Myanmar's pro-democracy leader, Aung San Suu Kyi said she hopes foreign investment initiates job creation during her address to the World Economic Forum for East Asia on Friday (June 01).
Economic sanctions and gross mismanagement by military juntas have squeezed Myanmar's economy, but the recent suspension of many of the U.S. and European embargoes once backed by Suu Kyi is expected to bring a deluge of investment in the resource-rich and strategically located country.
Suu Kyi was clear what she wanted any investment to achieve.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) MYANMAR'S NATIONAL LEAGUE FOR DEMOCRACY LEADER AUNG SAN SUU KYI SAYING:
"We have to try and eradicate corruption and inequality as we proceed towards greater investment. We do not want more investment to mean more, more possibilities for corruption. We do not want investment to mean greater inequality. We do not want investment to mean greater privileges for the already privileged. We want investment to mean, quite simply, jobs. As many jobs as possible. It's as simple as that."
Thailand is the first country Suu Kyi, the daughter of Myanmar's independence hero, Aung San, has seen since she left her home in Britain in 1988 temporarily - she thought - to return to Myanmar and take care of her dying mother.
Next month, Suu Kyi is due to visit Switzerland, Norway and Britain. She will address an international labour conference in Geneva on June 14 and give a speech to Britain's parliament.
