Addressing the nation on national TV on March 16, State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi laid out some measures for SMEs suffering from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Hardest-hit and most vulnerable businesses specially Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs) in sectors such as CMP, hotels and tourism will be able to apply for soft loans with reduced interest rates and tax exemption packages.

Reports say that between 4 to 10,000 workers have lost their jobs since the start of the year. U Thein Swe, minister of labour immigration and population, said this results from the closures and reduction of workforce in 15 factories and that 20 other factories have submitted requests for suspension of activities.