OUR EXPERIENCE

Thura Swiss implemented desk research and 45 in-depth interviews of food producers, retailers and wholesalers in order to capture the market trends, demand and supply in the country, customer preferences, decision making processes, spending powers, competitions, challenges that the producers have in the market, future trends, industry-wide perspectives including insights and outlooks and market opportunities. Based on the information aggregated during desk research and in-depth interviews, we drew sound conclusion on how to implement a successful market entry. We looked at the growth potential and market segment that will need to be tackled while at the same time assessing competitors in the market and their positions. We outlined a strategic market entry plan that will take into consideration various distribution channels and costs related with these channels. We also assessed the values that the client’s brand will bring to the market in comparison with other products. 

Services: Desk Research, In-depth Interviews, Strategy Development

Thura Swiss has been contracted by the World Bank to lead "Consulting Services for the Ease of Doing Business Reform Project in Myanmar". The project focuses on providing technical support to the Special Task force for Business and Trade Promotion headed by the Ministry of Commerce (MoC) and its members (the President's Economic Advisor, Deputy Ministers, UMFCCI Chairman and General Secretary). In the first phase, Thura Swiss together with the WB and the MoC identified prioritized areas to work on, for Thura Swiss to assess the regulatory barriers to doing business and to provide recommendations and advocate for the adoption. In the course of the project, Thura Swiss conducted in-depth analysis of existing processes and procedures for issuing of import licenses and permits using regulatory reform methodologies and tools such as process mapping, standard cost model, cost-benefit analysis and public-private dialogue and identified critical regulatory areas for further improvement of the business environment. In the second phase, Thura Swiss also helped to conduct preliminary research on the license registration within the Ministry of Industry, which provided the World Bank a brief overview of the business registration volumes per sector.

Services: Qualitative & Quantitative Analysis, Process Mapping & Optimization, Problem Identification

The project was conducted as an extension to the “Consulting Services for Ease of Doing Business Reform Project in Myanmar” for the IFC World Bank Group. Thura Swiss was contracted to assess the effectiveness of import policy changes, which were introduced by the Ministry of Commerce in order to reduced constraints in trading. Thura Swiss measured the effectiveness of a newly introduced negative list and the satisfaction of importers who were affected by the policy changes. As a result of our research, we identified which HS Codes still have bottlenecks after relaxing their licensing policy. For this project, Thura Swiss conducted a survey of 150 companies in and around Yangon City and 17 in-depth interviews for both general and specific examples of problematic HS Codes.

Services: Exploratory Data Analysis (EDA), Face-to-Face Survey and Phone Survey, Bottleneck Identification, Quantitative & Qualitative Analysis

Thura Swiss provided consulting services to develop a comprehensive and structured business plan/strategy for a client in the agricultural sector who was in the process of forming a public company. Thura Swiss has also been contracted to develop the investment memorandum for the current shareholders to be able to present the company’s vision and strategy to potential investors. In the project, we ensured that the client will comply with the standards defined by the Security and Exchange Commission of Myanmar regarding the development of a public company.  In addition, Thura Swiss provided general advisory on the strategy of the public company to develop a vision, identify opportunities and risks, select focus areas of the business, and assess potential competitors.

Services: Desk Research, In-depth Interviews, Analysis of Business Case, Strategy Consulting

Thura Swiss performed consulting services for a private sector client operating in the downstream oil & gas industry to structure a new business model consisting of developing a franchise and investment model. As part of the project, Thura Swiss is also responsible for structuring a business plan integrating the new business structure. The project consists of three phases:

1. Market research and development of the franchise and investment model
2. Developing the business plan and incorporating the new business structure
3. Restructuring the company to ensure efficiency and compliance regarding the overall operations, human resources related matters and tax & accounting procedures

Services: Strategy Development, Investment Structuring, Financial Modelling

As the client wished to obtain clear facts on the investment environment in Myanmar, Thura Swiss provided research services that included preparation of necessary data such as the laws and rules related to urban and rural development planning, port and harbor planning, construction, design, real estate, land, sea and relevant working environment standards and engineering project basic data. Also included were the laws and policies on conservation of historical landmarks and sites, existing buildings, forest protection and wetlands protection. The report presented to the client included national development program for airports (airport infrastructure development program, future 20 years plan, sizing airport development plan, situation of private sector participation in airports development) and the statical data that includes GDP, urban and suburb income, all kinds of fees charged by Yangon ports, etc. Our research report was a point of reference which allowed the client make strategic decisions for his investment in Myanmar.

Services: Desk Research, Primary Research, Industry Visits

Thura Swiss undertook market research and a feasibility study for the development of a luxury boutique hotel for a local party willing to partner with foreign investors. Our financial and commercial feasibility study was the centrepiece of the business plan as it entailed brief explanation on Myanmar growing tourism sector, financial development (cost, profit, and return on investment), and legal aspect and tax structure in Myanmar.

