Opening Remark, Demo Day of Women Entrepreneurship Program

Opening Speech, Women Entrepreneurship Program (WEP)

Funded by USAID, Feed The Future

Burma Agriculture and Food Systems Development Activity (AFDA)

5 August, 2023

Novotel Hotel Max, Yangon

Mingalabar and good afternoon, everyone.

It is truly an honor to welcome you all to this very special day—the Demo Day of our Women Entrepreneurship Program (WEP), a 10-month journey that brought together some of the most determined, innovative, and resilient women entrepreneurs from across Myanmar’s agri-food sector.

First and foremost, I want to sincerely thank USAID and the Feed the Future initiative for making this program possible. Feed the Future is not just a global program; it’s a beacon of food and nutrition security in some of the most fragile food systems in the world. Through this Feed The Future Burma Agriculture and Food Systems Development Activity (AFDA), we’ve been privileged to localize that mission here in Myanmar—with real people, real businesses, and real transformation.

I would also like to thank our deeply committed collaborators, especially Myanmar Women Entrepreneur Network (MYANWEN). Your outreach and passion have been critical to this program’s success. And to our contributing partners, collaboration bodies, knowledge partners, mentors — thank you for supporting Myanmar’s women-led businesses.

Let me share a bit of the journey.

From over 140 applications received across five different states and divisions of Myanmar, we selected 74 women entrepreneurs — all working in food or agri-food businesses. Over 10 months, they engaged in a comprehensive program designed to cultivate entrepreneurial thinking and enhance their capabilities in food safety, quality assurance and enhance their skills in management, business strategy, and financial planning etc.

Some participants, due to personal or business challenges, could not continue. But 68 women persevered—and today, we celebrate the top 10 finalists who have earned their place on this stage.

Their courage, resilience, and determination are nothing short of inspiring.

Women bring a different kind of strength to food systems. They bring unique perspectives, often shaped by lived experience, community grounding, and a deeply rooted sense of care. They hold knowledge and values that complement—and often exceed—what male-dominated systems tend to prioritize. And they carry responsibilities far beyond business—managing households, raising children, and navigating structural barriers every step of the way.

Yet despite those burdens, these women built businesses. And in doing so, they are helping safeguard Myanmar’s food security and nutrition resilience—not just for their families, but for all of us.

At a time when the world is facing climate uncertainty, economic fragmentation, and systemic shocks, we need exactly this kind of leadership—quiet, determined, local leadership—to create resilience from the ground up.

To the 10 finalists: congratulations. Today is your stage. Take it with confidence. Tell your story. Show your value. We are here to listen, to celebrate, and to invest in your future.

And to all participants, partners, and judges—thank you for walking this journey with us. Together, let’s continue to unlock the power of women in transforming Myanmar’s food systems.

Thank you.

END OF SPEECH