The World MSME Day 2026 ceremony was held at the Myanmar International Convention Centre (MICC-1) in Nay Pyi Taw on 27 June, attended by President U Min Aung Hlaing, senior government officials, parliamentary leaders, ministers, regional chief ministers, business representatives and MSME entrepreneurs.

In his opening address, the President described micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) as the backbone of Myanmar’s economy, highlighting their role in creating jobs, strengthening local economies and contributing to national development. He noted that MSMEs account for around 90 per cent of businesses in Myanmar and provide approximately 70 per cent of employment.

The President stressed that developing the MSME sector is a national priority and said the government had established the Ministry of Industry and MSME Development to accelerate the sector’s growth. He urged businesses to focus on value-added manufacturing based on domestic agricultural and livestock products to reduce imports, expand exports and strengthen the country’s agro-based industries.

He also called for closer cooperation between the government and private sector to address key challenges facing MSMEs, including limited access to finance, outdated technology, weak supply chains, skills shortages and market access. He emphasised improving access to electricity, energy, raw materials and investment while encouraging the wider use of digital payment systems, e-commerce platforms and modern technologies.

The President further encouraged the adoption of the “One Region, One Product” (OROP) approach to develop products based on each region’s natural resources and competitive advantages. He also urged stronger links between MSMEs and large industries to build domestic supply chains and reduce reliance on imported industrial components and packaging materials.

Reaffirming the government’s commitment to supporting the sector, the President said MSMEs have the potential to create more employment, raise household incomes and build a stronger, more self-reliant economy. He called on entrepreneurs, government agencies and financial institutions to work together to improve the competitiveness of Myanmar’s MSMEs in both domestic and international markets.