Tesco chairman Sir Richard Broadbent has flown out to Burma meet with opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi.

Broadbent is in the country to broker a deal for the grocer.

Suu Kyi has previously said she would welcome “ethical, responsible investment” from British businesses when she visited the UK following her release from house arrest.

Broadbent has travelled with group commercial director Kevin Grace and hopes to initially set up contracts with new suppliers.

The Daily Mail hinted that stores might eventually follow.

Broadbent said: “We have a big store network in Thailand and Malaysia which are close neighbours to Burma so it would make sense.”

But a Tesco spokesman said it would not open stores in the country. He added: “They will be visiting Burma to develop sourcing relationships.”