Japanese beer conglomerate Kirin says
an investigation by Deloitte was unable to determine if the company has been
funding the Myanmar military through its joint ownership of domestic beer
companies. Critics say Kirin has been complicit in human rights abuses by
partnering with a Myanmar military-owned company.
Editorial
Japanese beer corporation Kirin has
said that an assessment of its ties with the Myanmar military was
“inconclusive” as to the company’s role in human rights abuses and military
operations.
Kirin has faced major criticisms over its joint ownership of Myanmar
alcohol companies with the military-owned Myanmar Economic Holdings Ltd.
(MEHL). Since 2015, Kirin has held 51% ownership of both Mandalay Brewery
Business & Human Rights Resource Centre
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11 January 2021
Japanese beer corporation Kirin has said that an assessment of its ties with the Myanmar military was âinconclusiveâ as to the companyâs role in human rights abuses and military operations.
[.]
In a
statement on January 7, Kirin said that an investigation commissioned by the company and carried out by Deloitte was âunable to access sufficient informationâ to determine whether profits from its partnerships with MEHL were going to the military.
[.]
âKirin are making themselves look ridiculous trying to claim they canât find out if the Burmese military uses its money for military purposes,â
The Irrawaddy Business Roundup
By Zaw Zaw Htwe 9 January 2021
Yangon – Myanmar expects to start providing COVID-19 vaccines in February and is seeking public donations to help fund the process. Amid COVID-19 restrictions, many shops, restaurants and teashops have reopened to allow their businesses to survive.
Also this week the Japanese firm Kirin announced it will continue denying profits to its partner in a joint venture with a firm linked to Myanmar’s military.
The Ministry of Investment and Foreign Economic Relations has also announced investments approved in October and November.
The Central Bank of Myanmar this week issued remittance licenses to two companies in Myanmar and a small enterprise said it will start exporting roselle tea to the US.
Japan-based Kirin Holdings Company, Ltd. should publish its investigation report on the military-owned Myanmar Economic Holdings Ltd. (MEHL) and swiftly cut ties with the company, Human Rights Watch said today.