3 July 2017, Yangon – Responsible business is receiving greater attention in ASEAN, particularly in
countries such as Myanmar which is experiencing an influx of investments and business activities after
the political and economic transitions.

Co-organised by the ASEAN CSR Network (ACN) and the Union
of Myanmar Federation Chambers of Commerce and Industry (UMFCCI), the ASEAN CSR Fellowship
commences in Yangon, featuring best practices of responsible businesses in key industries that include
extractive mining, tourism and garment manufacturing. In particular, Fellows will be hearing from
‘returnees’ to Myanmar, of whom many are now successful entrepreneurs. Myanmar nationals, too,
who have studied or worked abroad, will also share why they have decided to return to contribute to
the country’s development. Many are advocates of responsible business practices, and discussions
will include why they believe this is crucial for Myanmar’s next phase of progress.

Highlights of the 5-day programme include discussions with the following speakers / organisations:

• Daw Khine Khine Nwe – Joint Secretary-General, UMFCCI
• Prof. Dr. Aung Tun Thet – Chairman, Global Compact Network Myanmar; Former Economic
Adviser to the President
• Mr. Martin Pun – CSR Head of YOMA Strategic Holdings Group
• U Aung Naing Oo – Director General, Directorate of Investment and Company Administration,
Secretary, Myanmar Investment Commission (MIC)
• U Kyaw Kyaw Hlaing – Chairman, SMART Group
• Mr. Melvyn Pun – CEO, First Myanmar Investment Company
• Mr. Andrew Lee – Chief Country Representative, GE Myanmar
• Coca Cola (site visit)
• Best Garment Factory (site visit)
• Myanmar Centre for Responsible Business (MCRB)
• Myanmar Responsible Tourism Institute (MRTI)

The Fellowship seeks to deepen cross-border perspectives, as well as building up the next generation
of CSR leaders for responsible businesses in Southeast Asia, ensuring that there is both a conceptual
understanding and a best practice approach to inclusivity, sustainability and equity for people and the
environment. The Fellowship is an enabling exercise in harnessing the potential of the young and bring
Fellows in both the private, public sectors and in civil society to address key regional issues in anticorruption,
human rights, environmental degradation, anti-poverty measures that both businesses,
governments and civil societies have to work on together.

The Fellowship was launched in January 2017 with a 5-day programme in Singapore, before continuing
in Jakarta for another 5 days in April 2017. After Yangon, Fellows will travel to Manila for the final
segment of the programme. The learning journey includes lectures, site visits, presentations, panel
discussions and workshops. A total of 16 ASEAN CSR Fellows were carefully selected amongst close to
70 applicants to participate in this programme. Hailing from Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia,
Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore and Vietnam, the Fellows are mid-career professionals with
backgrounds related to responsible business. They work for a range of organisations which includes
Coca-Cola Beverages Vietnam, Transparency International, KPMG Indonesia, WWF Indonesia, Ministry
of Foreign Affairs (Malaysia), Metro Bank Foundation, Norwegian People’s Aids, CapitaLand,
International Union for Conservation Nature (IUCN), International Labour Organisation (ILO) –
International Finance Corporation (IFC) Joint Programme on Better Work, and Como Hotels and
Resorts.

After the Fellowship, ACN will remain in touch as an Alumni network of CSR practitioners. This peer
learning platform will enable them to continue supporting each other, taking collective action to
transform the ASEAN landscape into one that recognises not just profits, but also people and the
planet.

For media enquiries, please contact:

Hsu Hsu Phyo
UMFCCI
Email: hsuhsuphyo@oceanbreeze.asia

Melissa Chong
ASEAN CSR Network
Email: melissa@asean-csr-network.org

About ASEAN CSR Network (ACN)

In line with the achievement of an ASEAN Community, the ASEAN CSR Network (ACN) was established
in 2011 through the ASEAN Foundation with a mandate to ensure that Corporate Social Responsibility
(CSR) was incorporated in the corporate agenda and contributes towards sustainable socio – economic
development in ASEAN Member States. As a regional organisation, ACN provides a platform for
networking and cooperation at the ASEAN level, supports capacity – building and training activities,
helps catalyse collective action on key issues, and provides a link with regional and international
bodies interested in supporting the advancement of CSR in the region. For more information, please
visit www.asean-csr-network.org
About UMCCI