9 July 2019
10157
2019-07-09 14:37
On Tuesday morning, Myanmar team comprised of 32 members left Yangon for upcoming Biofach South East Asia - International Organic Trade Fair and Conference to be held in Bangkok from 11th to 14th of July.
For development of Myanmar’s biotrade export market, Myanmar team made up of members from Myanmar Tea Planters, Producers and Exporters Association and Myanmar Thanakha Planters, Producers and Exporters Association, representatives from Helvetas Myanmar and entrepreneurs from businesses of Myanmar tea, Thanakha and Jujube is fully prepared to exhibit products of Myanmar at the South East Asian level trade fair.
Representative, Salay Shae Saung Co., Ltd. (Shan & Kayah States), Nan K Ngin said “At the upcoming trade fair, "Say Ma Kyee" or medicated tamarind which is good for our health will be exhibited. We want to analyse our own product’s weaknesses, strengths and requirements by exhibiting. Our products will be exported to global market once they are in the safe side.”
It’s learnt that countries from Europe are mostly interested in Myanmar products and certain certifications such as SOPs, organic certificate, Fair for Life certificate and many more are needed for export.
Project Manager, Bio Trade Project, Helvetas Myanmar, Zaw Min Oo said “Some of our local products are unfamiliar for foreign countries like raw tea leaf. We need to tell a story why we love these products. Once their trust pours in, we can share our culture and products to them. Two associations are also participating as they are the only ones who can provide sustainable growth of local products and trainings for local companies.”
Myanmar’s first export of tea products will be to Germany in September of this year and Ginger will be exported to France for the first time in 2020. Many more tea and Thanakha companies are also in talks with France for export.
Director, Power Maw Shan Co., Ltd., Lin Pyae Htun said “We will exhibit dried tea leaf and ginger at the trade fair. The exhibition is to penetrate global export market with Myanmar tea, promote Myanmar’s tea culture and produce Myanmar tea with international standards. Countries such as China, Thailand, Europe and America have potentials for tea export due to their demand.”
Regarding the export market of Thanakha, the president of Myanmar Thanakha Planters, Producers and Exporters Association stressed that exclusion of real Thanakha in various types of Thanakha products in the market such as lotion, cream and soap is challenging actual Thanakha exporters.
President, Thanakha Planters, Producers & Exporters Association, Kyaw Moe said “Myanmar consumers are tricked with their love for Thanakha. We can know by asking for the evidence of the producers’ source or extraction of Thanakha powder and paste. There is no record of officially buying Myanmar’s Thanakha from the Ministry of Commerce or Myanmar Thanakha companies until now. Myanmar is the only source for Thanakha.”
Myanmar’s participation in the trade fair seeks for achievement of internationally recognized sustainable standards and Fair for Life recognized certificates for Myanmar’s Biotrade products so that export earnings, job and income opportunities of the country can be raised with more exposure to global export market.