Market Research Association’s Seventh Annual General Meeting (7th AGM) and Myanmar Insight Seminar 2026

Part (2) continued with a keynote presentation by Professor Dr. Thaung Htay, Senior Advisor, entitled “Using Research and Data for Better Business and Policy Decisions.”

Dr. Thaung Htay discussed the topic “Data to Policy.” He began by introducing the concepts of Nation Building and State Building.

He explained that, throughout the process from data collection to drawing conclusions, it is important to consider concepts and philosophical approaches relating to ontology, epistemology and axiology.

He concluded that although research produces data and information, sound decisions can be made only when decision-makers have sufficient interest, attention and focus. He also explained that these concepts can be applied in business.

The Business Panel was held under the theme:

“Reviewing the Data and Information Required for Myanmar’s Economic Development”

U Moe Kyaw opened the discussion by presenting statistics on Myanmar’s key economic indicators, including GDP value, the sectoral composition of GDP, per capita income, GDP growth, foreign exchange rates, trade data and estimates of remittance inflows.

U Moe Kyaw then served as the moderator for the sectoral panel discussion. The panellists were U Ye Min Aung from the agricultural sector, U Aye Tun from the industrial sector, U Myint Zaw from the banking sector, and U Zaw Min Oo from the digital and IT sector.

The Market Research Panel continued under the theme:

“Emerging Consumer and Business Trends in Myanmar: What the Latest Research Tells Us”

Daw Mi May Phyu Phyu Sin of MSR, Secretary of the Market Research Association, opened the session with a presentation entitled “The Value of Market Research Across Global and Local Horizons.”

Market research is not merely the collection of data; it is a strategic process that enables businesses to make sound decisions. It reduces uncertainty and risk while helping businesses better understand consumers, competitors, opportunities and market conditions.

Although Myanmar’s current market continues to rely heavily on face-to-face research and faces challenges such as limited official data and differences in consumer income, there are opportunities to improve digital research and data infrastructure. She therefore emphasised that researchers, businesses and policymakers should make greater use of better data, insights and evidence-based decision-making to build a more resilient economy.

Myanmar consumers have become more cautious, more selective and more calculating than before. However, this does not mean that their needs have declined. Instead, they are increasingly searching for the best available choices to meet those needs.

The key change in Myanmar’s market today is not simply a change in consumers’ purchasing power, but a change in how they make purchasing decisions. Businesses that understand this shift will be better positioned to succeed in the future market. The discussion concluded with this key message.

The Market Research Association’s Seventh Annual General Meeting and Myanmar Insights Seminar 2026, which lasted four hours, were successfully held to the standard of a regional seminar.