Htoo Foundation

Htoo Foundation is a foundation in Myanmar (Burma) founded by Burmese business tycoon Tay Za.

HTOO Foundation
Founded2008
FounderTay Za
FocusEducation, Healthcare, Culture
Location
Area served
Myanmar
MethodDonations and Grants
Key people
Tay Za, founder and chairperson
EndowmentK 9.5 billion as of 2014
Websitewww.htoofoundation.org

History

Htoo Foundation is founded on 5 May 2008 after cyclone Nargis, the tropical cyclone that caused the worst natural disaster in Myanmar. The stated objectives of the foundation are "enhancing the living standards of national races living in remote areas, preservation of culture, tradition and dialect of national races living in remote area, to offer emergency relief assistance in areas affected by natural hazard within Myanmar, Preservation and reforestation of natural forests of Myanmar and preservation and protection of exotic wildfire species in their natural habitat."[1]

Financials

Founding background source coming from the Htoo Group of Companies. The main key strongly supporter for Htoo Foundation is Air Bagan, Asia Green Development Bank, Aureum Palace Hotels & Resorts, Myanmar Treasure Hotels & Resorts.[2][3][4] The foundation chairperson Tay Za began his career in the 1980s and started Htoo Group in the early 1990s to extract timber from Burma's forests.[5]

Activities

Htoo Foundation is participating in humanitarian work such as providing help in the promotion of for major sectors to develop for future of Myanmar. The four sectors are Education, Culture, Health care and Regional development in remote areas of the country.

Health Sector

Htoo Foundation has built a hospital, a dispensary and provided medical assistance and to villages across Putao, Kachin State. Htoo Foundation also provided medical equipments to Bogalay Hospital in Ayeyarwady Region.

Education

Htoo Foundation established vocational schools in remote areas at Kachin State and Chin State,[6] donated schools and accessories in Mon State, Chin State and Ayeyarwady Region. The foundation started scholarship program in Political Science, Law and Arbitration subjects at abroad.[7] Another scholarship programme is to attend the Pilot training courses by Myanmar Aviation Academy.[8]

Peace Process

Foundation was also assisted in peace process by donating rice bags, tube wells, and cash to IDP camps of Kachin State.[9]

Preservation and Protection

Htoo Foundation provide with financial assistance and skilled technicians for curbing environmental damage and reforestation in Mandalay Region, Kachin State and Shan State.[10][11][12] The foundation established a butterfly museum and petrified wood museum.[13][14]

Controversy

The foundation's parent Htoo Group of Companies has been involved in massive timber extraction projects and continuously seeking extensive logging contracts from Myanmar government. According to The Irrawaddy, in Kachin State alone, Tay Za has been granted a 100,000-acre (40,000 hectare) logging concession by the government that would allow him to cut down vast swathes of valuable, pristine teak forest.[15] In 2006–2007, Htoo Trading, a division of Htoo Holdings involved in teak log exports, was Burma's top private exporter and fifth largest overall, with gross revenues of $65.1 million.[16]

In 2014, the Foundation won the 2014 National Best Social Welfare Team award though its parent company pays substantially low taxes.[17]

References
  1. "(Foundation of Htoo Group of Companies)". Htoo Foundation. Retrieved 20 August 2014.
  2. "Myanmar Treasure Resorts". Myanmar Treasure Resorts. Retrieved 20 August 2014.
  3. "Air Bagan's Corporate Social Responsibilities". Air Bagan. Retrieved 24 August 2014.
  4. "AGD Bank's Donation". AGD Bank. Archived from the original on 23 August 2014. Retrieved 24 August 2014.
  5. "How sanctions made Burma's richest man". Financial Times. 12 August 2011. Retrieved 12 August 2011.
  6. Thomson Reuters Foundation. "Myanmar tycoon Tay Za greets students from a school supported by his Htoo Foundation in Putao". Trust.org. Retrieved 20 August 2014. {{cite web}}: |author= has generic name (help)
  7. "Htoo Foundation's Scholarship". Htoo Foundation. Retrieved 24 August 2014.
  8. "Pilot Programme". Myanmar Times. Retrieved 24 August 2014.
  9. Htoo Foundation. "Htoo Foundation is fulfilling the requirements of the Peace Process at Kachin State". Htoofoundation.org. Retrieved 28 August 2014.
  10. "Orange Garden". Htoo Foundation. Retrieved 8 September 2014.
  11. "Orchid Cultivation". Htoo Foundation. Retrieved 8 September 2014.
  12. "Putao Research Farm". Htoo Foundation. Retrieved 8 September 2014.
  13. "International Butterfly Museum". Htoo Foundation. Retrieved 8 September 2014.
  14. "Petrified Wood Museum". Htoo Foundation. Retrieved 8 September 2014.
  15. "Kachin Rebels Clash With Burma Army and Govt-backed Militia". The Irrawaddy. Retrieved 15 January 2015.
  16. Ye Lwin and Kyaw Thu (4–10 June 2007). "Govt dominates foreign trade as gas sales pump up exports". The Myanmar Times. Archived from the original on 9 February 2012.
  17. "Tycoons call for an end to tax evasion at award ceremony". Mmtimes.com. 12 May 2014. Retrieved 20 August 2014.
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