A pearl farm in Myanmar, operated by a company with Canadian directors, is linked to a state-owned enterprise associated with the country’s military regime, as per records obtained by CBC News. Belpearl, the company in question, conducts its operations through various entities registered in Toronto, Hong Kong, Singapore, Japan, and Myanmar. Belpearl Myanmar, one of its entities, manages a pearl farm with two locations in Myanmar, known for its high-quality pearls, including the prized South Sea golden pearls from the Mergui Archipelago.
Amid Myanmar’s civil war, there have been widespread concerns about the sourcing of these pearls. The regime in Myanmar, also known as Burma, has faced accusations of committing severe atrocities and civilian deaths. Following the 2021 coup, several Western nations, including Canada, imposed sanctions on Myanmar to curb funding for the military junta. The RCMP was requested to investigate the Belpearl arrangement for potential violations of these sanctions.
Legal experts and representatives from various organizations have raised alarms about the situation, dubbing the pearls as “blood pearls.” Corporate records revealed that Canadians, the Hajjar family, were involved in the management of Belpearl Myanmar until recently. Despite repeated requests for comments, the Hajjars remained silent. In response to inquiries, the company stated that the Canadian shareholders had complied with Canadian sanctions laws.
Belpearl Myanmar has been operating under a production-sharing agreement with the Myanmar Pearl Enterprise (MPE), a state-owned entity linked to the military-controlled government. The agreement entails that MPE receives 25% of the pearl harvest, with Belpearl Myanmar retaining the remaining 75%. The pearls allocated to MPE are sold through state-run auctions, contributing to the regime’s revenue stream.
Efforts to hold accountable those involved in the controversial pearl trade have faced challenges. While some experts advocate for investigations and legal actions, others point out the complexities in enforcing sanctions and tracing the money flow. The case has drawn parallels to past controversies like the blood diamonds issue. The involvement of Canadian entities in such activities has raised concerns about compliance with sanctions laws and ethical business practices.
CBC’s investigation revealed potential links between the Myanmar pearls and Canadian retailers. The import records showed significant pearl imports by Belpearl Toronto from Hong Kong. A journalist attending a Belpearl auction in Hong Kong confirmed the presence of pearls originating from Myanmar, including those from Belpearl. Despite denials of shipping Myanmar pearls to Canada, hidden camera footage documented Burmese pearls being sold at a Toronto retailer, raising questions about the transparency and accountability in the pearl trade industry.
