Telenor CEO: Myanmar Exit Affects Investors’ Views of Asian Assets

Telenor, the Norwegian telecom giant, recently announced its decision to exit Myanmar due to the ongoing political crisis in the country. However, the company’s departure from the Southeast Asian nation wasn’t the only significant change happening in its Asian operations. In fact, Telenor’s bruising exit from Myanmar played a part in prompting the company to initiate a significant rejig of its Asia business, with a focus on restructuring and streamlining its operations in the region. This article explores the factors that led to Telenor’s Myanmar exit and how it impacted the company’s overall Asian business strategy.


The CEO of Telenor, a Norwegian telecom company, has shared that the company’s difficult exit from Myanmar after the military coup has negatively impacted investors’ perceptions of its other Asian assets. The company has spun off its assets in Bangladesh, Pakistan, Thailand, and Malaysia into a separate unit to explore strategic options, which could include a merger. Telenor’s presence in Asia has been challenging for Western telecom operators, with many being forced to leave the region. Some analysts have suggested that Telenor exit Asia and focus solely on its Nordic operations. Telenor faced a turbulent departure from Myanmar due to refusing to comply with junta demands that violated international law. The CEO states that the company never turned on any listening equipment and had clear principles for keeping its employees and customers safe. Despite these challenges, Telenor has created significant value in Asia and completed mergers in Malaysia and Thailand, making it the top player in each country. The company is exploring all options, including a sale in Pakistan, and has been in talks about merging its businesses in Denmark and Sweden with CK Hutchison.


In conclusion, Telenor’s decision to exit Myanmar was a major turning point for the company’s operations in Asia. The experience taught Telenor valuable lessons about risk management and the importance of prioritizing ethical and social responsibility. As a result, the company has restructured its operations in Asia to ensure that it can continue to provide high-quality services while minimizing risks and upholding its values. With this new approach, Telenor is well-positioned to navigate the complex and rapidly evolving Asian market, and to uphold its reputation as a responsible and reliable partner for customers, employees, and stakeholders alike.