Services: Market Research, Financial Feasibility Study, In-depth Interviews 

Thura Swiss provided the client with an in-depth study on Myanmar’s downstream Oil and Gas market and covered different research aspects such as demand drivers, supply level and assessment of the competitiveness of the environment. We also provided a cost analysis and recommendations for the client as they were willing to assess the possibility to enter the market.

Services: Market Insight, Pricing Analysis, Market Entry Recommendations, Consumption Forecasts, Cost Analysis

Thura Swiss provided the client an in-depth analysis on fuel distribution in Myanmar and covered 7 different aspects: overview of the downstream fuel market, retail demand, industrial demand, economics, supply, infrastructure and logistics and market recommendations. This allowed the client have a precise view on the feasibility of entering the Myanmar market. Thura Swiss conducted for the client a cost analysis and price analysis and identified the margins made for every steps through the value chain.

Services: Market Insight, Pricing Analysis, Market Risk and Challenges Analysis, Market Entry Recommendations & Consumption Forecasts

Thura Swiss conducted a nationwide study of a livestock sector in Myanmar to coordinate a 3 years PPP involving the Myanmar Livestock Federation and 8 European companies. We identified individual components of the value chain, developed information of the sector to provide a better understanding and general idea about consumer trends and the development of the the consumption.

Services: Desk Research, In-depth Interviews, Quantitative and Qualitative Survey

Thura Swiss conducted an analysis of the appropriate business strategy for the client, giving them the tools and insights on the microfinance sector in Myanmar to prepare their market entry. This project was heavily backed up with industry research to provide the most updated information and necessary knowledge on the sector in order to have a clear view of the market. Part of the provided services was implementing mystery shopping and conducting in-depths interviews with the competitors to have insights on the current industry practices. The report included current market saturation analysis, current microfinance models, legal structure, customer services and customer acquisitions and full details on the loan processes. The Thura Swiss team then put together a business plan to support their license application.

Services: Desk Research, In-depths Interviews, Mystery Shopping, Business Plan/Strategy

As part of the GIZ Financial Sector Development (FSD) project to support the banking sector with a special focus on SME-Finance, GIZ decided to co-publish with Thura Swiss a new report with the objective to provide a wide dissemination of in-depth knowledge on selected financial sector topics in relation with the current transformation process. The report captured the current financial transformation to a democratic state from the point of view of key decision-makers. This publication targets the following audience: Myanmar’s main decision makers, stakeholders in the financial sector as well as economists and scholars.

Thura Swiss’ role in this project was to help GIZ to:

• Reach and access local experts on the various topics such as Union Government Budget, Taxation, Security and Exchange Law, Sovereign Bond, Stock Market, Project Finance, Payment and Settlement Systems and Mobile payments
• Provide in-house financial and market knowledge
• Reach effectively the local community and main decision-makers in Myanmar

Services: In-depth Interviews, Qualitative Survey

The client engaged our services in order to reduce his risk when entering the purified water business in Myanmar. In this project, we applied both our industry and consumer research units to provide a complete view of the water market. In a first step, we calculated the total market size and the market shares of the main players. We then assessed the main competitors in the market and analysed their marketing strategies. Based on our findings, we assessed the market outlook and the potential of developing a new brand in Myanmar. The research entailed a survey of 1,200 consumers to understand drinking behavior and satisfaction, brand preference and loyalty, brand awareness, brand image based on different socio-economic classes (SEC).

Services: In-depth Interviews, Phone Survey, Focus Groups Discussions

The client wanted to have a better understanding of the insurance market in Myanmar and the general environment, awareness and various behaviors of the Myanmar people toward risks and insurance products. This project was being implemented in the context of a soon expected liberalization of the insurance sector in Myanmar. Thura Swiss applied desk research, face-to-face surveys (CAPI) and telephone surveys (CATI) to provide a clear view of the insurance sector in Myanmar. In order to collect necessary data for B2C (individuals and households decision), Thura Swiss implemented a telephone survey with 2,000 respondents structured along census and Thura Swiss internal data. For the B2B side, we ran 300 face-to-face surveys with senior/operation managers/decision makers from different enterprises on insurance products.

Services: Face to Face Survey & Telephone Survey

Thura Swiss implemented a telephone survey of 1200 consumers in three regions (Upper, Central, Lower Myanmar), carefully selected from our in-house database in order to represent the country's population. The aim of the survey was to capture information about brand awareness, brand usage and preference, brand image, brand positioning and brand valuation as well as consumer behavior analysis. We provided through this research report a full analysis on local habits and preferences towards the consumption of a particular brand but also regarding the consumption of competing products. Thura Swiss broke down the information along Socio-Economic Classes as well as along geographic regions.

