With the ASEAN Economic Community opening up the region, representatives of 30 Thai small and medium-sized enterprises visited Myanmar from Monday to Wednesday to hunt local partners.
For a protracted time, investors called Myanmar the “last frontier” because there was a way that Myanmar was still undiscovered. It is the last major Asian economy to grow to be globally connected.
Kitsana Vachekrilas, treasurer of the Thai Chamber of Commerce (TCC) and managing director of Bua Thong Thani Management Co., said in an exclusive interview that each one the Thai participants were joyful with their business trip as they expected to seek out partners to assist them distribute their products in Myanmar.
Of the 120 corporations that applied to take part in the mission, TCC chosen those with the best potential and the very best products that might be developed in Myanmar.
Most of the chosen SMEs represented probably the most promising business lines for trade – consumer goods, construction materials, cosmetics and cosmetic accessories. They had already achieved success in Thailand and desired to expand to CLMV countries (Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam).
“Starting a business in Myanmar is not complicated. We need to work together. You have a large population and a very large market because you are so close to China, India and Bangladesh,” Kitsana said.
“That is why many countries want to do business in Myanmar, and Thai companies do not want to miss such a great opportunity.”
During the trip, the Thai chamber held negotiations with its local counterpart regarding hosting international exhibitions in Myanmar.
The first event will probably be a global food fair similar to Thaifex, which is able to feature exhibitors from South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand and other countries.
He added that due to the long border, each countries maintain excellent relations and coordination in business, which facilitates the exchange of products, knowledge sharing and business cooperation.
Maung Maung Lay, vice chairman of the Federation of Myanmar Chambers of Commerce and Industry, said there remains to be much to be done in trade with Thailand.
“Thailand is a friend in need. Whenever we’d like a friend, Thailand is there. “It can also be one among our essential trading partners. We can achieve much more if we cooperate more intensively,” he said.
Source : Eleven Myanmar
