Yangon, Myanmar, October 9, 2018—
IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, has launched a nationwide consumer education campaign, Htein Htein Thar, as part of its Lighting Myanmar project. The IFC-led innovation aims to promote the benefits of quality off-grid solar products in rural Myanmar. The new campaign will support this initiative by raising awareness about the benefits of these products.
Access to reliable electricity is a crucial driver for economic growth and can improve livelihoods of people in Myanmar. Currently, more than 60 percent of the population is not connected to the national grid, and rely on diesel generators, rechargeable batteries, and solar. Further, limited reliable information is available on the quality of the solar products available in the market. Consequently, many off-grid households in Myanmar are left with solar panels that do not provide enough power, lights that fade before they should, or batteries that need to be replaced frequently.
Dr. Aung Thu, the Minister for Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation (MOALI), said, “The Myanmar government is pleased to partner with IFC to support companies for bringing quality energy solutions to rural communities in Myanmar. The nation has committed to provide universal electricity access with reliable and sustainable energy services by 2030. The private sector can play an important role in achieving this goal, by bringing in new technologies, innovation and financing.”
“The Myanmar government is pleased to partner with IFC to support companies to bring quality energy solutions to rural Myanmar. The nation has committed to providing universal access to reliable and sustainable energy services by 2030. The private sector can play a big role in achieving this goal, by bringing in new technologies, innovation and financing.”
The Htein Htein Thar campaign supports companies that are selling Lighting Global quality-verified solar products in Myanmar, including Greenlight Planet, SolarHome, d.light and ovSolar, and other companies that will join the campaign in the future. These products have passed rigorous tests to ensure that they meet the Lighting Global Quality Standards, providing durable service and reliable warranties. Most of these products offer consumer financing that allows customers to pay in installments, either through microfinance partners or by using innovative Pay-as-you-go (PAYG) technology.
To date, more than 131 million people around the world have benefited from Lighting Global solar products. More than 26 million Lighting Global quality-verified products have been sold since 2008, and each year more than 1.75 million tons of greenhouse gas emissions are avoided due to the use of Lighting Global products instead of fossil fuels like kerosene.
“IFC is pleased to be working with the government and private sector to create a market for quality off-grid solar products. The Htein Htein Thar campaign will help consumers make informed decisions about purchasing quality solar products,” said Vikram Kumar, IFC Country Manager for Myanmar. He added, “This will, subsequently, provide better livelihoods, improve the lives of rural people in Myanmar, and support the country’s broader goals of gender inclusion and sustainable development.”
Lighting Myanmar is supported by the governments of Australia, Canada, and the United Kingdom, and
is implemented in partnership with the Myanmar Department of Rural Development (DRD).
About IFC
IFC—a sister organization of the World Bank and member of the World Bank Group—is the largest global development institution focused on the private sector in emerging markets. We work with more than 2,000 businesses worldwide, using our capital, expertise, and influence to create markets and opportunities in the toughest areas of the world. In fiscal year 2018, we delivered more than $23 billion in long-term financing for developing countries, leveraging the power of the private sector to end extreme poverty and boost shared prosperity. For more information, visit
www.ifc.org
.
About Lighting Myanmar
Launched in 2016, the Lighting Myanmar project assists international and Myanmar-based companies in creating a sustainable market for Lighting Global quality-verified off-grid solar products in Myanmar. Drawing from experience in other Lighting Global programs, Lighting Myanmar works with product manufacturers, distributors, financial institutions, development partners, and the government in six areas: (1) quality assurance: (2) market intelligence; (3) business development support; (4) consumer education; (5) access to finance; and (6) regulatory and policy dialogue.
About Htein Htein Thar
Htein Htein Thar is a consumer education campaign developed by IFC under Lighting Myanmar to inform consumers about Lighting Global quality-verified solar products and promote the benefits of quality solar in rural Myanmar. The campaign will use traditional media, digital outreach, and rural activation events, including traditional Myanmar Zat Pwe theater shows, to share information on the Lighting Global Quality Standards, the products that meet those standards, and the companies that are offering them in Myanmar.
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