NATIONAL: Womenswear retailer Specialty Fashion Group has cut its production ties with Burma.
A report commissioned by humanitarian agency Burma Campaign Australia revealed that eight Australian companies, including Specialty Fashion Group, were funding Burma's military dictatorship through trading ties with the country.
In a statement released through the agency, Specialty Fashion Group company secretary Howard Herman confirmed the company will stop sourcing products from Burma.
"We made a group decision to cease trading with Burma due to the continued repression of the Burmese people and the ongoing presence of military rule."
Specialty Fashion Group owns and operates major chains such as Katies, Millers and Crossroads.
Other Australian firms listed as having business interests in Burma include Andaman Teak Supplies Pty Ltd, Chevron, Geckos Adventure, Jetstar Asia, Lonely Planet and Sri Asia Tourism.
In a previous report, Burma Campaign Australia calculated the Burmese regime could earn $2.76 billion through royalties, income tax and an equity stake in a joint venture project with one Australian company alone, Twinza Oil. The report claimed this is enought to fund a quarter of Burma's army for a decade.