+95 94 4992 1511 consulting@drimyanmar.com

ACE – Access to Capital for Enterprises in Myanmar

We connect micro and small enterprises to financing facilities of financial institutions

Motivation

After 30 years of work on livelihoods for the low income, small asset-based (“poor”) households under various aid programmes without any real impact, the leadership of DRI is convinced that a focus on“ balance sheet” approach to small income earning activity and micro & small enterprise (MSE) development must constitute the core of livelihood intervention strategy. Such a strategy would additionally promote local economic growth and poverty alleviation as well as contribute to national level equitable economic growth.After 30 years of work on livelihoods for the low income, small asset-based (“poor”) households under various aid programmes without any real impact, the leadership of DRI is convinced that a focus on“ balance sheet” approach to small income earning activity and micro & small enterprise (MSE) development must constitute the core of livelihood intervention strategy. 

Mission

Such a strategy would additionally promote local economic growth and poverty alleviation as well as contribute to national level equitable economic growth.
We have configured and situated our core expertise in the context of critical needs of poor families engaged in homestead-based small income earning activities and those at the base of the pyramid engaged in MSEs. Our intervention model and service lines are organised and delivered under our flagship ACE programme – Access to Capital for Enterprises.
As a developing country “local” organisation, we have full confidence in our intellectual capital, local knowledge and expertise to accomplish our visionary goals – in partnerships with domestic financial institutions, local authorities and competent service providers. 

Thematic aspect of our service lines

Community based livelihoods promotion and development

  • Organisational capital of community groups engaged in savings and lending activities. Such groups may be called Community Savings and Loan Group (cslg)
  • Creation and operation of Group Capital Fund (gcf) together with low-cost mobile app-based software solution.
  • Growth of gcfwith access to external capital and resource mobilisation capacity
  • Participatory outcome-Impact monitoring and assessment

    • Entrepreneurial capacity of small producers

  • Capacity of poor households to make judicious decision on investing in homestead-based income earning activities.
  • Entrepreneurial capacity of micro and small producers.
  • Management of their debt

    • Business management capacity of micro and small enterprises

  • Small business accounting and financial management together with software.
  • Market development, marketing and sales promotion.
  • Enterprise operations management.

    • community based livelihoods development

    Capacity of poor households to make judicious small investment decision

  • Training in preparation of simple business plan with profitability and cash flow analysis.
  • Integration of mobile app-based software for capturing and calculating financials.
  • Coaching and advice on risk management of their small investments.

    • Entrepreneurial capacity of micro and small enterprises

  • Entrepreneurial capacity of MSEs is developed by involving theminbusiness planning
  • Engage the MSEs in conducting Investment and credit risk assessment of their investment.
  • Help them obtain all required business licenses, permits, company registrations, SME card, and all other regulatory documents.
  • Advise them on assessment of their moveable and immovable assets which could be secured to the financing banks as collateral
  • Package our clients’ loan proposal together with the full set of supporting instruments like credit guarantee insurance for bank loan or lease financing

    • Management of debt

  • Even for loans taken for consumption purpose or household-based income earning activity, members of a cslgare encouraged to prepare loan utilisation forms.
  • Member borrowers have clear idea of utilising their loan so they can amortise their debt.
  • Loans taken for MSE business activities are also better managed when the borrowers prepare their business plan. The financial plan informs the entrepreneur about the financial viability of their business and ability to pay back loan on time.
  • Our low-cost mobile app-based software application’s loan monitoring function allows for timely tracking of loan repayment.

    • business management capacity of enterprises

    Small business accounting and financial management

  • Training in small business accounting and financial management
  • Guidelines and training manual on small business accounting and financial management
  • Low-cost mobile app-based accounting software, together with training and User Guide

    • Market development, marketing and sales promotion

  • Value chain assessments to generate market knowledge.
  • Market feasibility and advice &training on market penetration & expansion strategy .
  • Training and advice on sales promotion strategy and methods
  • Connecting MSEs and rural producers with market players on supply and market chains.

    • Enterprise operations management

  • Training coaching & technical assistance in enterprise operations management covering:
  • Inventory management (for both raw materials and inputs and final products .
  • Staffing and worker management (both part-time and fill-time) .
  • Licenses and permits, business registration in the form of company limited.
  • Compliance with government regulations
  • Compliance with government taxation system
  • Safety measures, including food safety measures
  • Environmental management; garbage management
  • Natural resources management
  • Guidelines and Training Manual on enterprise operations management

    • Policy and programmatic feedback

    Data-driven development outcome analysis

  • Time-series and cross-section database reinforced by mobile app-based software.
  • Organisation and analysis generate dataand knowledge against measurable indicators.
  • Entrepreneurship development Indicator:  number of MSEs serviced by ourteam; number of Business Plan and Credit Risk Assessment reports; number and % of entrepreneurs who have borrowed money are repaying their debts on time; and number of MSEs who have taken repeat loans.
  • Job creation Indicator:  number of full-time and part-time jobs created by MSEs since receiving service from our team
  • Profit and financial sustainability of business Indicator:  profit before tax; amount and % of profit reinvested in the business balance sheet for business growth
  • Capital accumulation Indicator:  increase in retained earnings in balance sheet; increase in total asset together with increase in net worth (i.e. total asset minus liability).

    • Policy and programmatic papers

  • Policy analysis based on data, information and knowledge pieces generated from downstream implementation of our support activities.
  • Policy briefs on thematic issues
  • Design of support programme interventions for development support to homestead-based small income earning activities and MSE sector.
  • Connecting MSEs and rural producers with market players on supply and market chains.

    • Our team

    Our team is optimally configured with expertise blending conceptual ability and rigorous operational capability. The team is composed of subject matter experts with strong background in rural economy, small urban economy, local economic development, small business management, accounting and finance, and banking and lease financing. The DRI leadership has substantial working experience with local and global financial institutions, government agencies at national and local levels, donor agencies and private enterprises.