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| founder = [[Lo Hsing Han]], Steven Law (Tun Myint Naing)
| founder = [[Lo Hsing Han]], Steven Law (Tun Myint Naing)
| defunct = <!-- {{End date|YYYY|MM|DD}} -->
| defunct = <!-- {{End date|YYYY|MM|DD}} -->
| location_city =
| location_city = [[Yangon]]
| location_country = [[Myanmar]] (Burma)
| location_country = [[Myanmar]] (Burma)
| location = [[Singapore]]
| location = [[Singapore]]
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}}
}}


'''Asia World Group''' ({{lang-my|အာရှဓန ကုမ္ပဏီ}}) is [[Myanmar]]'s largest and most diversified conglomerate, with interests in industrial development, construction, transportation, import-export, and a local supermarket chain.<ref name="mcc">{{cite news|url=http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Southeast_Asia/KH26Ae01.html|title=On the march to do business in Myanmar|last=McCartan|first=Brian|date=26 August 2009|work=Asia Times|accessdate=4 March 2012}}</ref> Ten more companies in the group are owned in Singapore, under the name of Cecilia Ng, Steven Law's wife, who operates an underground banking system to conduct business transactions on behalf of Lo Hsing Han, a convicted drug trafficker.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thirdworldtraveler.com/Global_Secrets_Lies/BurmaSingapore_Drugs.html|title=The Burma-Singapore Axis: Globalizing the Heroin Trade|last=Kean|first=Leslie|coauthors=Dennis Bernstein|date=Spring 1998|work=Covert Action Quarterly|accessdate=5 March 2012}}</ref><ref name="mcc"/> The company is associated to the [[United Wa State Army]].<ref name="rot">{{cite book|last=Rotberg|first=Robert I.|title=Burma: prospects for a democratic future|publisher=Brookings Institution Press|date=1998|pages=179, |isbn=9780815775812}}</ref> The company's founder, [[Lo Hsing Han]], is an ethnic [[Kokang|Kokang Chinese]] who controls one of Southeast Asia's largest heroin trafficking armies.<ref name="mol">{{cite book|last=Molle|first=François|coauthors=Tira Foran, Mira Käkönen|title=Contested waterscapes in the Mekong Region: hydropower, livelihoods and governance|publisher=Earthscan|date=2009|pages=126, 140 |isbn=9781844077076}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last=Glendinning|first=Chellis|title=Chiva: a village takes on the global heroin trade|publisher=New Society Publishers|date=1 February 2005|pages=174|isbn=9780865715134}}</ref> Asia World is widely believed to have committed [[money laundering]] to fund its activities and business expansions.<ref>{{cite book|last=Falco|first=Mathea|title=Burma: time for change|publisher=Council on Foreign Relations|date=2003|pages=29|isbn=9780876093337}}</ref>
'''Asia World Group''' ({{lang-my|အာရှဓန ကုမ္ပဏီ}}) is [[Myanmar]]'s largest and most diversified conglomerate, with interests in industrial development, construction, transportation, import-export, and a local supermarket chain.<ref name="mcc">{{cite news|url=http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Southeast_Asia/KH26Ae01.html|title=On the march to do business in Myanmar|last=McCartan|first=Brian|date=26 August 2009|work=Asia Times|accessdate=4 March 2012}}</ref> About half of [[Singapore]]'s investment in Myanmar (totaling $1.3 billion USD in 2000) comes from Asia World affiliates.<ref name="tyc">{{cite news|url=http://www.irrawaddy.org/print_article.php?art_id=1923|title=Burmese Tycoons Part I|date=June 2000|work=The Irrawaddy|accessdate=5 March 2012}}</ref>

