Arakan company wins award in national-level MSME contest

By Admin 11 May 2023

DMG Newsroom
11 May 2023, Sittwe

An Arakan State-based company has won national-level awards for its products in a competition in which micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) contested.

Hein Shwe Yaung Co won the outstanding MSME Product Award at the Union of Myanmar Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry (UMFCCI) MSME Fair 2023. The company participated in the competition representing Arakan State, with five kinds of medicines and 10 nipa palm-based products.

“There are criteria for the award. The product must facilitate environmental conservation. It must also meet certain requirements set by the Industry Ministry. My products meet all the requirements, and I have therefore won the award,” said Daw Hay Mar San, the owner of Hein Shwe Yaung Co.

Among the products that won the award are analgesic balm, inhaler and spray made from amber, and wine, cocktail, jam, and tea made from nipa palm.

A total of 120 MSMEs from various parts of the country competed in the UMFCCI MSME Fair 2023, held in Yangon from May 7-8.

Hein Shwe Yaung Co also won first prize in a small-scale industries manufacturing and packaging machine contest held in Naypyidaw from March 17-19 with its nipa palm-based products.

Hein Shwe Yaung’s winning of first prizes in two consecutive competitions shows that products from Arakan State have secured a place in the food manufacturing industry in Myanmar, said the chairman of the MSME Association Rakhine, U Nyi Toe Min.

“This shows that products from Arakan State have reached a certain level. Our association is also helping local MSMEs to be able to participate in similar exhibitions,” he said.

Daw Hay Mar San urged fellow manufacturers in Arakan State to produce quality products for people, and compete in national-level contests.

“Other manufacturers can also win a prize. They only need to ensure the safety of their products. They only need to try to distribute safe products to people by doing continuous lab tests on their products,” she said.

The MSME Association Rakhine provides technical assistance and holds discussions monthly to help local manufacturers produce quality products.

 Access to financial capital, technology and raw materials are the major challenges for local MSMEs in Arakan State, according to business owners.