World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), in partnership with Myanmar Food Processors and Exporters Association (MFPEA) and Savings Banks Foundation for International Cooperation (SBFIC), are launching Tha Bar Wa, a cleaner production project for the food and beverage (F&B) industry in Myanmar, according to a statement.
Tha Bar Wa is a four-year project funded by the European Union (EU) under the SWITCH-Asia Programme, which supports initiatives for sustainable consumption and production across the Asia-Pacific. The Tha Bar Wa project aims to support the government and industry stakeholders as they work towards a more sustainable future for the F&B sector in Myanmar. The launch ceremony takes place today, 29 May 2018 at Rose Garden Hotel, Yangon.
 F&B is the largest industry in Myanmar, accounting for almost 60 per cent of all companies. It is thus important to ensure that the sector develops in a responsible manner that respects and protects the natural environment.
H.E. Kristian Schmidt, Ambassador of the European Union to Myanmar, said, “We are launching Tha Bar Wa in Myanmar to help local business and consumers switch to greener and more sustainable methods. In fact, as Myanmar's economy grows, I am convinced this programme can show that development and progress does not have to be at the expense of the environment or Myanmar's unique natural heritage."
U Sein Thaung Oo, Vice Chairperson of MFPEA, said, “Many local SMEs lack the knowledge and do not have the right technologies to implement green processes in their workflow. By learning and adopting new ways of operation, they can contribute to minimising the environmental impact of industries.”
Gaurav Gupta, WWF Myanmar’s Sustainable Business Programme Manager, said, “Industrial pollution and unsustainable use of resources impede the long term economic growth of a country. Myanmar has the opportunity to learn from and avoid the mistakes of other countries by ensuring its industries develop sustainably with cleaner production. The Tha Bar Wa project will support industries to achieve this green growth vision.”
The clean production initiative will begin with a training that provides Myanmar F&B companies with technical knowledge and the skills necessary to run a sustainable and environmentally friendly business.
Tha Bar Wa will facilitate access to finance and promote policies that encourage adoption of sustainable water and energy management practices.
Alongside existing clean production programmes, such as SMART Myanmar, Tha Bar Wa will work towards maximising its positive impact across beneficiaries such as SMEs in the F&B industry, local companies and individuals providing technical solutions, and Myanmar banks.
 Tha Bar Wa will also support and work closely with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Conservation (MoNREC), Ministry of Industry (MoI), Ministry of Education (MoE), and Yangon City Development Committee (YCDC) to strengthen public private partnership for cleaner production.