e-DIRAP Interview with Thein Oo, Myanmar on 17 July 2013

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e-DIRAP Interview - Country Focus: Myanmar
Thein Oo
Patron, Myanmar Computer Federation
Chairman, Myanmar ICT Development Cooperation
Chairman, Steering Committee for Yangon and Mandalay Computer Universities

View the full written summary of the interview at https://digital-review.org /resources/e-dirap-interview-country-focus-myanmar

EXTRACT FROM SUMMARY

The world is watching the rapid changes in Myanmar. Media coverage and reports have called Myanmar, Asia's last untapped market, fastest digital revolution, unpolished gem, and ICT dam ready to burst. Mr Thein Oo in the interview provides his insights on the legal and policy framework for building the ICT infrastructure and for promoting ICT for social and economic development, updates us on Myanmar's e-government initiatives, and discusses ICT capacity building and education.

1. Legal and policy framework for building the ICT infrastructure and ICT4D
In June 2013, Norway's Telnor and Qatar's Ooredoo were the first two international companies to be awarded telecommunication licenses to provide mobile infrastructure and services in Myanmar. A back-up candidate is France's Orange. This is a result of Myanmar's reform and development of a telecommunication law that intends to liberalize the communications networks, provide citizens with affordable mobile and Internet access, and motivate international investment. Telnor and Ooredoo will only be operational after the passing of the telecommunication law.

The state-owned Myanmar Posts and Telecommunications (MPT) has been the sole provider of telecommunication services. MPT and Yatanarpon Teleport are the Internet service providers in Myanmar. Yatanarporn Teleport is not an official operator but MPT has outsourced its work to the company. The Government of Myanmar is planning to privatize MPT.

Myanmar is also drafting its ICT policy. The government has set a target to achieve 75-80 per cent of teledensity by 2015.

In addition to the drafting of the Telecommunication Law and ICT policy, there are plans to amend the Electronic Transaction Law of 2004 so that ICTs can be used more freely for social and economic development. An e-commerce law is being prepared, and there are many other laws related to ICT for development being drafted, such as copyright law, patent law, and so on set to improve the ICT infrastructure and increase freedom of information.

Myanmar is currently focusing on the supply side of ICT in providing an ICT infrastructure. At the same time, there is a growing awareness among political leaders that ICTs are critical tools for social and economic development and there is a strong commitment to implement e-government, e-commerce and e-education. What the Government of Myanmar also needs to consider is the demand side to raise awareness and develop the ICT capacity of employees, students and users in general.

2. e-Government
In 2011, the second ICT masterplan of 2011-2015 was drawn up. Within this masterplan is the e-government masterplan. However, implementation has been weak. Senior government officials met in June 2013 to set up a programme for social development and they have placed e-government as an agenda.

Myanmar is part of the ASEAN Single Window initiative that connects and integrates National Single Windows of Member States to expedite cargo clearance. This includes development of an e-customs system to exchange data securely and reliable with trading partners, and allow simpler and faster processing time for custom clearance and taxation.

All government agencies now have a website but they remain static. Government agencies are not continuously updating their website and the information is organization-centric (about the organization) rather than citizen-centric (targeted at the needs of citizens and businesses).

Local governments have started to promote e-government in their region. For example, the Yangon division is computerizing their operations and has developed an e-Yangon Project.

3. Challenges and the way forward
Myanmar will develop exponentially in all aspects. The focus has been on establishing political stability and ensuring that the legislative, executive and judicial branches of government are in place. Progress has also been made in advancing press freedom. Now the focus has shifted to promoting the economic and social development of Myanmar.

Although substantial progress has been made in promoting democracy, governance systems and plans are not yet fully in place. Capacity needs to be built to implement these systems and plans. Challenges related to corruption in Myanmar are serious, and a lot of work still needs to be done in promoting transparency, fair competition in procurement and inclusiveness.

e-DIRAP Team:
Christine Apikul and
Suchit Nanda https://www.suchit.net/