India to help small and medium enterprises develop in Rakhine

Aye Myat Khaing, Narinjara News, 15 March 2022

India is going to help in developing small, light and medium business sectors in Rakhine State, said U Nyi Toe Min, Rakhine MSME association chairman, adding that India can support the networking of technology and enterprises.

“We should collaborate with India for new technology as much as we can. Our MSME members have shown interest in planning various issues with the young people, so that we can get maximum benefits,” he stated.

Arakan (Rakhine) and India have enjoyed good relations since the days of great Arakanese king of Minbargree. Now the Indian government has initiated Kaladan multimodal project connecting Sittwe port with the north-eastern part of India through river and roads. Rakhine in particular and Myanmar in general can take advantage of the almost completed ambitious project.

U Nyi Toe Min argued that the Arakanese people should take the advantage of India’s goodwill on the other side of the border.

The association for Rakhine small, light and medium business enterprise was temporarily formed on 6 January 2022 with an aim to increase national and international trades in the region.

Earlier on 14 March 2004, the  MSME was formed officially and an executive committee meeting was held on Tuesday (1- 4 pm) at Arian Hall. The executive committee has 79 members representing 17 townships.

The small and light business enterprises cover almost 90 percent of Arakanese trades. Various societies are now being formed to address the working conditions of people.

"We can try to export our products to India and Bangladesh markets. Moreover, we must be a trusted brand for sustainability,” he said.

In forthcoming May, a trade fair is being planned in Arakan with the tag ‘Made in Rakhine’ where over 70 products and services like various dried items, wine and soap products, etc will be showcased.