YANGON, Nov 28 — As the US and Europe grow increasingly outraged over the Rohingya refugee crisis in Myanmar, Asian businesses are continuing to invest.

Bangkok-based construction company TTCL Pcl is one of the latest examples, targeting the first half of next year to complete a funding plan and shareholder structure for a planned US$3 billion (RM12.3 billion) coal-fired power plant in Kayin state bordering Thailand. The US and the United Nations have described Myanmar’s treatment of Rohingya Muslims as "ethnic cleansing.”

"We’re aware of the internal problems in Myanmar,” TTCL chief financial officer Gobchai Tanasugarn said in an interview in Bangkok on Nov 21. "Still, some institutions from Thailand and export credit agencies are keen to give financial support.”

The international response to a crisis that has seen more than 600,000 Rohingya flee into Bangladesh is highlighting the enduring schism between how Asia and the West perceive Myanmar.

While more US and European companies have sought to establish a presence since the generals released Aung San Suu Kyi from house arrest in 2010, Asian businesses still dominate.

China in particular has led the way, investing US$18.1 billion in Myanmar since 2010. That compares with US$3.9 billion for the European Union — 63 percent of which came from the UK — and US$133 million for the US, almost all of which has come this year after sanctions were fully lifted. China invested US$841.5 million just from April to October, according to government statistics.

China has also been more proactive than the US or Europe in seeking a resolution to the refugee crisis, with Foreign Minister Wang Yi shuttling between Myanmar and Bangladesh this month to help find a solution. They agreed last week to start repatriation of refugees within two months.

While it’s unclear if the agreement will work in practice, it shows how China is becoming more active in resolving disputes abroad, according to Francesco Mancini, visiting associate professor at the National University of Singapore’s Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy.

‘Scolding’

"There is a pattern here, wherever they have investments they get involved in diplomatic mediation, and that’s the case in Myanmar,” he said. "The West doesn’t understand how to engage in this part of the world. It’s not helpful to just go in and start scolding, particularly in Myanmar, which has been used to hearing this for decades.”

Suu Kyi, a Nobel laureate and former political prisoner, has come under attack among human-rights advocates in the US and Europe who accuse her of failing to do more to protect the Rohingya. At a press conference with Wang earlier this month, Suu Kyi said China and Myanmar are "friends with the same values.”

While the Rohingya crisis could affect development finance and investor sentiment, so far the direct economic impact seems largely localised, the International Monetary Fund said Nov 17. The IMF predicted a rebound in economic growth to 6.7 per cent in 2017-2018.

"Ethical and commercial investment in Myanmar are one and the same if you are a company with a reputation to protect whether you are Asian or otherwise,” said Steve Wilford, senior partner for Asia Pacific at specialist risk consultancy Control Risks. "The last two major reputational risk assessments we did in Myanmar were for a Malaysian and a Saudi firm.”

Whiskey, solar power

Myanmar’s growth opportunities continue to lure foreign companies. Some recent examples from Asia include: