Country
Myanmar

Local Project Partners
WWF Germany,
Myanmar Food Processors and Exporters Association

German project partner
n.n.

Donator
EU

Duration
01.02.2018 - 31.01.2022

In recent years, Myanmar's economy has become one of the fastest growing in the world. The democratic government wanted to ensure that Myanmar's resources are used sustainably during this development. The food sector, 2/3 of which is made up of small and medium enterprises, is one of the country's largest consumers of water and energy. Investments to reduce energy and water consumption can lead not only to greener production, but also to cost savings for businesses.

One barrier to such investments is the lack of access to financing, especially for small and medium-sized enterprises.

The goal of this project is to strengthen clean food production in combination with sustainable economic development. The aim is to target 200 small and medium-sized enterprises. Our partner, WWF, is working closely with the political actors (including the Ministry of Natural Resources, Environment and Conservation, and the Ministry of Industry) and enterprises themselves to set the political course, educate the enterprises and transfer the technical know-how. Meanwhile, German Sparkassenstiftung is primarily involved in creating and improving financing opportunities for small and medium-sized enterprises through the institutional strengthening of four selected Myanmar banks.

The continuation of the project will depend on ongoing political developments and the prevailing security situation on site. Work with one of the partner banks has been suspended because it is partly owned by the military. The effects of the pandemic had already led to a strong reduction in the willingness of companies to invest. 

Project Tasks

• Raise awareness of green finance throughout Myanmar's banking sector.
• Advise and support four selected banks in the development of credit offers for SMEs (especially for the financing of environmentally friendly technologies).
• Theoretical and practical training of 60 bank employees for the granting of loans to SMEs (particularly for the financing of environmentally friendly technologies).
• Increase knowledge and skills of at least 50 SMEs to apply for loans at local banks.