This week marks the launch of an important market institution – the Myanmar Institute of Directors (MIoD), the first independent, private sector-led organization promoting best corporate governance standards and practices in the country. This is a significant step in Myanmar’s ongoing market reforms and sends a strong signal to the global business community the country’s commitment to good governance and responsible business.

Myanmar regulators, the Securities and Exchange Commission of Myanmar (SECM), the Yangon Stock Exchange (YSX), and the Directorate of Investment and Company Administration (DICA) are to benchmark the corporate governance practices of Myanmar companies against international standards to help them improve performance.

The Netherlands Development Finance Company and the International Finance Corporation have launched an online course on Related Party Transactions (RPTs) governance for Vietnamese commercial banks. The e-course aims to help promote the application of international best practices in RPTs among commercial banks in Vietnam to improve their access to capital.

President U Htin Kyaw signed the Myanmar Companies Act at the Pyidaungsu Hluttaw Wednesday, approving the most anticipated piece of legislation in the country this year. The entire Act encompasses a wide range of regulations which will affect local and international investors, including share transactions, dividends, reduction of initial capital and shareholder authorities.

The author writes about the business case for more women on South Asian corporate boards, and the clear need to build a critical mass of male and female champions who can move this agenda forward for the region’s long-term economic health.

The newly established Pacific Corporate Governance Institute seeks to actively promote good governance practices in Fiji’s business sector as well as throughout the region.