NAYPYIDAW, Myanmar: 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.  

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. The Rt Hon Clare Short is Chair of the EITI Board. Jonas Moberg is the Head of the EITI International Secretariat. His bio is available here.   

SOURCE EITI