Chiang Mai (Mizzima) – In a move to enable businessmen to participate in the upcoming 2010 election, the Union of Myanmar Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry (UMFCCI) has retracted previous guidelines stipulating members steer clear of party politics.

Sein Win Hlaing, secretary of the UMFCCI, during a speech yesterday at the group’s anniversary celebrations, said the union has revoked two articles from its regulations that barred members from involvement in party politics.

Sein Win Hlaing indicated that UMFCCI regulations, articles 28/H and 30/I, had stated that members shall not be involved in any party politics, and if members did involve themselves their membership would automatically be revoked.

“But, with the change in political environment today, we have decided to remove the above mentioned two articles,” Sein Win Hlaing proclaimed.

Sein Win Hlaing was speaking at the 18th anniversary of the UMFCCI, an organization of businessmen known to be close to the military government. The anniversary celebration was also attended by the junta’s Prime Minister, General Thein Sein.

Burma’s military government has announced that it will hold a general election in 2010 as part of its roadmap to democracy and has reportedly urged businessmen to participate in the election.

An official from UMFCCI, who requested not to be named, said the chairman of the group, Win Myint, is likely to contest the 2010 elections from his Tant Sae in central Burma's Sagaing Division.

The official added that the group decided to remove the two articles from the regulations as several members of the group had expressed interest in participating in next year's general election, the first in 20 years.