TODAY

The term ‘ready-made’ has become well-known in Myanmar. As everybody-housewife, office worker, provincial person, etc — tries to catch up with Time in their daily life the role of ready-made foodstuffs has expanded much more than before. In line with the buzzword ‘Myan­mar’s Kitchen’ TODAY interviewed MD of Myanmar Makro Industry Co Ltd  and Secretary Gen­eral of Union Myanmar  Federation of Chambers of Commerce & Industry U Moe Myint Kyaw, producer/distributor of all too familiar READY tinned fish as follows:

The past activities of Myanmar Makro Industry Co Ltd. Please…

Myanmar Makro Industry Co., Ltd. Launch-ed in 1997, firstly using Ocean Brand. Winning acceptance and an expanding market, it was followed by Ready Brand which took about five years to start production.

Any obstacles in establishing Ready Brand?

A big obstacle was the imports of close-to-Expire sardine tins from abroad at extremely reduced prices. Dealers were satisfied that we stood firm with Brand’s quality, in other words we established a Standard the customers were conscious of.

How do you keep Standard Quality?

It is mainly our good intention towards the consumer. The flesh and all ingredients are standard, in addition to packing wherein some producers would have gone for lower quality metal to fashion tins and ‘Open’ clips. Some imported tinned fish are very cheap because they mostly contain the flesh of fish towards the tail while the better priced middle part is sold elsewhere.

Then, we use natural tomato pulp while it is artificial in some important. In this way our Quality Standard is maintained in regard of packing and formula. However good a product is, a high price could dissuade the consumer. When local made and foreign made are more or less the same the consumer will opt for the cheaper product.

Where is you’re base plant situated?

Tinned Food Factory, Tharketa of Ministry of Livestock Breeding and Fisheries. We hold a 30-year lease of it with Myanmar Investment Commission’s permission.

Your current problems?

We can’t go mass production yet, without which it isn’t easy to stand long. Our fish resources can’t be exploited to the full. Some countries catch sardines but they can’t tin them. We need to import those fish, and re-export  them as tinned fish.

Our country has plentiful labour, unlike other countries. More export quality goods mean job opportunities here. Yes, our current problem is mass production.

Has consumption of ready-made food-stuffs grown than before?

Yes, it has. For people’s changing lifestyle and rushing nature of things slow food has declined while fast-food has increased. Ready-made foodstuff like tinned fish is a great help for an emergency meal, guests, lunch box for schoolchildren, or alms-food for the monk. Lately with increased production of quality foodstuffs people are inclined to consume them.

Formerly local tinned fish were few, but with brisk local production now it has become a basic food item. Therefore consumption of tinned fish is rising from year to year.

Is it correct that READY Brand is trying to mainly cover domestic market?

Yes, it is. Our major market is local, but exports are few. Nowadays’s there are many Myanmar expatriates in Singapore, Australia, etc and outbound travellers often take along our foodstuffs as gifts. Some markets also are selling our goods abroad.

How would you judge Myanmar taste buds?

Wherever Myanmar are, they love their particular flavours. We take that into account, even the cooking powder used is of Myanmar favour. Moreover, we try to make our products taste like its original fresh-cooked fish.

Any arrangement to take READY products to  rural areas?

We have our own motor vehicles for distribution, in addition to advertising. We have agents in many localities. To help them more, we have opened Branches in Mandalay, Meikhtila.

Facts on READY should be fairly complete. Now a little bio-data of yours please …

I got my BE (Mechanical) from Yangon Institute of Technology in 1987. It was followed by Mastery of Engineering from AIT, Bangkok. The factory was first opened soon afterwards.

Global Business Link (GBL) is known to belong to your Group of Companies. How does you go about managing different types of businesses?

We need to lead, train and empower the personnel. With confidence come from experience we embolden and prod the employees. Skill comes out of work spread over times. It won’t do to do all single-handedly and be a know-all. Personnel have to be trained to work hand in hand with us. Thus has our industry grown.

What has your experience taught you?

Mainly obstacles exist in any business. Some could be very difficult to solve. However complicated a problem is, don’t be anxious but take one thing at a time. Most people wish to solve a problem at once and all in one stroke, but the problem would often became more complicated. It becomes much easier when we see how to solve a problem stage by stage.

From the Buddhist perspective also, we own nothing. It would be a hard life if we were acting as if we owned everything. Therefore, it is best to do one’s best in what is practicable at the current stage.

You are always punctual especially as to appointments. How significant is this trait in a man’s success?

Punctuality is a trait of significance among others. I always arrive 15 minutes earlier for any appointment. This is a self-developed trait. A discipline I have set myself is: My action should not inconvenience others. Don’t think one’s absence won’t be noticeable in a big meeting. You miss an appointment, and it leads to First impression on the other party’s part. There’s no expression as ‘Second impression’! And this factor will figure well in one’s success. So the basics are: Don’t cause others any inconvenience;  don’t let your action cause anyone’s loss.

Thank you for your time given to this interview.