==Controversies==

The company's founder, [[Lo Hsing Han]], is an ethnic [[Kokang|Kokang Chinese]] who controls one of Southeast Asia's largest heroin trafficking armies.<ref name="mol">{{cite book|last=Molle|first=François|coauthors=Tira Foran, Mira Käkönen|title=Contested waterscapes in the Mekong Region: hydropower, livelihoods and governance|publisher=Earthscan|date=2009|pages=126, 140 |isbn=9781844077076}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last=Glendinning|first=Chellis|title=Chiva: a village takes on the global heroin trade|publisher=New Society Publishers|date=1 February 2005|pages=174|isbn=9780865715134}}</ref> Ten more companies in the group are owned in Singapore, under the name of Cecilia Ng, Steven Law's wife, who operates an underground banking system to conduct business transactions on behalf of Lo Hsing Han, a convicted drug trafficker.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thirdworldtraveler.com/Global_Secrets_Lies/BurmaSingapore_Drugs.html|title=The Burma-Singapore Axis: Globalizing the Heroin Trade|last=Kean|first=Leslie|coauthors=Dennis Bernstein|date=Spring 1998|work=Covert Action Quarterly|accessdate=5 March 2012}}</ref><ref name="mcc"/> The company is associated to the [[United Wa State Army]].<ref name="rot">{{cite book|last=Rotberg|first=Robert I.|title=Burma: prospects for a democratic future|publisher=Brookings Institution Press|date=1998|pages=179, |isbn=9780815775812}}</ref> Asia World is widely believed to have committed [[money laundering]] to fund its activities and business expansions.<ref>{{cite book|last=Falco|first=Mathea|title=Burma: time for change|publisher=Council on Foreign Relations|date=2003|pages=29|isbn=9780876093337}}</ref>

Six subsidiary companies of Asia World, including Ahlone Wharves, Asia Light, Asia World Company, Asia World Industries, Asia World Port Management, and Leo Express Bus, are currently sanctioned by the British government as part of investment bans in Burma.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/d/investmentban.htm|title=CONSOLIDATED LIST OF FINANCIAL SANCTIONS TARGETS IN THE UK|date=21 December 2011|work=HM Treasury|accessdate=5 March 2012}}</ref>


==Construction==
==Construction==
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Asia World was one of two major contractors (the other being [[Htoo Group of Companies]]) to build the country's new capital at [[Naypyidaw]], including the National Landmark Garden.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.mmtimes.com/no456/n018.htm|title=Nay Pyi Taw hosts landmark garden|author=Thein Linn|date=2 February 2009|work=Myanmar Times|accessdate=5 March 2012}}</ref><ref name="mol"/> The company, with the technical assistance of Singaporean firm CPG Consultants, was also responsible for developing and constructing [[Naypyidaw Airport]], which opened on 19 December 2011.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.mmtimes.com/2011/news/607/news3160719.html|title=Nay Pyi Taw International Airport opens|author=Zaw Win Than|date=26 December 2011|work=Myanmar Times|accessdate=5 March 2012}}</ref>
Asia World was one of two major contractors (the other being [[Htoo Group of Companies]]) to build the country's new capital at [[Naypyidaw]], including the National Landmark Garden.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.mmtimes.com/no456/n018.htm|title=Nay Pyi Taw hosts landmark garden|author=Thein Linn|date=2 February 2009|work=Myanmar Times|accessdate=5 March 2012}}</ref><ref name="mol"/> The company, with the technical assistance of Singaporean firm CPG Consultants, was also responsible for developing and constructing [[Naypyidaw Airport]], which opened on 19 December 2011.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.mmtimes.com/2011/news/607/news3160719.html|title=Nay Pyi Taw International Airport opens|author=Zaw Win Than|date=26 December 2011|work=Myanmar Times|accessdate=5 March 2012}}</ref>


The company also operates toll booths on [[Burma Road]] since 1998, after it was granted a [[Build-operate-transfer]] agreement by the government, to renovate this trade route to China.<ref>{{cite book|last=Fujita|first=Kōichi|coauthors=Fumiharu Mieno, Ikuko Okamoto|title=The Economic Transition in Myanmar After 1988: Market Economy Versus State Control|publisher=NUS Press|date=2009|pages=114|isbn=9789971694616}}</ref><ref name="chu">{{cite book|last=Chua|first=Amy|title=World on fire: how exporting free market democracy breeds ethnic hatred and global instability|publisher=Random House|date=6 January 2004|pages=26, |isbn=9780385721868}}</ref>
The company also operates toll booths on [[Burma Road]] since 1998, after it was granted a [[Build-operate-transfer]] agreement by the government, to renovate this trade route to China.<ref>{{cite book|last=Fujita|first=Kōichi|coauthors=Fumiharu Mieno, Ikuko Okamoto|title=The Economic Transition in Myanmar After 1988: Market Economy Versus State Control|publisher=NUS Press|date=2009|pages=114|isbn=9789971694616}}</ref><ref name="chu">{{cite book|last=Chua|first=Amy|title=World on fire: how exporting free market democracy breeds ethnic hatred and global instability|publisher=Random House|date=6 January 2004|pages=26, |isbn=9780385721868}}</ref> The $33 million USD project connects the opium-growing regions of [[Shan State]] to [[China]].<ref name="tyc"/>


