Nay Pyi Taw February 27
Digital Myanmar Forum and Exhibition was held at Yatanarpon Teleport in Yatanarpon New City project, PyinOo- Lwin this afternoon, attended by Acting President of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar Chairman of the State Security and Peace Commission Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, who also opened the seminar and delivered an address.
Also present were SSPC Secretary General Ye Win Oo, union ministers, U Mya Tun Oo, Dr Charlie Than, U Myo Thant, Mandalay Region Chief Minister U Myo Aung, senior military officers from the Office of the Commander-in-Chief, the Central Command commander, deputy ministers, members of Mandalay Region government, invited guests, officials from internal and external technology companies, and students from technological universities and computer science universities.
First, the Senior General and party were warmly welcomed by students and officials.
Then, SSPC Secretary General Ye Win Oo, Union Minister for Transport and Communications U Mya Tun Oo,Union Minister for Industry Dr Charlie Than, Union Minister for Construction U Myo Thant and Mandalay Region Chief Minister U Myo Aung formally opened the forum.
Afterward, Acting President of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar Chairman of the State Security and Peace Commission Senior General Min Aung Hlaing formally unveiled the signboard of the forum and exhibition by pushing a button.
In his address, the Senior General said today, digital transformation is gaining development with greater momentum. The aims of the seminar are: acceleration of digital transformation in the public service sector including the government administrative machinery, enhancing cyber technological knowledge, promotion of digital competitiveness of businesses, establishment of links between technicians and businesses and a technological ecosystem.
Yatanarpon New City is renowned as Yatanarpon Cyber City and Myanmar’s Silicon Valley. It was built in June 2006 as the first ever and largest ICT hub in Myanmar, and was commissioned on 14 December 2007. It was set up with three goals: ICT sector development in Myanmar, invitation of investments from international technological companies and generation of job opportunities, and setting up as a hub where Myanmar technologists can conduct research and innovations.
Yatanarpon Teleport erected Myanmar’s main internet and communi-cation service center in Yatanarpon New City. Plans were made to include offices for IT business startups and software development companies, incubation centers and technological universities and training schools that are education zones. The center will also host an environmentally friendly Soft-Base Factory Zone as a High-Tech Zone where technology-related goods will be manufactured.
Yatanarpon New City will have to set up and upgrade digital infrastructure and fulfil the requirements, adopt necessary laws and procedures to attract investment, while placing sustainable development is its main goal.
Because of its location between Mandalay’s tropical climate and PyinOoLwin’s cold climate, Yatanarpon New City has an appropriate environ-ment for IT businesses. It will become a perfect place because of its location near Mandalay, an economic hub and PyinOoLwin, a recreation capital city, good accessibility and a temperate climate. So, its location has excellent foundations, and its advantage is that it can nurture human resources from the Technological University (Yatanarpon Cyber City) in the vicinity, and the Technological University and Computer Science University in the neighborhood of Mandalay by using and testing them as internships. It must also realize the Inclusive Digital Community, Trusted Digital Ecosystem, Innovative Digital Economy, Future Ready Workforce, and Sustainable Digital Transformation which are included in the ASEAN Digital Master Plan.
In doing so, a user-trusted environment must be set up by offering internet links at fair prices reachable by every person from both the rural and the urban, easily digital accessibility for all including women, youths, elders and persons with disabilities, collective defence against cyber attacks in the region by upgrading cyber security.
Its other tasks include facilitation of cross-border trade between ASEAN member states through digital system, effective use of artificial intelligence (AI), establishment of safe cyber networks, promotion of digital knowledge and skill of the workers in the region, generation of technological experts and extension of the use of occupational technology, use of digital tech for environmental conservation and over-coming challenges of climate change.
Due to the high-pace advancement of AI in 2026, ASEAN countries are prioritizing re-sponsible AI. They are coordinating the AI ethical guide-lines for safe AI usage. Online frauds increase alongside the development in digital systems, and ASEAN countries are now aiming at further strengthening the information sharing network among them.
It is a pleasure and honour to witness the innovations of youths and new and more advanced technologies of local and foreign countries at a single place and to have the opportunity to attend the forum.
He stated that he believes this technology exchange and exhibition will enable the creation of internationally competitive software, hardware, and innovative solutions, and he hopes that the student projects showcased at this event will serve as the foundation for the future develop-ment of the country’s digital economy.
He stated that this event includes not only a technology exhibition but also seminar discussions where experts will exchange knowledge on topics such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, financial technology, digital infrastructure, and innovation, and he hopes that attendees will gain new experiences that can be applied to their professional and educational fields.
Furthermore, he stated that this seminar will create new opportunities among tech entrepreneurs, experts, and student enthusiasts, while also recognizing and promoting domestic technological innovations and providing oppor-tunities for the local production of electronic and ICT equipment.
Also, he stated that he believes this technology exhibition and seminar will produce beneficial results for the development of the national IT sector, prioritize cyber technology operations in the Yata-narpon Cyber City project, and advance artificial intelligence and satellite technologies. He also expressed hope that the event will help esta- blish a roadmap and strategy to facilitate the primary production of electronic goods within the Yatanarpon Cyber City area and enhance human resource development by connecting with technological universities.
Later, he stated that it is necessary to conduct practical analyses to ensure the sustainable implementation of such strategic planning and operations, emphasizing the need for comprehensive projects that address all aspects to avoid weaknesses while remaining accurate and complete. He stressed the importance of developing project processes that provide long-term benefits for the state and its citizens and are capable of penetrating international markets, while also noting that potential threats and negative consequences accompanying new technological developments—such as security breaches, impacts on national culture and morality, ethical concerns, and personal data security—must be taken into consideration.
He also stated that the digital and cyber realms are difficult to define by physical boundaries, and the globally debated concept of cyberspace sovereignty must be taken into consideration.
He noted that the advancement of artificial intelligence brings top-tier challenges, ranging from violations of organizational and personal freedoms to biases that can threaten national security, and observed that countries worldwide are enacting technical laws and procedures to keep pace with these advancements. Consequently, he urged that it is essential for the country to develop and implement the necessary policies, laws, and procedures in balance with technological progress to effectively regulate and manage these technical challenges.
He stated that in line with the saying “technology shapes the future,” the technical knowledge and experiences gained from this event will serve as a driving force for national development, and he expressed his belief and hope that the seminar and exhibition will produce beneficial analytical insights and positive outcomes for the country.
Afterward, the Senior General and attendees viewed a documentary video of the Digital Myanmar Forum and Exhibition. Then, Union Minister for Transport and Communications U Mya Tun Oo presented a commemorative gift to Senior General Min Aung Hlaing.
The Senior General and participants then took a documentary group photo.
Afterward, the Senior General, along with members, toured the individual booths at the exhibition with interest, where the Senior General inquired about the presentations made by officials and provided necessary guidance.
The Digital Myanmar Forum and Exhibition, held under the theme “Digital Myanmar: Shaping Myanmar’s Digital Future in the Age of AI,” will continue until the 28th and features booths from various ministries as well as local and international technology companies.
Afterward, the Senior General and members inspected the Yatanarpon Cyber City project area by vehicle, where he provided necessary guidance based on reports presented by officials.
