Two weeks ago, Swedish media reports argued that some of the participants in a delegation that visited Stockholm on an invitation from NIR had links to the regime in Burma. Sida reacted upon this information, and requested that NIR make a clarification on the delegates' backgrounds and connections.
The meeting in which the Burmese delegates took part was a dialogue meeting and focused on corporate social responsibility, transparency and sustainable development. For this purpose NIR had been in contact with reform-minded individuals in business organizations. The invitees were individual representatives of Burmese industry and commerce, known for wanting to pursue economic reforms.
There has been no collaboration with the government, nor directly with the Chamber of Commerce or with persons included on the EU blacklist.
Sweden's attitude towards Burma stands firm, and Sida and its partners follows the EU Council decision of 12 April this year. Sweden supports the people of Burma mainly with humanitarian aid channelled through international and civil society organizations. Sweden has placed a focus on Burma as one of the countries where we have increased our commitment to democracy and human rights. No Swedish aid goes through the Burmese government.