Services: Telephone Survey, Brand Analysis

Thura Swiss provided technical assistance for the better understanding of trade relations and on the ground challenges. This project was aimed to improve the border trade between Myanmar and India by accomplishing the proper measures and analyses. Hence, Thura Swiss conducted the following work:

(1) Identifying standard procedures, understanding key trends in border trade and required policy measures 

(2) Identifying bottlenecks in border trade, analyzing and interpreting the information gathered 

(3) Conducting a 360-degree assessment on Myanmar-India border trade through insights 

(4) Providing recommendations and determining solutions based on analytical judgements 

We conducted (1) Desk Research, (2) 60 In-depth Interviews with relevant associations, ministries, authorities, experts and traders, (3) 50 Business Surveys with private sector players (both exporters and importers), (4) 200 Consumer Surveys and (5) Analysis. A 360-degree assessment through insights, regulatory assessment, case studies on trade policies and border trade policies of other countries will be conducted. We will also identify the areas to be improved for trade development of Myanmar-India border trade. 

Thura Swiss interviewed 9,000 people using CATI (computer-assisted telephone interviewing) in order to have insights on the telecommunication market in Myanmar. The research entailed consumer analysis to understand mobile brand usage and preference, brand image, brand positioning and brand valuation as well as preferences of mobile services and comeback users experience.  In addition, we implemented a total number of a 600 B2B survey in Yangon, Mandalay and Nay Pyi Taw in 2 separate waves; 300 respondents for each wave. We assessed brand awareness and preference for mobile services, fixed line and solutions, customer satisfaction and dissatisfaction by services, net promoter scores, decision-making behaviors of B2B customers and communication channels. Collected data allowed the Client to have a clear view on their brand health, customer satisfaction and net promoter score which gave the tools to understand the success factors for the product development and service improvement to develop a stronger brand.

Services: Telephone Surveys, Face-to-face Surveys, Brand Analysis

The Client would like to assess the current state of digitalization and global value chain integration (i.e. internationalization) among MSMEs in Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, and Vietnam (CLMV), to pinpoint and understand the challenges these MSMEs are facing. This is done to help the countries develop initiatives to effectively address the needs and enhance the capacity and capabilities of the local MSMEs in these aspects. The Client would like to understand particularly in their current level of digitalization and internationalization, as well as their willingness for and preference to assistance to be received. In this regard, Thura Swiss implemented telephone surveys to MSMEs in the industries such as agriculture, forestry and fishing, chemical industry, garment, F&B, and textile manufacturing in Yangon and Mandalay regions of Myanmar. Based on the collected information, the Client will be able to create tailor-fit solutions to help them digitize and internationalize.

One of our clients in the automotive industry would like to gain better insights in automobile markets of Myanmar including current market trends, information of key brands in the market, policy changes, customer perceptions, impacts of locally assembled cars in the market. Regarding the client's criteria, Thura Swiss conducted desk research to acquire the relevant information of the automobile market and in-depth interviews with relevant stakeholders and associations, dealers, showrooms, experts, opinion leaders and influencers to have opinions on automobile markets. The collected data ensured the necessary information that the client needs to discover about the automobile market of Myanmar, including the information for general market, market demand, overview of locally assembled market, regulatory framework, market trends, etc.

Services: Desk Research, In-depth Interviews, Analysis

The Client aims to promote civilian ownership of the Myanmar Economy by increasing the share held by responsible, accountable and transparent firms. Thura Swiss was contracted by the Client to support data gathering, provide input on investment opportunities, rapid market assessment and potential opportunities for agriculture, aquaculture, off-grid and textile sectors.  In this regard, Thura Swiss conducted desk research, in-depth interviews, focus group discussions and business surveys to provide technical assistance from both quantitative and qualitative aspects. Based on collected data, Thura Swiss will (1) provide data and analytical inputs to the sector validation process, prepare a proposed methodology and outline for rapid market assessments in selected sectors, (2) produce draft rapid market assessments in agriculture, aquaculture, off-grid and textile sectors, (3) produce final rapid market assessments with sector specific recommendations to inform Private Sector Engagement Strategy and (4) develop a draft strategy for the Client to increase investment in small and growing businesses. 

Services: Desk Research, Focus Group Discussions, In-depth Interviews, Analysis

The Client completed Myanmar Private Sector Agribusiness sector analysis on rice and pulses sector. The objectives of the analysis were (1) to implement an analytical framework and criteria to identify opportunities for inclusive agribusiness-led development, (2) to develop and apply a typology to characterize and analyses the agribusiness landscape and (3) to Identify key areas requiring further work to facilitate inclusive agribusiness-led development. Thura Swiss will be an in-country partner under a 1-year contract to help the client in implementing inclusive agri-business led development. We will study the following activities for this research: (1) Global pulses market analysis, (2) Country analysis, (3) Pulses value chain analysis, (4) Preliminary stakeholder engagement, (5) in-country capacity development and (6) recommendation.

Services: Desk Research, Focus Group Discussions, Interviews, Analysis