Corporate Governance
Our distinguished Advisory Board and Executive Committee take the lead in ensuring the Group remains true to its values and beliefs as it serves the farmers of Myanmar.
Advisory Board
U Thadoe Hein is a founding member of international organization YPO’s Yangon Chapter, and currently leads multiple associations in Myanmar. He founded Myanma Awba in 1995 and holds a B.Sc in Science and a Master’s in Business Administration from Yangon University. He and his family own 100% of Myanma Awba Group.
With over 20 years of experience in the agricultural industry, Yeo Joo Hua has been a key effector of change in Myanma Awba, including his reformation of the sales operations. He also oversees the establishment of new agrochemical plants, supply chain activities, and new product formulations.
Rajesh Malhotra is Myanma Awba’s resident expert in corporate finance, with over 25 years of experiences in many industries. He wears multiple hats, overseeing a wide range of departments that include Financial Management, Human Resources, Investor Relations, Legal, and Corporate Governance.
Executive Committee
Martin Weiss is a veteran of the agrochemical industry with over 30 years of experience under his belt. Martin possesses a robust set of skills in agronomy, marketing and the technical aspects of the industry. He is also the director of multiple dairy farms.
Adrian Soe Myint is a Chemical Engineering graduate with specialization in data modelling and predictive analysis. He’s currently leading the initiatives to transform the agriculture landscape of Myanmar through digitization and digitalization.
Dr. Aung Swe is the Head of Corporate Affairs in Myanma Awba Group. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in General Agriculture from the Yezin Agriculture University, Myanmar, an M.Sc (Nematology) from University of Ghent, Belgium and a Ph.D. from the University of Hong Kong. He has held senior and field positions for the Myanmar government as Head of Plant Nematology Laboratory, Assistant FAO Representative for Food and Agriculture Organization, the United Nations, and the private sector, and brings 32 years of expertise in Agriculture, Project Management, and Operations. Today, he specializes in agricultural development, Corporate Affairs, and plant protection. He lives in Yangon with his wife, Daw Aye Aye Than, and a daughter.
A Korean native, Choi Jin Young has worked in business and Human Resource development for over 15 years in the USA, Singapore, Korea, and Myanmar. Jin Young now oversees business development in Myanmar’s farming community.
Matteo Marinelli’s background in microfinance, MSME, and mass market banking serves him well in his role with Maha Agriculture Microfinance. He has lived and worked for over a decade in Asia, and boasts a proven track record in debt, equity, and greenfield financial investments in emerging markets like the Middle East, North Africa and South Asia.
Cho Win Hlaing oversees Myanma Awba’s subsidiary brand, Myanma Sanpya Crop Nutrition Company. He hails from a varied background of agricultural research, agronomy, human resource management, and marketing. Cho Win Hlaing holds a Bachelor’s in agriculture.
U Soe Than manages Ayeyarwaddy Seeds Co. Ltd, a subsidiary of Myanma Awba. With 15 years’ experience in trading seeds within Myanmar under his belt, Soe Than is responsible for exploring and marketing Myanmar’s seed industry. He holds a Bachelor’s in agriculture from Yezin Agricultural University.
Than Tint manages the business supply chain for Myanma Awba’s fertilisers, bringing over 16 years of experience in fertilizer industries and agrochemical sales to bear on the Fertiliser Business Unit of Myanma Awba. Than Tint also holds a Bachelor’s in agriculture from the Institute of Agriculture.
U Thaung Htike spearheads the development of Maha Agriculture Microfinance. His experience spans a total of over 20 years in Microfinance, and FMCG sales & marketing. He holds a Master’s in Business Administration, and a second Masters in Banking and Finance.
Daw Nandar Myat Oo oversees accountancy for the group’s finances. She has over a decade of experience in the field of accountancy, including nine years in Myanma Awba. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in commerce from the Yangon Institute of Economics.
