On 24 June 2022, MCRB, Shwe Minn Tha Foundation (Myanmar) and the Myanmar Independent Living Initiative (MILI), co-hosted the third online panel discussion on the topic “Realistic and Decent Work Opportunities for Person with Disability (PwD) led/involved MSMEs”.

U Myint Naing Kyaw, Disability Expert from MCRB, introduced attendees including describing the background of registrants. The discussion was attended by nearly 70 participants, mainly-PwD led/ involved MSMEs as well as from microfinance institutions, INGOs and businesses from Ayeyarwaddy, Yangon, Bago, Mandalay Regions, Kayin, Shan (North, South), Kachin, Chin, Mon States. To facilitate discussions, sign language interpretation and closed captioning were provided.

Daw Htet Htet Aung, Project Coordinator for MILI explained the objective of the third PwD led/involved MSMEs discussion which was to:

• encourage and find solutions together

• exchange experiences, and

• to act as a medium to make smart progress on shared challenges facing the disablity community.

Three speakers presented on the topic, moderated by U Myat Thu Winn, Founder of Shwe Minn Tha Foundation (Myanmar).

U Aung Ko Ko, General Secretary of Tharbaug branch office (MILI), owner of a welding business, former athlete representing Myanmar at international para games, and person with physical disability shared how he overcame challenges including lack of confidence from clients towards his craftsmanship due to his disability. He also outlined his future plans to promote the capacity of PwDs in the community by providing computer training courses. For future forum meetings, he suggested more support should be provided to enable persons with visual and speech/hearing impairment to join the discussions.

Daw Ni Mya Si @ Jenny Lao, who is an ILO-Licensed Global Master Trainer for MSME Development Trainings, CEO of SIYB Myanmar Association and Coca-Cola’s Senior Master Trainer and Program Coordinator stated that everyone has their own potential skills and encouraged everyone to try to find out what they are and use these skills to make their business successful. She emphasized the importance of investing in business skills development. These skills together with determination, courage, and knowledge will help achieve one’s business goal.

U Aung Thike Win, a member of Hmawbi Persons with Disability Association, owner of New Style barber shops and a person with physical disability, shared how the AAR Japan (Myanmar) training changed his perception on PwDs and helped him embrace his profession as a hair stylist. He now owns three shops and is training and recruiting other PwDs.

He promotes disability awareness amongst his clients by sharing reading materials that promote disability inclusion and has plans for other initiatives to build PwD capacity in his community. He hopes that the PwD led/involved MSMEs discussions will raise awareness and encourage more PwDs to start their own business.

During Q&A, a participant from Mandalay shared that he owns a motorbike repair shop and has a plan to open a vocational training centre in Mandalay for PwD. He is now learning the skills required to be an effective teacher.

A second participant from Myitkyina asked where business owners had got their initial startup finance and finance to expand the business. Speaker, U Aung Thike Win replied that having a concrete idea is important. The next step is then to find the solution. He also shared that he later benefited from the VisionFund Myanmar’s loans which helped him expand his business.

Speaker, U Aung Ko Ko replied that he started off his business using the money he had saved up and opening the shop at his house. His practical method of marketing was to use his iron work in his house and displayed them for the people to see.

Daw Ni Mya Si @ Jenny Lao explained about the 7Ps to expand business:

1. Product
2. Price
3. Place
4. Promoting business (online/word of mouth)
5. Process (preparing operation to give customer satisfaction)
6. Profile
7. People

She said that practicing these 7Ps will help expand the business and create market opportunities.

Another participant from Mandalay shared that her organization will be promoting food business trainings for women in Mandalay incluidng women with disabilites and that she wil share the knowledge from today’s discussion. She also asked how to keep the women motivated and make their business sustainable.

U Aung Ko Ko explained the there are three fundamental needs; providing the technique and knowhow, then provide investment to start up the business and help create access to market.

U Aung Thike Win added that, he encourages his PwD employees to run their own business after two years with him, and also lets them handle the finances. This is to motivate them and make them realize that it is possible for them to become financially independent by opening their own shops.

Lastly, a participant from an INGO providing vocational skills training expressed her appreciation and informed that she will be sharing the discussion content with her management.

The PwD led/involved MSMEs discussions are held bi-monthly with the next meeting scheduled for 26 of August. We welcome other PwD led/involved MSMEs as well as interested businesses, businesses associations, microfinance institutions, banks and civil society organizations to join.

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