he association was established to promote peace through sustainable economic development in the ethnic regions of Myanmar. It also comes after the UMFCCI and ethnic businessmen last month tried to establish a similar ethnic entrepreneur association.

The ethnic people of Myanmar play an important role in the development of the economy. As such, it is necessary to include the ethnic communities in the country’s business, education and healthcare initiatives.

As their living standards improve and they get more involved in the economy, Myanmar can better work towards achieving national peace, said U Zaw Aye Maung, Minister of Rakhine Ethnic Affairs in the Yangon Region Government.

The MEEA will facilitate in helping to connect ethnic businesses with market opportunities in the various States and Regions. They will also be encouraged to work with government institutions and ministries as well as other business organisations to promote tourism and improve border trade of ethnic traditional foods, clothing and handicraft, said U Aung Tun Thet.

U Aung Tun Thet holds multiple positions as chief coordinator of the Union Enterprise for Humanitarian Assistance, Resettlement and Development in Rakhine (UEHRD), consultant to the UMFCCI and chairof United Nations Global Compact Network Myanmar.

“Ethnic businesses face similar difficulties to other businesses in Myanmar such as difficulties in accessing finance, new technology and market intelligence. As such, the MEEA will function like the UMFCCI and organize information and tech sharing sessions as well as provide support to young ethnic entrepreneurs,” U Aung Tun Thet told The Myanmar Times.

“We think ethnic businesses are satisfied over the founding of MEAA because they are now recognised and supported,” he added.

U Win Myint, Intha Ethnic Affairs Minister and former government official in Inle Region, voiced support for the MEAA. “Most ethnic people have always relied on themselves to do business. With support from the government and private sector in the form of access to export and trade finance as well as technology, the ethnic businesses will have better opportunities to market their handicraft and other handmade products to tourists as well as export the goods overseas,” he said.

Source: https://www.mmtimes.com/news/government-private-sector-establish-ethnic-association.html