From AFP News:
Coca-Cola announced Thursday that it would return to Myanmar (Burma) after a
gap of more than six decades, leaving Cuba and North Korea as the only
countries without the iconic American fizzy drink.
The Coca-Cola Co. becomes the latest beneficiary of reforms in the
long isolated Southeast Asian nation. The company announced plans after
the United States said it would ease restrictions on investment.
The Atlanta-based company said it would initially ship Coke
from neighboring countries to Myanmar but, in line with general
practice, would find local partners. It said it expected to make
"significant investments" in Myanmar over the next three to five years.
"The Coca-Cola Co. has always stood for optimism at times of change
and progress around the world," chairman and chief executive officer
Muhtar Kent said in a statement.
Coca-Cola said that it would abide by ethical standards, including respecting human rights and not paying bribes.
The Coca-Cola Foundation, a charity affiliated with the company, said
that it would grant $3 million to support job initiatives that empower
women in Myanmar.
Coca-Cola said that it has not done business in Myanmar, earlier
known as Burma, for more than 60 years. The military seized control of
the country in 1962.
The junta ceded power to a nominal civilian, President Thein Sein,
last year. Despite initial cynicism about him, Thein Sein has undertaken
reforms including freeing political prisoners, opening dialogue with
ethnic minorities and launching talks with democracy icon Aung San Suu
Kyi, who was elected to parliament after years under house arrest.
President Barack Obama's administration has also announced a
loosening of restrictions on financial services to Myanmar, allowing
credit cards to return.
But the United States, unlike several other countries, has not
removed restrictions on imports from Myanmar, arguing that gems, timber
and other goods provide a lucrative business for anti-reform elements in
the army.
SOYMB would like to make particular reference to the quotation "Coca-Cola said it would abide by ethical standards, inlcuding respecting human rights and not paying bribes." Surely this is not the same Coca-Cola company that has alledgedly been involved in corruption, murder and unethical business practices for decades according to THIS ARTICLE and others like it? Perhaps, but we'll let you decide.
SussexSocialist
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