National Export Strategy (NES) of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar 2015-2019.

This National Export Strategy (NES) of Myanmar 2015-2019 aims to stimulate the country’s trade and export sector, creating jobs and contributing to the overall socio-economic development of the country. The strategic objectives of the NES are: 1. To foster sustainable and equitable export-led growth and value addition for the socio-economic development of the people of Myanmar; 2. To ensure a consistent, predictable and transparent trade policy and regulatory framework; 3. To develop competitive, diversified and branded exports by expanding productive capacities and fostering innovation; 4. To build modern, enabled and supportive institutions to respond to the diverse needs of current and emerging exporters; 5. To build up physical infrastructures.
Seven priority sectors are selected for export development: 1. Rice; 2. Beans, pulses and oilseeds; 3. Fisheries; 4. Textiles and garments; 5. Forestry products; 6. Rubber; 7. Tourism. These sectors are considered to hold the most potential to contribute to Myanmar’s economic and social development. In the rice sector, the NES is focused on increasing production capacities through better seeds and technologies, reducing post-harvest losses, improving branding as well as diversifying export products and markets. Myanmar’s pulses, beans and oilseeds sector is important because of its contribution to job creation, gross domestic product (GDP) and export generation. The NES aims to increase this sector’s productivity through enhancing the quality of seeds, advancing farming techniques, improving logistics and trade infrastructure, as well as improving branding and marketing techniques to boost the export. The fisheries sector has a significant impact on socioeconomic welfare and domestic food security. Through the introduction of modern stock management techniques, modernization of production methods, compliance with food safety and SPS measures, as well as building up supporting infrastructures, the fisheries sector strategy aims to contribute to sustainable sector growth. The aim of the rubber sector strategy is to create an attractive climate for investors. The main issue faced by Myanmar’s forestry sector in the international market is its inability to comply with international standards and certifications. By ensuring sustainable and community based forest management, streamlining administrative rules, assuring reliable supplies, improving production skills and promoting investment, the NES strives to increase the international market share of Myanmar forestry products, while at the same time ensuring the sector’s sustainability. The tourism sector strategy aims to build a better understanding of the target markets and clients requirements, diversify the tourism offer, improve the skills of the sector operators and well as to enhance the overall service level for visitors.
Myanmar’s private sector is generally constrained by limited financial intermediation, policy fragmentation and weak trade support infrastructure. The cross-sector strategies of the NES focus on improving the overall business environment for Myanmar enterprises. These strategies include: 1. Access to finance; 2. Quality management; 3. Trade facilitation and logistics; 4.Trade information and promotion.
The NES seeks to improve the quality and supply of water utilities. The activities proposed include: Develop quality water supply system by upgrading or replacing the current water supply system; Undertake a feasibility study with accompanying recommendation on financing options for implementing an advanced water sanitation system to the industry area including, drilling tube wells, extending piping system from main water supply, treatment systems, and waste water management; etc.