Nobel Peace Laureate and social business pioneer Professor Muhammad Yunus visited Myanmar as a guest of the British Council between 19th and 22nd July 2014. Making his inaugural visit to the country, Professor Yunus’ visit is an opportunity to emphasise the important role that business can play in support of poverty alleviation in Myanmar.
Addressing a select group of leaders representing both business and civil society at the British Council in Yangon on Sunday 20th July, Professor Yunus stated that “I am very happy that I have been invited to talk about potential of social business in Myanmar. Not only the government, companies and foundations, but also individuals can launch social business and become involved in addressing a social cause that they care about."
On the second day of his visit, Professor Yunus spoke to a group of senior government officials hosted by the Ministry of National Planning and Economic Development. The Nay Pyi Taw event was an opportunity for government officials and parliamentarians to explore how to maximise the social benefits of business in Myanmar.
The British Council has been working with the Myanmar Ministry of National Planning and Economic Development to promote social enterprise, and plans to continue to build the capacity of government officials to better understand how to establish an enabling environment to maximise the social impact of business in Myanmar.
