An expo and market fair, the first of its kind in Kyaukphyu, Arakan State, kicked off at Yammarwadi Hall on Tuesday morning.

Marine products such as fish, prawn, oyster and local products such as rice, cooking oil and iodised salt and other products have been put on display at the expo.

The products of 22 entrepreneurs from Kyaukphyu District are being displayed at the exhibition. Participating entrepreneurs have taken the opportunity to also present their difficulties and needs to junta officials.

“Bangladesh will soon buy salt from Arakan State,” said U Tun Kyawl, secretary of the Arakan State Salt Farmers Association. “However, there are technical and financial difficulties for salt farmers to produce quality salt from the traditional salt production industry. That’s why we have to showcase the salt production industry in this expo, so that the concerned authorities know about the difficulties faced by the salt farmers.”

Daw Nyo Nyo Myint, head of Kyaukphyu District’s Directorate of Industrial Supervision and Inspection, said that the expo is being organised by the Arakan State military council with the aim of expanding the market for local products, and attracting investors.

“The main purpose of holding the expo is that only the development of the MSME sector in a country will lead to national development. That is why we are organiing the expo with the aim of enabling MSMEs to penetrate the market widely,” she explained.

Small and medium businesspeople in Kyaukphyu have technical and financial needs to expand their business and want to receive support through this week’s expo.

“Although my oyster farming business is successful, I have financial difficulties to expand the business further. I participated in this exhibition in order to receive support for these difficulties,” said U Khin Maung Aye, an oyster breeder.

The expo is being held for two days, from January 31 to February 1, from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., with stage shows and entertainment programs also included at night.