“Enabling Digital Transformation for Myanmar SMEs during COVID-19”

Location: Myanmar

Date: January 15, 2021

Participants: 420 (Zoom), 1.6k (Facebook Live views as of January 18)

Partner: Ministry of Planning, Finance, and Industry of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar, the Union of Myanmar Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry

Overview: More than 400 owners and executives of Myanmar Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) participated in the webinar session titled, “Enabling Digital Transformation for Myanmar SMEs during COVID-19.” Hosted and moderated by Jack Myint, Manager –Cambodia, Defense & Security, Infrastructure, Myanmar, Public Relations, the US-ASEAN Business Council (the Council). The webinar was officially opened by Ambassador Michael Michalak, Senior Vice President and Regional Managing Director of the Council, Dr. Min Ye Paing Hein, Deputy  Minister of  Ministry of  Planning,  Finance,  and  Industry of the  Republic of the  Union of Myanmar (MOPFI),  U  Zaw  Min  Win, President of  The  Union  of  Myanmar  Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry (UMFCCI). In the first session, Director General Daw Aye Aye Win of MOPFI presented about the Myanmar Government’s policy to prepare Myanmar SMEs to face the COVID-19. It was followed by a presentation from Permanent Secretary U Minn Minn of the Ministry of Commerce about the digitalization plan for SMEs to enable digital trade and e-commerce for Myanmar SMEs. In the second session, Deputy Director-General Daw Khaing Shwe War of Central Bank explained Myanmar’s national payment system strategy to support SMEs. The second speaker, Deputy Director U Yan Naung Soe of the Ministry of Transport and Communication discussed the cybersecurity issues for SMEs when going online. Lastly, Mastercard Country Manager Thailand and Myanmar, Aileen Chew, explained the importance of the digital economy and sharing the benefits of digital payments to help SMEs during COVID-19.