The Chin State Investment and Product Fair was held at the Myanmar Convention Center in Yangon on 16th and 17th March 2019. The event was organized with the aim of boosting the Chin State economy – focusing on promoting trade and investment, and creating linkages between local businesses and potential local and foreign investors. Core components of the two-day event included seminars, business matching, and a products exhibition. The event was organized by the Myanmar Investment Commission (MIC), Ministry of Investment and Foreign Economic Relations, the Chin State Government, and Directorate of Investment and Company Administration (DICA) – with the support of the Chin State Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CSCCI), DaNa Facility and VDB Loi Co., Ltd. The Chin State Investment and Product Fair was attended by over 800 people. This includes notable government representatives such as H.E. U Myint Swe, Vice President the Republic of the Union of Myanmar, H.E. U ThaungTun, Chairman of MIC and Union Minister for Investment and Foreign Economic Relations, H.E. Dr. Than Myint, Union Minister for Commerce, H.E. U Ohn Maung, Union Minister for Hotels and Tourism , H.E. U Htun Htun Oo, Union Attorney General for the Attorney General’s Office, H.E. U Salai Lian Luai, Chief Minister of Chin State, Chief Ministers and Ministers of respective states and regions, and other government officials. In addition, the Ambassadors and Diplomats from foreign embassies in Myanmar, representatives from international organizations, foreign investors, local investors, business-related associations and local businessmen, and media representatives were also in attendance. Firstly, H.E. U Myint Swe, H.E. U Thaung Tun, and H.E. U Salai Lian Luai, formally opened the Chin State Investment and Product Fair after the Chin traditional dances on the morning of 16 March. Then, the Vice-President delivered the Opening Speech “Chin State enjoys a unique position as it opens up for social and economic development. The diverse environment of Chin State offers a range of investment opportunities from small businesses to large investment projects - traditional weaving, agribusiness, community - based tourism, hydro power and infrastructure”. Following this, the Vice-President and distinguished guests toured the exhibition booths of investment opportunities and products of Chin State. After that, H.E. U Thaung Tun, and Dr. Gail Marzetti, Head of the UK Department for International Development (DFID) Myanmar, delivered further opening remarks respectively. Then, H.E. U Salai Lian Luai gave a presentation on ‘The Investment Opportunities in Chin State’, H.E U Mang Hen Dal, Regional Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Forestry and Mines gave a presentation on ‘The Reaping the opportunities in Agriculture and Livestock Sector in Chin State’, and representatives from relevant ministries and private sector presented investment opportunities in Chin State relating to infrastructure development, doing business, hotels and tourism, hydropower, SMEs and agro-processing respectively. In addition, the panel discussion titled “Why Chin State? Exploring a Hidden Gem” by U Aung Naing Oo, Director General of DICA, H.E Mr.Saurabh Kumar, Ambassador of Embassy of India, U Aung Soe, Permanent Secretary of Ministry of Commerce, and the panelists are conversed as per agenda. In the afternoon, a Business Matching Session was also held at the same venue. Around 200 foreign investors, local investors from other states and regions and local businessmen from Chin State participated and discussed future cooperation. The event continued on 17 March, with the products fair and exhibition being well-attended.
