Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Work Committee (MSMEDWC) was held the committee meeting in Nay Pyi Taw to effectively support on MSME’s manufacturing, services and trade works

The Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Work Committee (MSMEDWC) Chairman Vice President U Myint Swe addressed the committee’s meeting 1/2019 held at the Ministry of Industry in Nay Pyi Taw yesterday afternoon.
In addressing the meeting the Vice President said the day’s meeting was the fourth meeting of MSMEDWC. To effectively support MSME’s manufacturing, services and trade works a 24-member Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Central Committee (MSMEDCC) was formed on 7 June 2016 with 11 duties and responsibilities. In order to effectively implement and conduct its duties and responsibilities MSMEDCC formed MSME Development Work Review, Coordination and Implementation Group, MSME Development Agency and MSME Development Fund Management Group. Furthermore regional agencies were formed in Nay Pyi Taw Council, States and Regions and four self-administered division and zones of Wa, Naga, Danu and PaO while two more in the remaining self-administered zones of Palaung and Kokang would soon be formed.
In the three MSMEDWC meetings held 27 decisions were made out of which 15 were implemented while 12 were still being implemented. Those under implementation decision were to be completed as soon as possible by setting up a time frame for completion.
99 percent of businesses in Myanmar were MSMEs and the country’s economy would develop only when MSMEs develop. Therefore MSMEDWC was required to place emphasis towards implementing the four aims described in the MSME Development Law. The four aims were MSMEs to easily acquire economy related information, technical and financial support; increase MSMEs accessibility to local and foreign markets and increase the competitive capability; increase job opportunities and raise their incomes through MSME development; and reduce work difficulties and obstacles for MSME to conduct their works. The Union Government, Nay Pyi Taw Council, State/Region governments and private sectors were to cooperate and successfully implement these aims.
It was known to everyone that under the leadership of MSMEDWC, MSMEs product exhibition and competitions have been held in states and regions starting from 2018 February and have been held in Mandalay, Magway, Pathein, Taunggyi, Monywa, Bago, Yangon, Mawlamyine and Myeik while a union level MSMEs products exhibition and competition was successfully held in Nay Pyi Taw from 22 to 24 March.
In the nine region and state MSMEs product exhibition and competitions, a total of 112 prizes, 39 for micro businesses, 43 for small businesses and 40 for medium businesses were presented. In Nay Pyi Taw union level MSMEs products exhibition and competition a total 14 were presented with 3 first prizes, 5 second prizes and 6 third prizes. Furthermore Ministry of Planning and Finance MSMEs bank loan acquiring work committee also presented MSME loan certificates while all prize winners were permitted to use MSME Product Logo on their produces while necessary policy and instructions would be issued.
In addition to this information and education works must be carried out so that MSMEs understand Good Agricultural Practices (GAP), Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and Good Hygiene Practice (GHP) and conduct necessary preparation for it in their works while regional governments and relevant ministerial departments were to cooperate toward evaluating MSMEs with potentials and issue certificates.
Workshops on region wise Action Plans to support MSMEs were being conducted in cooperation with partner organizations and out of the 15 regions that include Nay Pyi Taw Council, States and Regions, there remain 7 states and regions where the workshops remain to be held. Implementation of the Action Plans and to conduct the workshops in the remaining 7 states and regions would be conducted in cooperation between Union government, state/region governments and NGOs.
Drawing up bills and enacting laws required for MSMEs were being conducted and on January 2019 Industrial Design Law and Trademark Law were enacted while Patent Law was enacted in March 2019. The Literature and Arts Copyright Bill was debated in Pyidaungsu Hluttaw and will be enacted into a law soon.
Policy indicators on setting up and implementing SME development policies for ASEAN region were being jointly indicated by ASEAN Coordinating Committee on Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise (ACCMSME) and Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) once every four years and assessments and reviews were seen to be conducted according to the 8 points SME Police Index in 2018.
All need to work together and strive toward raising the country’s SME Policy Index Score, said the Vice President.
Relevant ministries, government organizations and public sector were urged to cooperate and assist MSMEs to produce innovative and quality products, expand local and foreign markets, raise technology and economic knowledge, cooperate with local and foreign organizations related to MSME, produce more import substitution products, obtain required loans, consistently obtain changing technologies, strategies, news and information and raise human resources.
Aims set for MSMEs development which forms the main backbone of the country’s economy, duties and responsibilities assigned were to be implemented.
In addition to implementing aims set for MSMEs development which forms the main backbone of the country’s economy, duties and responsibilities assigned, emphasis must be placed toward ensuring that the regional work arrangements were in line with set policies and work processes. Meeting attendees were requested to openly report the status of sector-wise work done, future work arrangements as well as providing necessary suggestions, said the Vice President. In the meeting first MSMEDWC Vice Chairman Union Minister for Industry U Khin Maung Cho explained about the committee’s work and committee secretary Ministry of Industry Permanent Secretary U Ko Ko Lwin explained about the implementation of decisions made at the three work committee meetings.
MSMEs Development Agency Chairman Deputy Minister for Commerce U Aung Htoo explained about works conducted by the agency, implementation of state/region wise Action Plans, status of holding workshops, meetings held with development partner organizations, status of obtaining technology and market and future plans.
MSME Development Work Review, Coordination and Implementation Group chairman U Khin Maung Kyaw explained about the group’s works and future work processes to be conducted based on SME Policy Index.
MSME Development Fund Management Group secretary Budget Department Director General Daw Thida Tun explained about the group’s works and loans issued to MSMEs.
MSMEDWC members consisting of Nay Pyi Taw Council chairman, state/region Chief Ministers explained about Nay Pyi Taw Council and state/region wise opportunities for MSME development, status of works implemented, future works, difficulties faced and suggestions.
Central Bank of Myanmar Deputy Governor U Soe Thein, UMFCCI Presdient U Zaw Min Win, Small and Medium Industry Development Bank CEO Dr. Zeya Nyunt, MSME Development Agency member U Kyaw Wunna, MSME Development Fund Management Group member U Ye Min Oo and officials also joined in the discussions.
Vice President U Myint Swe gave comments and suggestions to ensure proper coordination and gave his concluding remarks.
The following senior officials attended the above meeting:
The committee’s Vice Chairman Union Minister for Industry U Khin Maung Cho; work committee members Nay Pyi Taw Council Chairman Dr. Myo Aung, state/region Chief Ministers, Deputy Ministers, Central Bank of Myanmar Deputy Governor; chairmen and secretaries of MSME Development Work Review, Coordination and Implementation Group, MSME Development Agency and MSME Development Fund Management Group; Union of Myanmar Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry President; experts; heads of departments and officials.

(Global New Light of Myanmar: http://www.globalnewlightofmyanmar.com/vice-president-u-myint-swe-addresses-msmedwc-meeting-1-2019/ )

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