At the U.S. ambassador’s home, my colleagues and I heard a speech that to me rather unconvincingly touted U.S. sanctions against Burma. Consider the opportunity. One unexpected benefit of the stalled economic growth: Dense forests cover much of the country. Could you find a better setting for ecotourism?Some of my CEO colleagues and I believe sanctions are a policy gone bust. The Burmese love America. Little groups like ours lift the hopes of a people dreaming of the day they can rejoin the Free World.Mackay’s Moral: Unwise sanctions can undercut a forest of opportunity

– Extracted from the conclusion to Harvey Mackay, “A look at Burma’s untapped potential”, Times Union, 13 April 2008. This is a report of Mackay‘s participation in a delegation to Burma organised by the Chief Executives Organization.