The International Trade Centre (ITC) together with the Netherlands Centre for the Promotion of Imports from developing countries (CBI) has launched a $1.9-million project to boost sustainable tourism in Myanmar with a particular focus on the country’s scenic Kayah State.
This three-year project forms part of the Netherlands Trust Fund (NTF) III programme financed by CBI and implemented by the International Trade Centre (ITC).
The tourism project, which forms part of Myanmar’s National Export Strategy, is aimed at fostering inclusiveness of tourism development which will benefit local communities.
The NTFIII Steering Group recently met local stakeholders and partners in Yangon, and Loikaw, capital of Kayah state, and discussed collaborative efforts and synergies for the implementation and sustainable development of the tourism project, and the economic benefits that will ensue from the success of this initiative.
ITC’s delegation leader, Anders Aeroe, director for market development, said technical assistance offered to the Myanmar is executed strategically, in line with national development objectives.
“Our goal is to build the capacity of local authorities and actors in the tourism sector to work together in a coherent and cost-effective way to draw visitors to Kayah state, which is a region of great natural beauty,’ Aeroe said.
This project will help integrate local producers and service providers into tourism value chains which will increase revenue generation, he said.
“Creating economic opportunities for local communities will contribute to social development.”
Dick de Man, deputy managing director of CBI, said the tourism industry can bring foreign exchange to Myanmar and contribute to job creation in a promising sector of the country’s economy, generating livelihoods for local communities, particularly in Kayah state.
“Our aim in working with the ITC is to support selected sectors of industry in developing countries, including Myanmar, to enhance their economic competitiveness and viability in a targeted way,” de Man said.
