A business matchmaking meeting between garment factory SMEs and local banks was held on October 15th, 2018 at Jasmine Palace Hotel. This half-day meeting was organized by SMART Myanmar with cooperation from 3 banks - AYA bank, Myanmar Citizens Bank (MCB) and A bank and was aimed to support local garment factory owners with accessing green financing and bridge financing for their green investment projects. 7 SMEs garment factories attended enthusiastically to discuss projects including solar PV installation, energy efficient sewing machine motors and installing safer and cleaner factory kitchen facilities for employee meals.

During the event, the participating banks explained about their SME loan services and discussed about the possible bridge loan opportunities with individual SMEs. SMART Myanmar is glad that the matchmaking meeting could bring the private banks and SMEs together and strengthen the business linkages between them for the implementation and easier access of green financing for the garment sector in Myanmar. 

"This meeting benefited both banks and our potential clients, as it gives us an opportunity to explain in detail about the loan options to possible customers." - SME Dept. Director (AYA Bank)

"We now have a clearer understanding on the SME loan programs of the banks." - Participant (Shwe Zarmani garment factory) 

"We can discuss openly with banks. We got to know about CGI Loan (non-collateralized) and how we should prepare to deal with banks to obtain an SME loan." - Participant (Great Lucky Star garment factory)