Businesses in Myanmar can improve their labor productivity by up to 14 percent if they addressed bullying and sexual harassment reveals a report released today by IFC – International Finance Corporation, a member of the World Bank Group, and UK funded the DaNa Facility. The report, Respectful Workplaces: Exploring the Costs of Bullying and Sexual Harassment to Businesses in Myanmar, contains the findings of a study which was conducted to determine the prevalence and cost of bullying and harassment in the agribusiness, finance, retail and tourism sectors.The full report can be download from http://www.danafacility.com/…/IFC_RespectfulWorkplaces_ENG_…

With the aim of raising awareness of gender equality and celebrate International Women’s Day, the IFC – International Finance Corporation, the Securities and Exchange Commission of Myanmar, and the Yangon Stock Exchange – YSX, participated in the “Ring the Bell for Gender Equality” event alongside 70 stock exchanges worldwide.
The event gathered business leaders, investors, civil society members, and other key partners to highlight the business case for gender equality. Ma Cherry Trivedi, CEO of the Myanmar Institute of Directors (MIoD) and one of the panelists, advised women to embrace their careers and stop feeling guilty for not subscribing to society’s expectations of women’s roles. “What I need to do as a woman is to look at what I want from life. I would not let my environment make that choice for me,” she said.” (Credit- The Myanmar Times, 11th March, 2019)

Thirty business professionals, academics and regulators today graduated from Myanmar’s inaugural Directors Certification Program, becoming the country’s first batch of directors to be certified locally.

The three-day intensive program was developed by the Myanmar Institute of Directors (MIoD) together with IFC, a sister organization of the World Bank, in partnership with the Singapore Management University Executive Development, renowned for its excellence in delivering executive programs. The Director’s Certification Program was organized with the support from the Directorate of Company Administration and the governments of Australia and the United Kingdom.

The program was set within the Asian businesses context and provided a well-rounded board-level view of key strategic areas and issues facing many companies in Myanmar.

“The Directors Certification Program will help Myanmar directors become better aware of their responsibilities and ultimately improve the performance of boards and overall corporate governance in the country. This will help attract more foreign direct investment into Myanmar,” said Ma Cherry Trivedi, the CEO of MIoD.

“The Singapore Management University is proud to be the academic partner in Myanmar’s first Directors Certification Program,” said Dr Flocy Joseph, Head Strategic Partnerships, SMU-ExD. “The curriculum that we taught here specifically addresses the needs of Myanmar boards.”

Sandra Min, Managing Partner, Burgundy Hills Company Limited, a participant at the course said, “I have learnt so many things during these three days. I am more aware of what I can do in my capacity as a company director, especially under the new Myanmar Companies Law. I feel confident that with certified directors on boards, Myanmar companies are set to grow and reach new heights.”

The Directors Certification Program will be offered on a regular basis across major Myanmar cities alongside Yangon.

MIoD was set up in March 2018 to promote corporate governance standards and best practices in Myanmar. It was formed with support from IFC, a sister organization of the World Bank, and the governments of Australia and the United Kingdom.

About MIoD

The Myanmar Institute of Directors (MIoD) provides the Myanmar market with thought leadership in corporate governance as well as professional corporate governance and director education. MIoD aims to advance board professionalism, promote business ethics and transparency, create networks between corporate leaders and stakeholders, and boost investor confidence in Myanmar’s private sector. www.myanmariod.com
Like MIoD on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MyanmarIoD/
For further information, contact: MIoD on info@myanmariod.com

Businesswoman Ma Cherry Trivedi has been appointed the interim Chief Executive Officer of the Myanmar Institute of Directors, MIoD. She brings to MIoD many years of entrepreneurial experience in Myanmar and the United States.

MIoD was set up in March this year to promote corporate governance standards and best practices in Myanmar. Corporate governance helps companies improve performance, increase access to financing and strengthen long-term sustainability.

Located in Yangon, MIoD is governed by a board of directors comprising both public and private sector representatives. “I am pleased to welcome Ma Cherry to MIoD. Her expertise will help steer MIoD to greater heights, attract more members and sponsors and deliver world class training that will enhance the performance of boards in Myanmar businesses,” said U Aung Zaw Naing, the Chairman of MIoD.

Ma Cherry who joined MIoD today, is looking forward to her assignment.

“Myanmar professionals are fortunate to have access to networking opportunities and knowledge offered by MIoD. In my new role, I hope to support Myanmar professionals take necessary steps in their careers to become professional board directors. This will ultimately help Myanmar businesses strengthen their corporate governance structures and better mitigate risks, safeguard against mis-management and maximize shareholder value,” she said.

Myanmar board directors, senior company executives, legal, accounting and finance professionals, regulators and other market stakeholders can join MIoD and enjoy the benefits of being part of a professional network, access world class board training at affordable prices and
become reputed corporate leaders.

MIoD was formed with support from the International Finance Corporation, IFC, a sister organization of the World Bank and a member of the World Bank Group, and the governments of Australia and United Kingdom.

About MIoD

The Myanmar Institute of Directors (MIoD) provides the Myanmar market with thought leadership in corporate governance as well as professional corporate governance and director education. MIoD aims to advance board professionalism, promote business ethics and
transparency, create networks between corporate leaders and stakeholders, and boost investor confidence in Myanmar’s private sector. www.myhanmariod.com
Like MIoD on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MyanmarIoD/
For further information, contact: MIoD on info@myanmariod.com

Ma Cherry Trivedi is an active corporate advisor to a number of companies in Myanmar ranging from family owned entities to start-up ventures. In Myanmar she has led debt placements, asset restructures and coordinated opportunities with international multi-laterals and financial institutions, across multiple sectors. A seasoned consultant and serial entrepreneur, Ma Cherry started her career in the telecommunications sector with AT&T and Lucent Technologies in the United States before venturing into entrepreneurial endeavors into the Infrastructure, Agriculture and Consumer Goods sectors in Myanmar. She moved to Singapore in 2008 in anticipation of the opening of markets in Myanmar.
Ma Cherry Holds an MBA and a BA from the Illinois Institute of Technology in Chicago, Illinois and is fluent in English, Burmese and Hindi. Myanmar born and a US citizen, Ma Cherry spends her time between Myanmar and Singapore where she resides with her husband and two children.

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.