progress and that those who wish to invest in our country may find the right amount of confidence to engage in the kind of economic transactions that will be favourable and beneficial to both nations." OFFICIALS WALKING OUT OF FORUM VENUE SUU KYI WALKING PAST WHILE REPORTERS ASK (English): "What do you think of the UN criticisms?", "Any comments on the Rohingyas?" SUU KYI WALKING TOWARDS EXIT VEHICLE CARRYING SUU KYI DRIVING AWAY
- Embargoed: 15th December 2016 09:34
- Keywords: Singapore Myanmar Aung San Suu Kyi Rohinyas ethnic unrest business investment
- Location: SINGAPORE
- City: SINGAPORE
- Country: Singapore
- Reuters ID: LVA0015AMXRNP
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text:Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi wooed foreign investment at a business forum in Singapore on Wednesday (November 30) amid criticisms about ethnic unrest in Rakhine State.
Suu Kyi, on a three-day visit to the city state, is bidding to attract more overseas businesses to create jobs and improve Myanmar's crumbling infrastructure.
New investment approvals have fallen since she took power in April this year, with some businesses and investors criticizing her for failing to prioritize the economy.
Some foreign investors had previously complained that protectionist measures left over from decades of military rule favour local firms.
"Our new investment law is intended to be business-friendly and we hope that the new procedures that will be put in place will make it much easier for you to go about your businesses in security because part of our investment law assures that your investments will be given that you will wish to see. You will not be deprived of your businesses unjustly, unexpectedly, directly, or indirectly," Suu Kyi said to a group of senior business leaders gathered for the dialogue session.
No questions were allowed from reporters at the forum, which made no mention of the growing conflict in Myanmar's northwest, sending hundreds of Rohingya Muslims fleeing across the border to Bangladesh amid allegations of abuses by security forces.
The crisis poses a serious challenge to Nobel Peace Prize winner Suu Kyi, who swept to power last year on promises of national reconciliation.
"So national reconciliation and peace is unavoidably important for us, it's not a matter of choice, it's unavoidable. We have to achieve peace and national reconciliation that our country may be able to progress and that those who wish to invest in our country may find the right amount of confidence to engage in the kind of economic transactions that will be favourable and beneficial to both nations," said Suu Kyi.
Soldiers have poured into the area along Myanmar's frontier with Bangladesh, responding to coordinated attacks on three border posts on October 9 that killed nine police officers.
Myanmar's military and the government have rejected allegations by residents and rights groups that soldiers have raped Rohingya women, burnt houses and killed civilians during the military operation in Rakhine.
The violence, the most serious bloodshed in Rakhine since hundreds were killed in communal clashes in 2012, has renewed international criticism that Suu Kyi has done too little to alleviate the plight of the Rohingya minority, who are denied citizenship and access to basic services. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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