SMART Myanmar held a kick-off launch event on 19 January at the UMFCCI with appro

ximately 200 guests from factories, embassies and other stakeholders, according
to a press release on the 20 January.
More than 200 guests gathered at the UMFCCI on Tuesday to listen to speeches by
the Ambassador of the European Union, Mr. Roland Kobia and Director General U Wi
n Shein from the Ministry of Labour, Employment and Social Securitys Factory Insp
ections Department, as well as several of the partners of the SMART Myanmar proj
ect.
SMART Myanmar is an EU-funded SWITCH Asia project focused on making social and e
nvironmental improvements in Myanmars garment industry. From 2013-2015 the projec
t engaged with dozens of local garment factories on social & environmental compl
iance issues, providing technical support and capacity building. As well, the pr
oject assisted in boosting the capacity of business associations, helping the My
anmar Garment Manufacturers Association (MGMA) develop its staff capacity and dr
aft a first-ever Code of Conduct for its members, as well as providing professio
nal support for both the MGMA and the UMFCCI.
Following on the successful implementation of activities during the first 3 year
s, SMART Myanmar has launched a new 4-year project phase which will expand and a
ccelerate some of the previous activities such as assistance to factories on soc
ial compliance and human resources management as well as introducing entirely ne
w activities related to promoting sustainable production and transparency in pro
curement practices in Myanmar.
Garment has quickly emerged as the star sector in Myanmar s economy. The growth n
umbers of the sector are impressive, not least thanks to the trade preferences g
ranted by the EU. Exporting to Europe creates an incentive for Myanmar companies
and authorities to step up their quality and management. This is a huge opportu
nity for economic development provided that the benefits are shared among all an
d that the environment can be preserved. Mr. Roland Kobia, Ambassador of the Euro
pean Union to Myanmar said.