State officials, industry associations, and trade professionals from Myan- mar’s oil and gas community gath-
ered at the Myanmar Convention Centre (MCC) for three days to attend the inaugural edition of Oil & Gas Myanmar. As the larg- est trade event of its kind in Myanmar, the event aims to be a source of international support and expertise, and trusted knowl- edge base for the sustained development of the country’s oil and gas industry.
Local industry professionals were given im- mediate access to a myriad of international oil and gas suppliers and service providers brought together conveniently under one roof at the MCC. In total, Oil & Gas Myan- mar 2014 saw more than 2300 attendees, comprising special guests, conference del- egates, trade visitors and members of the press that attended the event.
The event marks the beginning of the next phase of transformation for the country’s oil and gas industry. “The Ministry of Energy would need to transform our economic ap- proach, our mindset and our organization structure to be in line with the state’s eco- nomic policy. Our first move is to transform our capabilities through collaboration with foreign technical and financial expertise. By this process, we can achieve the technology competency and development of our own human resources,” says U Than Min, Direc- tor of Planning at Myanmar Oil & Gas Enter- prise (MOGE).
On the exhibition, he comments, “The prod- ucts and services at Oil & Gas Myanmar are very interesting and relevant to the indus- try. I hope all participants will gain much knowledge and deepen their understanding through interactions with the local and in- ternational exhibitors at the show.”
“The event is a showcase of products, equip- ment and services necessary for the further development and long term industry sus- tainability. This includes suppliers and ser- vice providers for each sector of the oil and gas value chain including exploration, off- shore, production, transportation, refining and storage. As a result, we have created a unique business platform where the local in- dustry will benefit from an expanding supply chain of support services,” says Mr. Stephen Tan, Chief Executive of organiser, Singapore Exhibition Services.
“We hope that through Oil & Gas Myan- mar, we will begin to see a more robust and healthy eco-system for the fast developing oil and gas industry in Myanmar, and for the
show to be a platform for local industry pro- fessionals to source and share knowledge,” he adds.
Visitors to Oil & Gas Myanmar lauded the event’s aim to kick-start the entry of in- ternational support services into the local oil and gas industry. Many visitors were thrilled to be able to tap the expertise and form business relationships with interna- tional exhibitors with such ease.
RedLink Group of Companies, a Myanmar conglomerate with a diverse business range including trade and logistics for oil and gas industry needs as well as supply of commu- nication and satellite technology connecting international energy companies in Myan- mar with their international headquarters, visited the Oil & Gas Myanmar 2014. Ms. Khin Ei Ei, Executive Director of RedLink Group of Companies commented, “We have been supplying equipment to the oil and gas industry in Myanmar since 2007. It has al- ways been a challenge to get in touch with international suppliers as we could only communicate via email. With the entry of Oil & Gas Myanmar, it is great to have all the suppliers in Myanmar, and we are able to speak to them face to face. It is a great place to form business relationships with potential international partners.”
U Khin Maung Gyi, Advisor at PTTEP In- ternational Limited who visited Oil & Gas Myanmar on two days comments on his ex- perience at the show, “There are many inter- esting companies at Oil & Gas Myanmar. As a Geo scientist, I am particularly interested in 2D and 3D seismic technology. There are many international exhibitors and this pro- vides great exposure for local professionals and we can learn a lot from them.”
U Aung Naing Soe, Operation Director at Family Win Ltd, a logistics company that provides transport services along Myan- mar’s inland and coastal areas servicing the oil and gas industry, comments on the show, “I found new technology at Oil & Gas Myan- mar that I have never seen before, such as gas detectors that I find very interesting and useful. I am considering installing them on our ships. Previously it was a lot harder to source for new equipment and technology, therefore is it great that the international exhibitors bring their expertise to Myanmar through this show. I will definitely be back next year!”
Exhibitors alike welcomed the staging of Oil & Gas Myanmar as a much needed avenue for international entry into Myanmar’s oil and gas industry.
Mr. Heoh Chin-Fah, Business Develop- ment Director for Asia Pacific, Interica Ltd comments, “Oil & Gas Myanmar 2014 has certainly raised the bar for the oil and gas industry in Myanmar. The show has brought together an international exchange of ideas, opportunities and relationships, and match- ing the nascent industry requirements and expectations with international companies of the highest standards. This can only con- tinue to benefit Myanmar as a whole, and the betterment of the oil and gas industry.”
Echoing his sentiments, Mr. Chris Winn, Director, Premier Coatings said, “Exhibiting at Oil & Gas Myanmar 2014 was a very im- portant first step into the Myanmar market for us. The exhibition not only afforded us the opportunity to make many new con- tacts and potential business partners, but through networking, gave us a most import- ant insight into what we hope will become a key export market for our company in the future.”
The next edition of Oil & Gas Myanmar will be held from 14 – 16 October 2015 at the Myanmar Event Park, Yangon.