CDC Group, the UK’s development finance institution and impact investor for Africa and South Asia, has today announced the appointment of Myo Zin as its new Country Representative for Myanmar. Based in Yangon, Myo will work closely with teams in the London and India office, and will play an instrumental role in expanding CDC’s footprint across Myanmar. CDC has also appointed Thura Ko Ko, as a local advisor to CDC.
Myo will focus on broadening CDC’s capital investments in Myanmar and support active in-country portfolio management. He will help strengthen CDC’s partnership with local businesses and will facilitate the organisation’s commitment to increasing investment flows to the country and advancing the development of Myanmar’s private sector. CDC’s continued goal is to create long-term partnerships in Myanmar. Providing flexible and counter-cyclical financing will help to enable sustainable business growth, develop a responsible private sector ecosystem, bolster job creation and improve the lives of millions of people in the country. Myo will report directly to Managing Director and CDC Head of Asia, Srini Nagarajan.
Myo comes to CDC with over eight years’ experience in the financial services sector. He brings to the institution his experience as Country Representative and investment lead for Myanmar at Luminate and Omidyar Network, during which he oversaw building the investment pipeline and portfolio of high impact for-profit and non-profit organizations, led on deal execution, and provided portfolio support. Additionally, Myo developed and reviewed in-country strategy, specifically in relation to Myanmar’s shifting political and economic landscape. Prior to his role at Luminate, Myo was a manager at PwC Myanmar, working on deals and consulting projects across major sectors including the Financial Services, Telecom and Agriculture, and he was also Senior Manager at Kanbawza Bank. Myo holds an MSc in Finance from the University of Bradford and a degree in Economics from the University of Hull.
CDC has also appointed Thura Ko Ko, as advisor to CDC. Thura is Founding Partner of YGA Capital, a Myanmar advisory company. Prior to this he has held multiple senior roles in global investment banking and private equity firms covering Asia out of Hong Kong. Thura will support Myo and other CDC teams in expanding CDC’s network, investing capital and promoting the development of the private sector in Myanmar.
Srini Nagarajan, Head of Asia at CDC, said:
“We are pleased to welcome Myo as our new Country Representative in Myanmar. His appointment demonstrates CDC’s continued priority to boost employability and increase investments in Myanmar’s private sector. Myo’s experience and knowledge of the country’s economic and financial landscape will be vital in solidifying our partnership with businesses and will help us to mobilise much needed growth capital to support sustained development and enhance economic opportunities for the people of Myanmar. We also mark the introduction of Thura Ko Ko as advisor to CDC. We are delighted to have a meaningful presence in Myanmar with which to create real development impact.”
Myo Zin, Country representative for Myanmar, said:
“I am excited to be working alongside my CDC colleagues across Asia and the London Office. By joining CDC’s Asia team, I aim to support the management of CDC’s portfolio in Myanmar and draw on my expertise to lead our investment origination efforts. As Country Representation, I look forward to helping to amplify CDC’s presence in Myanmar and strengthening our relationships with multiple stakeholders across the region.”
Rurik Marsden Development Director, Foreign Commonwealth Development Office, said:
“CDC plays an important role investing to drive business growth that creates jobs, raises incomes and ultimately reduces poverty. Myo Zin’s appointment underlines CDC and the UK’s continued commitment to the Myanmar people and our desire to make responsible and sustainable investments in the economy that help the poorest and most vulnerable. I look forward to working with Myo to ensure that CDC and the UK act as a force for good in Myanmar.”
ENDS
Media Contact:
Clare Murray – M. +44 (0) 7887 993 356
About CDC:
CDC Group is the world’s first impact investor with over 70 years of experience of successfully supporting the sustainable, long-term growth of businesses in Africa and South Asia.
CDC is a UK champion of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals – the global blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for us all.
The company has investments in over 1,200 businesses in emerging economies with total net assets of £5.8bn and a portfolio of £4.3bn. This year CDC will invest over $1.5bn in companies in Africa and Asia with a focus on fighting climate change, empowering women and creating new jobs and opportunities for millions of people.
CDC is funded by the UK government and all proceeds from its investments are reinvested to improve the lives of millions of people in Africa and South Asia.
CDC’s expertise makes it the perfect partner for private investors looking to devote capital to making a measurable environmental and social impact in countries most in need of investment.
CDC provides flexible capital in all its forms, including equity, debt, mezzanine and guarantees, to meet businesses’ needs. It can invest across all sectors, but prioritises those that help further development, such as infrastructure, financial institutions, manufacturing, and constructions. Find out more at www.cdcgroup.com.
