Myanmar Digital Economy Roadmap

The Myanmar digital economy roadmap presents a strategic vision to guide the country’s transition toward a modern, innovation-driven, and inclusive digital economy. It is a comprehensive framework developed to align Myanmar’s economic development with global digital standards, fostering technological integration across all societal sectors. This roadmap is essential for creating an environment where digital transformation can thrive, supported by robust infrastructure, policy frameworks, and human capital development.

Policy framework for the digital economy

The roadmap operates under the policy framework established by the Digital Economy Development Committee (DEDC), which was formed in June 2017. This committee, chaired by the Union Minister of Planning and Finance and supported by key ministries such as Education, Commerce, Transport and Communication, and the Central Bank of Myanmar, aims to enable multistakeholder participation.

The purpose of this framework is to unify efforts from public and private sectors, academia, and civil society to ensure a cohesive approach to digital transformation. Its scope extends to revising regulations, fostering partnerships, and deploying innovative strategies that integrate international standards with local needs. The iterative development of the roadmap—three drafts produced between 2017 and 2018—highlights its responsiveness to evolving challenges and opportunities in the global digital economy​.

Structure

• 1 mission
• 4 pillars
• 6+1 strategic framework
• 9 priority sectors
• 14 goals
• 32 short-term action plans
• 16 long-term action plans​

Strategic pillars and key focus areas

• Digital transformation and trade: This pillar focuses on enhancing Myanmar’s e-commerce systems and digital trade frameworks. It prioritises small and medium enterprises (SMEs) by offering tax incentives, access to digital platforms, and financial technology to ensure their competitiveness in global markets. Developing digital trade is seen as a cornerstone for building a thriving modern economy​.
• Digital government: This component emphasises the modernisation of government services through platforms like the Digital Citizen Engagement system. The goal is to improve service delivery, transparency, and citizen participation while ensuring the seamless integration of digital tools into government processes​.
• Digital connectivity: High-capacity internet infrastructure forms the backbone of digital connectivity efforts. Universal service strategies, spectrum management, and IoT integration are key priorities, ensuring that the population has equitable access to reliable digital services​.
• Digital security: The roadmap underscores the importance of cybersecurity, advocating for robust data protection laws and the establishment of a Cyber Security Operation Center to counter digital threats. These efforts are designed to build trust in Myanmar’s emerging digital ecosystem​.
• Digital skills and inclusion: Recognising the importance of human capital, this pillar invests in education through initiatives such as Digital Community Centers and innovation hubs. Vocational training programs are also prioritised to equip the workforce with skills relevant to the digital economy​.
• Digital innovation: By fostering investments, promoting startups, and creating policies for intellectual property rights, this pillar aims to establish Myanmar as a hub of digital creativity and innovation. Open data initiatives and partnerships further support this vision​.

Goals and action plans

• Short-term goals: The immediate objectives include establishing foundational infrastructure, revising legal frameworks, and building initial capacity through broadband expansion and SME digitization.
• Long-term goals: Over time, the focus shifts to achieving broader societal adoption of digital tools, fostering innovation across sectors, and improving Myanmar’s global competitiveness in digital rankings​

Priority sectors

The nine critical sectors identified include education, healthcare, manufacturing, technology startups, agriculture, tourism, logistics, digital trade, and financial services​.

The roadmap provides a structured approach to transitioning Myanmar into a digitally-driven economy, emphasising inclusivity, innovation, and sustainable growth. Let me know if you’d like a specific section expanded or interpreted.