Mission dates: Saturday 6 July – Friday 12 July 2019
Closing date for applications: Friday 31 May 2019

Aim of this Mission

The key objectives of the mission are to help organisations applying for the Energy Catalyst Round 7 to gain an understanding of the energy access issues in Myanmar and find links to potential partners.

The Energy Catalyst

The Energy Catalyst programme was set up in 2013 to support UK-based businesses to develop highly innovative, market-focused energy technologies. The programme will enable them to commercialise sustainable energy solutions faster than they normally would. Energy sustainability is based on three pillars of the energy trilemma – low cost, low carbon and secure supply. In 2019, the Energy Catalyst programme was awarded £36.6m from the Global Challenges Research Fund (GCRF) for two rounds of the Energy Catalyst programme. This means the sole focus of the programme now centres around technologies that meet both the energy trilemma and the energy access needs of Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia.

Why Myanmar?

• Myanmar is a country of over 50 million people strategically located between China and India, with plentiful natural resources
• Almost 40% of the world’s population live in bordering countries
• The Myanmar government has made strong commitments to economic and political reform
• It seeks international donor backing and encourages foreign direct investment in key industries
• Myanmar is undertaking a programme of substantial financial reform aimed at simplifying foreign investment procedures
• Well-established historic and trade links with the UK and recognition of British brands benefit UK organisations trying to access the market
• GDP annual growth rate in Myanmar is expected to be 6.4% by the end of June 2019, according to Trading Economics global macro models and analysts’ expectations
• The government has begun encouraging trade with the UK after decades of discouragement
• Myanmar attracted £4.5bn in foreign direct investment between April 2017 and March 2018

Costs

On acceptance to the mission, a commitment fee of £500 will be taken from you, which will be returned on completion of the mission and feedback form. Non-attendance after formal acceptance will result in forfeiting the commitment fee.

Travel

This mission is part of GCRF. For approved organisations Innovate UK will fund flights, five nights’ accommodation (four in Yangon and one in Nay Pyi Taw), in-country transport, food and visas. Please note that GCRF does not cover travel and health insurance for the mission. This will need to be obtained individually. Please note there are no mandatory vaccinations for visiting this country; optional vaccinations are at the discretion of delegates.

How to Apply

To express an interest in participating, click here to complete the application form. It is a competitive process; places are limited and applications will be evaluated by a panel of experts from the organisers. You will be notified of the outcome by Tuesday 4 June 2019.

Further Information

For further information on the energy sector opportunities in Myanmar, details of the preliminary program for the trade mission and all the necessary contact details for making an application to join, please click on the downloadable PDF below.

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