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This post was written by Lini Davison
 
Myanmar is emerging from its self-imposed exile and taking its first steps onto the global stage. The Expat Group’s Lini Davison has the details om her involvement in the World Economic Forum Conference recently held in the Burmese capital city.

When I was approached to help organise a VIP luncheon at the World Economic Forum, I thought I might be the target of some hoax as it seemed unlikely a major company in Myanmar would be seeking help from a person in Malaysia.

However, after a search on the internet, I was able to find out more about the company, Redlink Communications, and that it was owned by two sons of one of the more prominent Generals. The individual who approached me was an American who had been hired as the company’s Chief Operating Officer. He felt that the level of expertise available in Myanmar was not up to the standard he required to ensure the event was a success, and he also needed help sourcing various materials for the luncheon.

The World Economic Forum takes place in various parts of the world, with the most famous gathering being in Davos each year and it attracts many of the world’s business and national leaders. Over 1000 registered for the Myanmar event which was a record for a WEF in Asia. Not surprisingly, the opening up of the country to foreign investors attracted many large multinationals. It also attracted various global NGOs and a few countries’ presidents. The major news media were also there in large numbers.

Redlink wanted to invite around 150 attendees of the WEF to have lunch with members of the Myanmar Parliament. Nobel Peace Prize recipient and Chairperson of the National League for Democracy in Burma, Aung San Suu Kyi, had agreed to speak at the luncheon, which was a big draw. I was tasked with doing the seating plan, arranging a backdrop, buntings, invitations,menus, and finding some attractive giveaways and adding the Redlink logo.

They also asked me to invite Tan Sri Tony Fernandes, presumably assuming that I was a friend of his, since I live in Malaysia! That was one area in which I failed to meet their expectations, as he chose to attend a competing luncheon with the President of the Philippines.

It was all very exciting. The only real problem was the WEF HQ in Switzerland insisting on being involved with every detail. That was perhaps understandable, given the large number of VIPs attending, but quite frustrating from an organiser’s view point, and not helped by the time difference and their rather slow responses to my e-mails.

My husband was somewhat less enthusiastic about my involvement. For one thing I was organising The Expat Group’s annual international school student talent contest, Expressions, and that was scheduled for the weekend after my return. I assured him I would be back the night before the actual event, if he could just help with any last minute issues relating to it and take over my shuttle service to and from the children’s school each day.

I flew to Yangon the day before the event to make the final preparations. I was carrying two very large suitcases filled with things for the luncheon and was a bit worried about customs, although they had assured me there would not be a problem. In fact, when the customs officer picked up the agenda for lunch and saw that Aung San Suu Kyi was speaking, he became very friendly.

After sorting things out in Yangon, we took the three-hour drive up to the new capital city, Naypyidaw. It is a truly beautiful country, but the level of poverty is even worse than my native Indonesia. It did not take me long to find out very few people have telephones and certainly no access to the internet. Even when you can get online, the signal is very unreliable, which made communications with my family difficult.

The WEF is a very impressive affair with so many powerful people gathered in one location. Everyone looked extremely busy and I was certainly kept fully occupied by my employers. We did attend two very splendid evening functions, one arranged by Bloomberg and the other by Standard Chartered.

The Redlink luncheon was on Friday and I had to leave promptly after Ang San Suu Kyi’s speech in order to get to the airport for the last flight to Kuala Lumpur. It was a great honour to meet Suu Kyi, and she was even kind enough to compliment my dress, which made my day.

Unfortunately, we hit very heavy rain on the way back to Yangon and I ended up missing my flight. Needless to say, my husband was even less happy than me when he got the news. Then I discovered all the Saturday flights were fully booked, so I was forced to go shopping, although virtually nowhere took credit cards. Fortunately, I found a place, called Bogyoke Aung San market, selling beautiful jewellery made from local precious gems. More importantly, they actually accepted credit cards, which was comforting, although I did not expect Visa to immediately text my husband to announce the purchase. Needless to say, he found it somewhat less comforting! I also made a visit to Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon, which is truly stunning.

Two days later, I eventually got on a flight, which arrived about an hour after our Expressions event finished on Sunday in Bangsar. I was very sad not to be present for this competition, after all the effort I put into organising it, but I am certainly glad I did not miss out on the Myanmar trip. My mouth still waters when I recall my daily breakfast, mohinga, which is a fish and noodle soup.

Redlink have asked me to help out on another event later in the year. Now I have to make amends to my husband so he does not moan and groan too much about another trip. “Chei zu tin bar te (thank you), husband.”

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Source: The Expat July 2013
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