With the aim to encourage and increase business matchmaking activities between international buyers and Burmese SMEs from the garment sector, SMART Myanmar and Pyoe Pin will work together on the creation of an e-matchmaking tool for the Myanmar Garment Manufacturers Association (MGMA). The tool will basically contain database including profiles of all garment companies and buyer-relevant information. An advanced search function will enable the buyers to get more information of potential business partners and directly contact them. The tool will be part of a comprehensive Customer Relationship Management Strategy for MGMA which aims to support the organization in developing more services for its members and other stakeholders.

The development of the database started after Pyoe Pin’s developer, Fergus Day, successfully met with all parties involved and made on the ground visits to chosen garment factories in Myanmar in mid October. Taking concerns from international buyers and garment factories into account, all parties involved will jointly collaborate in making this tool as productive as possible, thus further intensifying their activities in matching international buyers with Myanmar garment factories. Data collection will start soon and it is expected to have the database online by next year.

Pyoe Pin is a programme by DFID that aims to strengthen the potential of civil society to participate in decision making by working on selected topical issues, around which different social and economic interests are expected to gather. The specific objective of Pyoe Pin’s Garment Project is to bring together different stakeholders in order to achieve output and institutional change in areas such as improving employment standards and improving market access for garment SMEs.