Our policies
Good corporate governance is a fundamental part to the running of Myanma Awba Group.
- Anti Bribery and Anti Corruption
The Group does not tolerate any form of bribery or corruption and has procedures in place to prevent bribery and corruption by any individual of the organisation.
- Code of Ethics
We operate with specific values and principles, and which remain constant regardless of country and culture. These values and principles are based on respect: for our work, for our profession and for the people with whom we work – our colleagues, clients, suppliers, and business partners.
- Diversity and fair employment practices
We, as a multicultural company, recognise the power, wealth, talent and energy generated by people of diverse backgrounds, education, and experience working towards a common goal.
- Sustainable Development
Through our activities, we contribute to the economic and social well-being of a whole range of other stockholders, and the local communities in which we operate. More widely we make an impact on regional, national and international development.
- Corporate Social Responsibility
We are committed to supporting charities and funds that are devoted to the prevention and cure of disease, and to the promotion of health in Myanmar.
- Environmental and Sustainability Policy
In line with International Finance Corporation’s (IFC) Performance Standards, the Group is required to safeguard the environment by incorporating environmental and social considerations into business strategy.
Milestones
2014
- Exclusive collaboration with renowned tractor manufacturer TAFE to distribute tractors and machinery to our farmers with long-term credit payment schemes.
2012
- Creation of Maha Agriculture Microfinance to provide farmers with much-needed financial support.
2010
- Establishment of Myanmar’s first compound fertiliser plant with steam granulation technology and privately-owned pesticide and fertiliser laboratory with Gas Chromatography (GS) capabilities.
2008
- Became the first company in Myanmar to produce Carbofuran and Chlorpyrifos Granules after installing our own granulation plant.
2007
- Founding of Myanmar Pesticides Industry, the first and only privately-owned pesticides formulation plant in Myanmar.
- Implementation of PET bottling in-house for pesticide packaging.
2005
- Introduction of Nitrophoska, world-renowned brand complex fertilisers from Fertiva, Germany.
- Development of Yangon Citrus farm, the first-ever commercial scale lowland citrus farm in Yangon with sophisticated water management system.
2003
- Founding of Ayeyarwaddy Seeds to import and distribute quality hybrid seeds.
2000
- Setup of new repackaging plant in Yangon Industrial Zone.
- Expansion of research team to 50 agronomists.
- Growth of distribution network with over 50 dealers nationwide.
1998
- Launch of compound fertilisers.
- Achieving landmark US$1m sales for crop protection products
- Formation of Research and Development team with 5 agronomists.
2014
- Exclusive collaboration with renowned tractor manufacturer TAFE to distribute tractors and machinery to our farmers with long-term credit payment schemes.
2012
- Creation of Maha Agriculture Microfinance to provide farmers with much-needed financial support.
2010
- Establishment of Myanmar’s first compound fertiliser plant with steam granulation technology and privately-owned pesticide and fertiliser laboratory with Gas Chromatography (GS) capabilities.
2008
- Became the first company in Myanmar to produce Carbofuran and Chlorpyrifos Granules after installing our own granulation plant.
2007
- Founding of Myanmar Pesticides Industry, the first and only privately-owned pesticides formulation plant in Myanmar.
- Implementation of PET bottling in-house for pesticide packaging.
2005
- Introduction of Nitrophoska, world-renowned brand complex fertilisers from Fertiva, Germany.
- Development of Yangon Citrus farm, the first-ever commercial scale lowland citrus farm in Yangon with sophisticated water management system.
2003
- Founding of Ayeyarwaddy Seeds to import and distribute quality hybrid seeds.
2000
- Setup of new repackaging plant in Yangon Industrial Zone.
- Expansion of research team to 50 agronomists.
- Growth of distribution network with over 50 dealers nationwide.
1998
- Launch of compound fertilisers.
- Achieving landmark US$1m sales for crop protection products
- Formation of Research and Development team with 5 agronomists.