In 2000, Asia World constructed a major road connecting the port city of [[Pathein]] to the beach resort of [[Ngwesaung]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.mmtimes.com/no473/n014.htm|title=Tourism boosts Ngwe Saung growth|last=Pan Eiswe Star|date=1 June 2009|work=Myanmar Times|accessdate=5 March 2012}}</ref>
In 2000, Asia World constructed a major road connecting the port city of [[Pathein]] to the beach resort of [[Ngwesaung]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.mmtimes.com/no473/n014.htm|title=Tourism boosts Ngwe Saung growth|last=Pan Eiswe Star|date=1 June 2009|work=Myanmar Times|accessdate=5 March 2012}}</ref>

Revision as of 01:22, 5 March 2012

Asia World Group
IndustryConstruction, Infrastructure, Energy, Manufacturing, Import-Export, Retail
FoundedJune 1992 (1992-06)
FounderLo Hsing Han, Steven Law (Tun Myint Naing)
HeadquartersSingapore,
Yangon
,
Myanmar (Burma)
Key people
Lo Hsing Han, Steven Law (Tun Myint Naing), Cecilia Ng
DivisionsAsia World Company
SubsidiariesAsia World Co Ltd, Asia World Port Management, Asia World Industries Ltd and Asia Lite, Kokang Singapore Pte Ltd.

Asia World Group (Burmese: အာရှဓန ကုမ္ပဏီ) is Myanmar's largest and most diversified conglomerate, with interests in industrial development, construction, transportation, import-export, and a local supermarket chain.[1] About half of Singapore's investment in Myanmar (totaling $1.3 billion USD in 2000) comes from Asia World affiliates.[2]

Controversies

The company's founder, Lo Hsing Han, is an ethnic Kokang Chinese who controls one of Southeast Asia's largest heroin trafficking armies.[3][4] Ten more companies in the group are owned in Singapore, under the name of Cecilia Ng, Steven Law's wife, who operates an underground banking system to conduct business transactions on behalf of Lo Hsing Han, a convicted drug trafficker.[5][1] The company is associated to the United Wa State Army.[6] Asia World is widely believed to have committed money laundering to fund its activities and business expansions.[7]

Six subsidiary companies of Asia World, including Ahlone Wharves, Asia Light, Asia World Company, Asia World Industries, Asia World Port Management, and Leo Express Bus, are currently sanctioned by the British government as part of investment bans in Burma.[8]

Construction

Asia World was one of two major contractors (the other being Htoo Group of Companies) to build the country's new capital at Naypyidaw, including the National Landmark Garden.[9][3] The company, with the technical assistance of Singaporean firm CPG Consultants, was also responsible for developing and constructing Naypyidaw Airport, which opened on 19 December 2011.[10]

The company also operates toll booths on Burma Road since 1998, after it was granted a Build-operate-transfer agreement by the government, to renovate this trade route to China.[11][12] The $33 million USD project connects the opium-growing regions of Shan State to China.[2]

In 2000, Asia World constructed a major road connecting the port city of Pathein to the beach resort of Ngwesaung.[13]

In June 2007, Asia World announced that it would be building a deep sea port on Maday Island in Kyaukphyu, Rakhine State.[14]

Asia World was responsible for a major Yangon International Airport expansion project, including the construction of a new international terminal (opened May 2007)[15] and extension of existing runways (completed July 2008).[16]

Energy development

The company is also involved in the energy development sector, and has recently been involved in constructing dams on the Thanlwin River.[3] The company has also partnered with China Power Investment Corporation to build controversial dams (including the Myitsone Dam) along the Irrawaddy River in Kachin State.[17]

Other industries

In Yangon, the company has in stakes in supermarkets, office towers, condominiums and road construction. In 2011, it partnered with the Yangon City Development Committee to upgrade Strand Road.[18] The company is also involved in garment industries, beer production (Tiger Beer), paper mills, palm oil and infrastructure development.[6] Asia World has also operated a port in Yangon's Ahlone Township since 2000[19]

In 1996, Asia World's Lo Hsing Han joined a joint venture with Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts's Robert Kuok to build the Traders Hotel in Yangon, of which Asia World holds a 10% stake.[20][12]

