More than 90% of all private enterprises in Myanmar are small and medium enterprises (SMEs) from different sectors. Their role is very important for achieving sustainable economic development in Myanmar. Myanmar is currently drafting its Small and Medium Enterprise Law and the Government of Myanmar is encouraging the development of SMEs. The Friedrich Naumann Foundation (FNF) is actively taking part in this process by cooperating with the Central Department of SMEs Development under the Ministry of Industry to encourage the creation of a market economy which allows SMEs to flourish, create employment and reduce poverty.

As part of FNF support, the Foundation organised an SME Study Tour to Chennai and Coimbatore. Nine delegates took the journey to India: six representatives from the private sector, two government officials from the SME Center and one representative from FNF Myanmar. The delegates met presidents, vice-presidents and office holders of business associations like TANSTIA, as well as the commissioner and secretary to the government of Tamil Nadu State. In addition to meetings with bureaucrats, the group visited CODISSIA trade complex, Karur Home Textile Park, a number of manufacturing units and a business incubation centre.