Myanmar’s parallel government grapples with foreign investment dilemma

BANGKOK/TAIPEI — Myanmar’s National Unity Government, a parallel government set up by lawmakers elected in November’s general election, has had to adopt a more realistic approach to the way companies like Norway’s Telenor and the investment community conduct business.

“The military has been using various means to threaten and extort money,” Tu Hkawng, the NUG’s environment and natural resources minister, told Nikkei Asia in an interview from an undisclosed location. “Companies such as Telenor have no choice but to follow these instructions due to security concerns.”

The NUG previously urged businesses to refuse all payments to the junta.

“We will not push Telenor into a corner,” said Tu Hkawng, acknowledging the dilemmas companies face if they wish to support human rights.

The NUG was formed in April and includes elected politicians, activists and community leaders from across Myanmar…