Burma Campaign UK today welcomed news from Visa that it has ended its promotion of the military-owned Okkala Golf Resort in Burma.
Visa in Singapore had hired golf promotions company ‘Green Golf’ for a tailored golf promotion scheme for visa card holders. Visa had chosen to partner with the military-owned Okkala Golf Resort, promoting the course to its customers. Okkala Golf Resort is a subsidiary of the military-owned Myanmar Economic Corporation.
In December 2018, Visa was placed on the ‘Dirty List’ by Burma Campaign UK because of its promotion of the military golf course.
In a letter dated 30th January 2019, responding to a letter sent by a supporter of Burma Campaign UK, Visa Singapore stated:
“Visa is committed to being a responsible leader and partner of choice for our stakeholders as we connect the world through the most innovative, reliable and secure digital payment network. Our cardholder promotion with Green Golf has expired and we have decided not to renew it.”
Burma Campaign UK has now removed Visa from the ‘Dirty List’.
“We welcome the decision by Visa not to renew its promotion of Okkala Golf Resort,” said Mark Farmaner, Director of Burma Campaign UK. “No company should be doing business of any kind with the military in Burma. Burma Campaign UK will be stepping up pressure on companies helping to fund Burma’s genocidal military.”
In January 2019 French energy giant Engie also ended its involvement in a controversial dam project in Burma after being placed on the ‘Dirty List’.
Details of Visa’s promotion of the Okkola Golf resort are available here:
https://burmacampaign.org.uk/take-action/visa/
The ‘Dirty List’ is available here:
https://burmacampaign.org.uk/take-action/dirty-list/
Media release regarding Engie ending its involvement in the Upper Yeywa Dam:
https://burmacampaign.org.uk/burma-dirty-list-engie-pull-out-of-upper-yeywa-dam-project/