
Top gem industry figures attended a meeting hosted by the junta-controlled Myanmar Gems Enterprise last week to discuss securing new technology and foreign investment for the sector, a leaked invitation letter shows.
Around 20 presidents, vice presidents and secretaries of gem and jewelry associations called in via Zoom from Yangon, Mandalay, Sagaing, and Kachin for the June 30 meeting, which was held in Naypyitaw.
Their attendance was organised by Aung Kyaw Win, vice president of the Myanmar Gems and Jewellery Entrepreneurs Association and the husband of junta-appointed cabinet member Thet Thet Khine. He also hosted the meeting.
Gems are Myanmar’s second biggest export after oil and gas, making them a vital source of income for the junta as the movement to remove it from power seeks ways to cut off its sources of funding.
The US and the UK sanctioned Myanmar Gems Enterprise in April and May. Much of the demand for Myanmar’s jade, rubies and other gems, though, comes from China, and a large amount of gems trading is done on the black market.
The agenda for last week’s meeting said the association leaders would discuss the availability of ore, technology and funding, flows of foreign investment, taxes and online sales.
Myanmar’s underground National Unity Government said last week that any business projects, including in gems mining, approved by the military council were “null and void” and that those involved in such projects would “be held criminally liable.”
It also warned entrepreneurs against doing business with the junta-controlled natural resources ministry, saying they would be “blacklisted” and could face other legal measures.
One gemstone entrepreneur, who opposes the junta and asked not to be named, said the attendees at the meeting could help the coup regime gain access to more funds by giving expert advice on how to develop the sector, in exchange for permits and licenses.
As such, the entrepreneur said, they should be “socially punished.”
“All they had to do was refuse to attend the meeting at a time when everyone was taking part in the Civil Disobedience Movement, and yet there they were,” said the entrepreneur.
Aung Kyaw Win is the owner of the Shwe Nan Daw chain of jewellery shops, which has been boycotted by anti-coup protesters, as well as a branch of Victorious Gems in Singapore.
His wife, Thet Thet Khine, was able to obtain a position of power in the junta’s cabinet after the People’s Pioneer Party that she leads was badly defeated in the 2020 general election.
Four members of the Yangon Gems and Jewellery Entrepreneurs Association attended last week’s meeting. They included its vice president Myint Thet Naing – who is the director of the Naing Family (Mogok) Gems and Jewellery Company – and its second vice president Aung Kyaw Zin, who is the director of SP Gems.
The association’s second secretary, Mra Thidar, and its treasurer Nyunt Nyunt Khaing were also present. They jointly own the Special Jewellery – Mra & Khaing company.
Mra Thidar is the daughter of the ex-director general of the department of mining, Soe Mra, who served under former junta leader Than Shwe.
The gems entrepreneur who opposes the coup said the duo were considered knowledgeable about bringing gems to international markets “They know everything when it comes to the gems business, from transport to sales. That’s why Aung Kyaw Win invited them to the workshop. There is absolutely no reason to support [the military] this way.”
Gem industry sources told Myanmar Now that exporters were considering plans to falsify the origins of their stones and sell them out of Thailand in order to avoid sanctions.
After being cancelled in 2020 because of the pandemic, a gems emporium was held in Naypyitaw the month after the February 1 coup, though items were sold at heavy discounts.