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EU’s SMART Project

launched in Myanmar

The European Union SMART Textile and Garments and Population Permanent Secretary U Myo Aung
project is launching its new project for boosting social during the launch of the project.
and environmental sustainability in Myanmar’s garment
industry and will bring together brands, trade unions “The project’s aim is to further strengthen sustaina-
and business associations on a single platform. ble production practices and responsible supply
chains in Myanmar and Europe,” said Jacob A.
The SMART Textile and Garments project will engage Clere, team leader of SMART Myanmar. The SMART
more than one hundred garment and textile factories Myanmar project has been working with garment
in Yangon, Mandalay, Bago, Pathein and other factories since 2013 to promote sustainable
regions. The project includes international retailers consumption and production (SCP) of garments
such as H&M, Bestseller and C&A, who will support bearing the label “Made in Myanmar” – a concept
the new programme to boost performance within with emphasis on resource efficiency and social
their Myanmar-based supply chains. responsibility. SMART Textiles and Garments builds
on SMART Myanmar and will expand training and
The project will involve local and European experts capacity building programmes for social and
and deliver on-site assessment and training on environmental performance to more than hundred
topics such as human resource management garment and textile factories in different locations
systems and workplace communications, occupa- across the country.
tional safety and health, chemicals and waste
management, and energy efficiency. In fiscal year 2018-19, garments made in Myanmar
were among the largest export categories in the
“The European Union’s unwavering commitment and country, with over US$4 billion worth of garments
support plays an important role in improving decent exported, according to the Ministry of Commerce.
work conditions and responsible business practices Since 2013, Myanmar’s garment sector has shown
in Myanmar,” said Ministry of Labour, Immigration high export-oriented growth.

November/December 2019