August 15-16, 2012 – In collaboration with the New Zealand Foreign Affairs & Trade Aid Programme and various local private and public sector organizations, the Mekong Institute (MI) recently conducted its two-day national workshop, SME Cluster Development and Export Consortia Formation, in Yangon, Myanmar. 

The workshop included participants from the Central Department of SME Development (part of the Ministry of Industry), the Republic of Union of Myanmar Federation Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RUMFCCI) and the Myanmar Womens Entrepreneurs Association (MWEA). 

The Myanmar national workshop was attended by 15 private-sector participants; business members of Myanmar Fruits, Flowers and Vegetables Producers and Exporters Association. It provided them with the knowledge and skills to help develop SME clusters and using export consortia, promote the entry into export markets. 

As a result of the workshop, participants formed three export consortia, which will be supported with technical assistance from the Central Department of SMEs (Myanmar) Development and MI.
These new export consortia will be invited to participate in MIs planned, Investor Forum2013. At the forum, the consortia will gain access to extended business networks with partners involved in regional and global markets.