The ICT sector is perhaps Myanmar’s most advanced area of the steadily growing economy. Nevertheless, the era of easy growth and customer acquisition for telecommunications players has come to an end, and a new phase of intense competition has ensued. Myanmar has wide-ranging plans to grow its digital economy and is actively engaging in efforts to improve the foundations of its digital ecosystem…
One of the fastest-growing economies in South-east Asia, Myanmar has been steadily opening up to international trade and investment over the past decade. A new long-term economic development agenda, alongside ongoing liberalisation and the easing of restrictions on foreign investors – notably, within the insurance sector – and considerable growth in some manufacturing segments, is set to encou
On utilising technology to link smaller players to the supply chain How can artificial intelligence (AI) and data-driven solutions support the growth of the burgeoning micro-, small and medium-sized enterprise (MSME) segment in Asia? RACHEL BARGER: Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) serve their local markets, but many aspire to do business on a larger scale. However, their growth…
On how the city-state is positioning itself as a door to South-east Asia and a hub for cross-border collaboration What advantages does Singapore offer tech companies seeking a springboard into ASEAN? PETER ONG: Innovation in South-east Asia is at an inflection point. The average age of the region’s 640m-strong population is 30, and a growing level of consumption power characterises…
Interview :U Myo Ohn What are the upsides of further 4G and fibre-optic penetration, and what role can foreign direct investment (FDI) play in developing such capacities? U MYO OHN: The further proliferation of 4G can help the public in many ways, particularly in the expansion or adoption of e-commerce, e-government and e-health services. At present, 4G is cheaper and more widely available…
Recent efforts to narrow Myanmar’s digital divide have bolstered regional economies and transformed the technological landscape. The adoption of the latest ICT capabilities has improved efficiency in a range of areas, from agriculture to tax collection. While considerable improvements have been made, the country’s nascent digital economy ecosystem has lacked a solid foundation. However, after the…
Interview :U Khin Maung Soe How has increased competition among telecoms operators contributed to the sector’s development? U KHIN MAUNG SOE: Increased competition has enabled consumers to identify which operators work well under different circumstances and which offer the best prices. Having said that, it is common for mobile phone users in Myanmar to make use of more than one SIM card at…
Since the liberalisation of the telecommunications industry, the Myanmar government has made a point of tailoring its digital strategy to achieve its goals on economic inclusion. With this in mind, the Telecommunications Law of 2013 gave the Ministry of Transport and Communications (MoTC) the ability to establish a Universal Service Fund (USF) with the ultimate goal of ensuring universal mobile coverage. In…
Blockchain – the distributed-ledger technology that underpins cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin – appears set to transform a wide variety of industries and perhaps fundamentally change the way business is conducted across the global economy. While the technology is still taking off, and not everyone is convinced about its potential, many emerging markets are hoping that it will allow them to leapfrog…
A new wave of digital innovation is reshaping Myanmar’s economy, as a remodelled national strategy and increased competition enhance the performance of the ICT sector. Prior to the liberalisation of Myanmar’s telecommunications industry, SIM cards and mobile phones were a luxury only the wealthy could afford, but they are now becoming much more widespread, although there is still progress to be…
