Bad Business: Recovering From Mingalar Market Fire

Fired affected sellers from Mingalar Wholesale market who currently sell their goods at the temporary market says their business has dropped more than half of its previous income due to its location. 

3,186 shops have been transferred to this temporary market since February 10. Financial assistance like loans has been disbursed to those owners who lost their properties in the fire incident.  

Most of them said that the new location negatively impacts their sales. 

Seller, EI PHYU: When we opened here, the sales dropped by over half of previous rate, as no one wants to come up here. It's very difficult for us. I hope to be able to open our own market again in the old place.

Shop Owner, KHIN KHIN KYI: There are many difficulties for us, as we've been moving around in the market, so definitely lose lots of money. As we have to open here at the temporary market, we lost contact with our regular buyers. 

Aside from a less strategic location, some shop owners also complain about other difficulties in facilities.  

Shop Owner, POH POH: I’m thankful about the temporary market place, but my shop has been located at a place inaccessible to electricity. I wish the concerned officials will solve this problem soon. As we sells cosmetic, people want to see it, but they can't because it dark here. 

Market officials pledge to do what they can to address the issues.  

Deputy Head of Department, Markets Department (YCDC), Kyaw Myint: I believe there might be some difficulties for them as we urgently created temporary market for them. But we will try to cooperate with them to ease their challenges and difficulties. 

Three floors of the Mingalar Wholesale Market burned down in early January, with an estimated 3.6 billion kyat worth of damages.