On the 6th and 7th November, the BMCC organised a Trade Mission to Myanmar, the first ASEAN delegation for our members in recent history. 11 delegates made up the contingent, representing various industry interests from automation, hospitality, financial and professional services, to education, manufacturing, construction and infrastructure.
Day 1 of the mission began with a welcoming session at the British Chamber of Commerce Myanmar (BCCM) in the capital city of Yangon. Briefings on the nations’ legal structure and market entry were conducted, included networking receptions and 1-2-1 Business Matching sessions.
Day 2 covered market briefings on Retail, FMCG, Banking, Insurance, Investment and Real Estate with various representatives from the local private sector. A site visit to the Thilawa Special Economic Zone, and a group dinner concluded the trip.
The overall trade mission was well received by our travelling members, with some commending its organisation and execution, along with the valuable connections and insights made with the local industry there. “Based on discussions with fellow delegates I believe that it was a successful trip for all participants and is a model we should replicate for missions to other ASEAN countries in the future,” commented Bill Addington, Director at Tony Gee & Partners, BMCC Board Director and fellow delegate who had given the initial impetus for the Trade Delegation to Myanmar.
Daniel Tait, Director at Score Asia Sdn Bhd expressed his appreciation too with the following comments; “Excellent. Very well organised and great networking sessions. It was refreshing to go on a business trip where all the meetings were planned out ahead by the respective chambers. A stress free trip.” While Russ Emmerson, Business Development Director at Really English found the 1-2-1 meetings particularly useful, saying “I have followed up with all the organisations I was introduced to and I will be returning to Yangon and Mandalay later this month for further talks. In all cases the business prospects look very promising.”
Myanmar is a fast emerging economy and a geographically well located country with its key market opportunity sectors including Education, Financial Services, Renewable Energy, Food & Beverages, Retail, Construction Materials & Services and 5G Telecommunications. The British Chamber of Commerce Myanmar is well placed to advise on market entry to BMCC members from Malaysia and the UK.
