17 January 2025
A meeting to hold the Union Level MSME product exhibitions and competitions took place at the meeting hall of the Ministry of Industry in Nay Pyi Taw this afternoon, with an address by Chairman of the MSME Development Work Committee Vice Chairman of the State Administration Council Deputy Prime Minister Vice-Senior General Soe Win.
Also present at the meeting were Union Minister for Industry Dr Charlie Than, Nay Pyi Taw Council Chairman U Than Tun Oo, the Nay Pyi Taw Council member, the Vice Mayor, departmental heads and officials.
Speaking at the meeting, the Vice-Senior General said that Union Level MSME product exhibitions and competitions aims to continuously enhance products and services of MSME businesses, to use new value-added products at home and penetrate foreign markets, enhance collaborative efforts among MSME businesses in regions and states to supply needs of regions each other in the production chain and expose weak and strong points of processes, encourage relevant one region-one product businesses to have success, further create linkages between MSME businesses and internal and external investors, award Union level MSME model product prizes and enable MSME businesses to operate in the long run.
Moreover, the exhibitions and competitions must contribute to observation over weak and strong points of domestic products from Nay Pyi Taw Council Area, regions and states to improve their products. This will allow for necessary improvements and the opportunity for products to receive national-level branding. The exhibition and competition aim to ensure consumers are aware of the quality standards of products through certifications, which will lead to positive outcomes. Through the displays and presentations by relevant ministries, agencies, and business owners participating in the event, it will facilitate connections between MSME and related ministries, organizations, and businesses, creating opportunities for them to access resources, methods, practices, and other benefits provided by the ministries and affiliated organizations.
Regarding MSME products, business owners and officials should engage in discussions to understand the changes in customer behaviour, technology, information, investment, and market trends both internationally and within their own country. They should also be monitor the ongoing digital transformation, the use of online banking systems, and how to adapt to these changes. The shift from instore purchasing systems to online marketing systems should be understood, as well as regional preferences and consumption patterns. By staying informed and adaptable to market changes, they will be able to use online marketing and online payment systems more widely and effectively.
Moreover, through MSME exhibitions and competitions, new, high-quality products will emerge, and by exporting these quality products, foreign exchange earnings will be generated. Therefore, MSMEs should strive to export their products by understanding the product requirements and regulations of the importing countries. For example, to export products to China, it is necessary to obtain General Administration of Cus-toms of the People’s Republic of China (GACC) approval. Simi-larly, they should also be aware of the trade restrictions of other countries. Therefore, relevant ministries should provide information and technology to entre-preneurs in a timely manner through various channels.
This MSME exhibition and competition is organized by the working committee, and the relevant working committees and subcommittees should learn from previous experiences and coordinate with each other to prevent shortcomings, weaknesses, and difficulties. They should also pay special attention to health and safety and conduct thorough inspections.
Furthermore, Union Minister Dr Charlie Than explained the arrangements for the opening ceremony of the national-level MSME product exhibition and competition, the pavilions of ministries, regions, and states, the types of products to be displayed, the types of competitions, and the award ceremony.
Subsequently, Deputy Minister for Industry and chairman of the organizing committee U Yin Maung Nyunt explained the formation of subcommittees and the arrangements for holding the union-level MSME product exhibition and competition.
Then, the chairmen and responsible persons of the security subcommittee, invitation, venue arrangement and hospitality subcommittee, archway and pavilion construction subcommittee, pavilion placement and display subcommittee, opening ceremony, award ceremony and entertainment subcommittee, competition, selection and award ceremony subcommittee, business/economic linkage subcommittee, administrative matters subcommittee, electricity supply subcommittee, information and publicity subcommittee, and finance subcommittee explained the work being carried out by their respective committees and the arrangements to be continued.
After that, the attendees made clarifications on the necessary matters for the successful holding of the MSME product exhibition and competition, and the Vice-Senior General Soe Win made a concluding remark by coordinating and summarizing the necessary matters.
This union-level MSME product exhibition and competition will be held at the Tapaung Ground, south of Upattasandi Pagoda in Nay Pyi Taw, from February 10 to 14, with approximately 80 pavilions including ministerial pavilions, regional/state pavilions, traditional food stalls, business-to-business (B2B) linkages, technology pavilions, foreign machinery and product pavilions, and small-scale in-dustrial and cooperative product pavilions. A total of 31 types of awards will be given for various product categories.
