The elected government of President Thein Sein has introduced a raft of political and economic reforms to jumpstart the country’s development after almost five decades of repressive military rule that left Myanmar one of the poorest nations in Asia. The state-run New Light of Myanmar newspaper said two companies will be awarded telecommunications licenses, and expressions of interest should be submitted no later than Jan.
It also announced that the religious affairs minister had departed, also with no reason reported. State television also announced Wednesday that the minister for communications, posts and telegraphs, Thein Tun, had resigned, but it was unclear whether it was related to the liberalization policy. Myanmar’s government has taken a fresh step toward liberalizing its state-dominated telecommunications sector by publishing a notice Wednesday inviting investment proposals from local and foreign companies for nationwide telecommunications services, including telephone and Internet connectivity.
