June 13, 2020
The ASEAN – China Year of Digital Economy Cooperation was launched with virtual opening ceremony yesterday.
Union Minister for Transport and Communications U Thant Sin Maung and representatives of ASEAN member countries joined the ceremony.
The event was held under the title of ‘Combatting COVID-19 through Joint Efforts, Embracing Cooperation through ICT and Digital Development’, where the ministers discussed development in digital transformation in their countries, digital economy and possible support from the digital sector amid COVID-19.
The leaders of ASEAN and China agreed to set 2020 as the ASEAN-China Year of Digital Economy Cooperation at the 22nd ASEAN-China Leaders’ Meeting in Bangkok, Thailand, in November 2019.
After reading the messages from Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and Vietnamese PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc, the Chairperson of ASEAN Digital Ministers Meeting (ADGMIN) and Minister of Post and Telecommunications from Lao PDR Mr Thansamay Kommasith delivered an opening remark.
During the discussions, Union Minister U Thant Sin Maung talked about the initiation of Myanmar’s economic reform in 2013, including telecom sector as it is crucial for socioeconomic development of the country.
He also explained Myanmar government’s digital transformation with forming the Digital Economic Development Committee for drafting the strategic plan of Myanmar digital economic development.
The Union Minister talked about the effective use of ICT for work from home, videoconference and online shopping as a new normal trend amid COVID-19 pandemic, and sharing disease related information through digital application.—MNA (Translated by Aung Khin)
