"Will Myanmar’s Government walk its talk on extractive industries reform? Jade trade will be key test", 2 December 2014

…While most of the discussions so far about EITI in Myanmar have centred on oil and gas, jade is the most valuable of its extractive industries. Setting up an accountable, corruption-free jade business would be the biggest possible win for the reform process. It would dramatically increase the revenues available for development in Kachin State and the country as a whole…Jade may not be the cause of the conflict between the Myanmar military and the KIO, but it is a significant contributory factor…Jade is also locked into Kachin State’s war economy.  Myanmar army commanders levy payments from jade miners and so does the KIO…Global Witness is recommending it take the following steps as a priority: Publish data about the jade sector in line with EITI requirements and recommendations…Make a public commitment to equitable sharing of Kachin State’s natural resources as part of a comprehensive peace settlement and begin addressing this issue in peace talks with the KIO…Increase protection for civil society organisations working to build accountability in the jade business…