04/03/2013
Burma Investment Welcomed
The UK has committed £600,000 to support responsible investment in Burma.
Minister for South East Asia, Hugo Swire spoke to Human Rights and Burma campaigners at the FCO about the progress being made in Burma.
He said: "Burma remains a central foreign policy priority for this Government, and for me personally. Over the last 18 months, we have seen significant strides towards reform - with the releases of political prisoners; credible by-elections; initial ceasefire agreements; and steps towards increasing humanitarian access to conflict areas.
"But we need to see that progress continue - one political prisoner is one too many, and ethnic discrimination must be brought to an end."
Mr Swire spoke with representatives from Burma Campaign UK (BCUK), and Christian Solidarity Worldwide, among others this morning for frank discussions about the many challenges Burma still faces.
They discussed political prisoners who are still in jail; serious armed conflict in Kachin State; the Rohingya people being denied citizenship and basic rights; and humanitarian access for UN agencies. The Minister made clear the UK view that investment, if made responsibly, can radically improve the everyday lives of the Burmese people.
Speaking separately, Minister of State for International Development Alan Duncan said: "One in four people in Burma live in poverty, and three out of four people have no access to electricity. Burma has vast potential and I want to see an increase in responsible investment, with the UK playing a leading role.
"I am pleased to announce that the UK through the Department for International Development will provide £600,000 to establish a Responsible Investment Resource Centre in Rangoon, which will help strengthen responsible business practices for Burmese companies and those investing in the country.
"This is a strong signal of our support for investment that is good for the UK as well as for the people of Burma."
(GK)
Minister for South East Asia, Hugo Swire spoke to Human Rights and Burma campaigners at the FCO about the progress being made in Burma.
He said: "Burma remains a central foreign policy priority for this Government, and for me personally. Over the last 18 months, we have seen significant strides towards reform - with the releases of political prisoners; credible by-elections; initial ceasefire agreements; and steps towards increasing humanitarian access to conflict areas.
"But we need to see that progress continue - one political prisoner is one too many, and ethnic discrimination must be brought to an end."
Mr Swire spoke with representatives from Burma Campaign UK (BCUK), and Christian Solidarity Worldwide, among others this morning for frank discussions about the many challenges Burma still faces.
They discussed political prisoners who are still in jail; serious armed conflict in Kachin State; the Rohingya people being denied citizenship and basic rights; and humanitarian access for UN agencies. The Minister made clear the UK view that investment, if made responsibly, can radically improve the everyday lives of the Burmese people.
Speaking separately, Minister of State for International Development Alan Duncan said: "One in four people in Burma live in poverty, and three out of four people have no access to electricity. Burma has vast potential and I want to see an increase in responsible investment, with the UK playing a leading role.
"I am pleased to announce that the UK through the Department for International Development will provide £600,000 to establish a Responsible Investment Resource Centre in Rangoon, which will help strengthen responsible business practices for Burmese companies and those investing in the country.
"This is a strong signal of our support for investment that is good for the UK as well as for the people of Burma."
(GK)
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03 July 2003
BAT asked to withdraw investment from Burma
The Foreign Office has upped the diplomatic pressure on Burma today by asking British American Tobacco (BAT) to withdraw their investment from the country. The move comes a week after the Prime Minister declared that trade or investment in Burma was appropriate "when the regime continues to suppress the basic human rights of its people".
BAT asked to withdraw investment from Burma
The Foreign Office has upped the diplomatic pressure on Burma today by asking British American Tobacco (BAT) to withdraw their investment from the country. The move comes a week after the Prime Minister declared that trade or investment in Burma was appropriate "when the regime continues to suppress the basic human rights of its people".
31 October 2012
UK Pledges £2m Aid To Burma
The UK is to provide £2m in aid for people hit by the outbreak of violence in Burma. The humanitarian relief will be used to help more than 58,000 victims of ethnic violence in Burma's Rakhine state. Over 100,000 people have had to leave their homes since violence began in June between the Muslim Rohingya and Buddhist Rakhine communities.
UK Pledges £2m Aid To Burma
The UK is to provide £2m in aid for people hit by the outbreak of violence in Burma. The humanitarian relief will be used to help more than 58,000 victims of ethnic violence in Burma's Rakhine state. Over 100,000 people have had to leave their homes since violence began in June between the Muslim Rohingya and Buddhist Rakhine communities.
05 June 2012
Father-To-Be Dies On Duty In Helmand
A soldier who was killed a month after arriving in Afghanistan was due to become a father. Private Gregg Thomas Stone, 20, was shot dead on Sunday in Helmand province. He was taking part in a mission to rescue police officer Abdul Walid from an insurgent checkpoint. Stone, from Hull, was expecting his first child with his wife Samantha.
Father-To-Be Dies On Duty In Helmand
A soldier who was killed a month after arriving in Afghanistan was due to become a father. Private Gregg Thomas Stone, 20, was shot dead on Sunday in Helmand province. He was taking part in a mission to rescue police officer Abdul Walid from an insurgent checkpoint. Stone, from Hull, was expecting his first child with his wife Samantha.
15 August 2005
Duke of Edinburgh leads VJ Day commemorations
The Duke of Edinburgh has joined veterans of the Second World War in the Far East theatre, at a 60th anniversary VJ Day reunion at the Imperial War Museum.
Duke of Edinburgh leads VJ Day commemorations
The Duke of Edinburgh has joined veterans of the Second World War in the Far East theatre, at a 60th anniversary VJ Day reunion at the Imperial War Museum.
23 June 2003
UK visa controls tightened
The Home Office has announced today that visa regulations have been tightened for people travelling through the UK on their way to other destinations. From midnight tonight, nationals of sixteen new countries will need visas in order to travel through the UK.
UK visa controls tightened
The Home Office has announced today that visa regulations have been tightened for people travelling through the UK on their way to other destinations. From midnight tonight, nationals of sixteen new countries will need visas in order to travel through the UK.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A sunny but frosty start for many. However cloud increases by midday with a few showers reaching the north coast, these mostly light but spreading inland this afternoon. Chilly. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A rather cloudy evening with scattered showers. Becoming drier through the night with some good clear spells developing and a patchy frost away from coasts. Minimum temperature 0 °C.