In July 2010, the government granted Asia World control of Yangon International Airport's passenger services operations and management, including collections of departure taxes.[21][22]

In February 2011, Asia World was named an investor in the planned Special Economic Zone at Dawei, which is being developed by the Italthai Industrial Group.[23]

In August 2011, Asia World was one of four companies to be granted government licenses to import and sell fuel in the country.[24]

References

  1. ^ a b McCartan, Brian (26 August 2009). "On the march to do business in Myanmar". Asia Times. Retrieved 4 March 2012.
  2. ^ a b "Burmese Tycoons Part I". The Irrawaddy. June 2000. Retrieved 5 March 2012.
  3. ^ a b c Molle, François (2009). Contested waterscapes in the Mekong Region: hydropower, livelihoods and governance. Earthscan. pp. 126, 140. ISBN 9781844077076. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  4. ^ Glendinning, Chellis (1 February 2005). Chiva: a village takes on the global heroin trade. New Society Publishers. p. 174. ISBN 9780865715134.
  5. ^ Kean, Leslie (Spring 1998). "The Burma-Singapore Axis: Globalizing the Heroin Trade". Covert Action Quarterly. Retrieved 5 March 2012. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  6. ^ a b Rotberg, Robert I. (1998). Burma: prospects for a democratic future. Brookings Institution Press. pp. 179, . ISBN 9780815775812.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: extra punctuation (link)
  7. ^ Falco, Mathea (2003). Burma: time for change. Council on Foreign Relations. p. 29. ISBN 9780876093337.
  8. ^ "CONSOLIDATED LIST OF FINANCIAL SANCTIONS TARGETS IN THE UK". HM Treasury. 21 December 2011. Retrieved 5 March 2012.
  9. ^ Thein Linn (2 February 2009). "Nay Pyi Taw hosts landmark garden". Myanmar Times. Retrieved 5 March 2012.
  10. ^ Zaw Win Than (26 December 2011). "Nay Pyi Taw International Airport opens". Myanmar Times. Retrieved 5 March 2012.
  11. ^ Fujita, Kōichi (2009). The Economic Transition in Myanmar After 1988: Market Economy Versus State Control. NUS Press. p. 114. ISBN 9789971694616. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  12. ^ a b Chua, Amy (6 January 2004). World on fire: how exporting free market democracy breeds ethnic hatred and global instability. Random House. pp. 26, . ISBN 9780385721868.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: extra punctuation (link)
  13. ^ Pan Eiswe Star (1 June 2009). "Tourism boosts Ngwe Saung growth". Myanmar Times. Retrieved 5 March 2012.
  14. ^ "B'desh eyes deep-sea port near Myanmar". Myanmar Times. 30 July 2007. Retrieved 5 March 2012.
  15. ^ Aye Sapay Phyu (20 June 2011). "Government reveals plan to expand Yangon International Airport". Myanmar Times. Retrieved 5 March 2012.
  16. ^ Pan Eiswe Star (28 July 2008). "Yangon airport completes runway extension". Myanmar Times. Retrieved 5 March 2012.
  17. ^ "US embassy cables: how Rangoon office helped opponents of Myitsone dam". The Guardian. 30 September 2011. Retrieved 4 March 2012.
  18. ^ Kyaw Hsu Mon (21 March 2011). "Strand Rd to become main commercial artery: YCDC". Myanmar Times. Retrieved 5 March 2012.
  19. ^ "State-owned ports to be privatised as soon as possible". Myanmar Times. 2009. Retrieved 4 March 2012.
  20. ^ Anthony Davis and Bruce Hawke. "Business is Blooming". Asiaweek, January 23, 1997 Vol.24 No.3. Retrieved 2009-01-11. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  21. ^ Zaw Win Than (4 April 2011). "Yangon airport departure tax to rise from July". Myanmar Times. Retrieved 5 March 2012.
  22. ^ Zaw Win Than (11 July 2011). "Airport ups departure tax, again". Myanmar Times. Retrieved 5 March 2012.
  23. ^ Aye Thidar Kyaw (14 February 2011). "Dawei development stirs debate". Myanmar Times. Retrieved 5 March 2012.
  24. ^ Shwe Gaunh, Juliet (10 October 2011). "Privatised LPG not market rate: traders". Myanmar Times. Retrieved 5 March 2012.
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