Burma's economic relations with the United Kingdom

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Title: Burma Campaign UK Welcomes UK Sanctions on Timber, Pearls and SAC
Description: "Burma Campaign UK today welcomed new sanctions imposed by the British government on the Burmese military and its economic interests. The British government has sanctioned two state-owned entities which now provide revenue for the military since the coup. They are Myanmar Timber Enterprise (MTE) and Myanmar Pearl Enterprise (MPE). They have also sanctioned the State Administration Council (SAC), the military appointed body attempting to run government institutions. “This latest round of sanctions by the British government is very welcome and another step towards cutting the economic lifeline of the military,” said Anna Roberts, Executive Director of Burma Campaign UK. “The British government is following the right approach by continuing to identify and sanction more revenue sources for the military. There is still a lot more that can and must be done, identifying every possible economic pressure point, and working with the EU and USA to help cut oil and gas revenue.” The British government is taking welcome steps sanctioning the economic interests of the military, and lobbying for more countries to impose arms embargoes. However, there has been no significant progress in British government support for justice and accountability, with Dominic Raab still refusing to support referring Burma to the International Criminal Court, and still refusing to join the Rohingya genocide case at the International Court of Justice..."
Source/publisher: "Burma Campaign UK" (London)
Date of publication: 2021-06-21
Date of entry/update: 2021-06-22
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Title: Foreign Secretary announces further sanctions on companies linked to Myanmar’s military regime
Sub-title: Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab announced new sanctions against the Myanmar Timber Enterprise, Myanmar Pearl Enterprise and the State Administration Council.
Description: "measures announced will restrict the military junta’s ability to profit from timber and pearl, key sources of revenue for the regime UK will maintain suspension on trade promotion in Myanmar and strengthen advice to British businesses following review of Myanmar trade In the UK’s sixth tranche of Myanmar sanctions, measures announced today will target the Myanmar regime’s economic interest with new designations against the State Administration Council (SAC), the junta’s ruling body, who continue to undermine democracy and brutally suppress Myanmar’s civilians. These sanctions send a clear message to the junta the UK will not allow financial support that props up the military regime following the coup earlier this year. Additional measures will now be imposed on the Myanmar Timber Enterprise and Myanmar Pearl Enterprise, 2 state owned entities in Myanmar’s extractive sector. These asset freezes will be enforced with immediate effect, and target the junta’s ability to profit from pearl and timber, 2 high-value natural commodities that generate millions in revenue for the military regime. Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said: Alongside our allies, we are placing sanctions on companies linked to Myanmar’s military junta, targeting the finances of this illegitimate regime. The military has continued its subversion of democracy and brutal killing of civilians. We will continue to hold the Junta to account and sanction those responsible, until democracy is restored. Today the Foreign Secretary has also announced the conclusion of the UK’s Myanmar Trade Review. In a Written Ministerial Statement in Parliament, he confirmed that the UK will maintain its suspension on trade promotion in Myanmar first imposed following the coup earlier this year. The UK will also strengthen our Overseas Business Risk guidance to reiterate the message that UK businesses must undertake enhanced supply chain due diligence and should not enter into trading relationships that benefit the Myanmar military. The Myanmar Trade Review emphasised that UK businesses continue to have an important role to play in Myanmar in job creation and poverty alleviation, but should operate responsibly in order to avoid inadvertently supporting the military regime. Today’s new sanctions announcement, alongside the similar announcement from the European Union on Myanmar Timber Enterprise,  follows the recent G7 communiqué which called on partners and business to exercise due diligence in their trade and investment in Myanmar. Under the UK’s presidency the G7 continues to call for an end to the coup and the immediate adoption of the ASEAN 5-point consensus..."
Source/publisher: Govt. UK (London)
Date of publication: 2021-06-22
Date of entry/update: 2021-06-22
Grouping: Individual Documents
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