Yatanarpon Cyber City (Burmese: ရတနာပုံ နည်းပညာ မြို့သစ် [jədənàbòʊɰ̃ nípjɪ̀ɰ̃ɲà mjo̰ðɪʔ]) is the largest information technology center in Myanmar. The 4050-hectare (10,000-acre) ICT park is located near Pyinoolwin, about 67 km east of Mandalay.[1] Partly operational since December 2007, tenants in the park reportedly include over 30 local and foreign investors, mostly from Asia.
History
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When the ICT park was established in June 2006,[2] the master plan called for simultaneously developing nine "zones"—the teleport building; seven single-story “incubation units”; local and international software zones; a park and convention center zone; a commercial and services zone; a research and development zone; a training centre; and a residential area.[3] To encourage private housing, the government has offered land lease grants for 30 years, not for resale or transfer within the first ten years.[4]
In June 2008, the military government announced that twelve local and foreign information technology companies had been given permission to invest in the center. The Burmese companies included the semi-government-owned Myanmar Teleport and eight privately-owned companies, including FISCA Enterprise, MCC and Fortune International, Htoo Trading, Myanmar World Distribution, Nibban, Tamoenyel Chantha Tun Wai Tha, Yatanarpon Cyber Corporation, Jadeland Myanmar, High-Tech Princess, and Myanmar Info-Tech. Foreign investors reportedly included: Shin Satellite from Thailand; ZTE and Alcatel Shanghai Bell of China; IP Tel Sdn Bhd of Malaysia; and CBOSS of Russia. The 12 companies agreed to invest a total of US $22 million in the Yatanarpon site.[2]
By December 2008, the Burmese government had allotted 150 hectares to 35 local and foreign IT companies.[5]
References
edit- ^ Shah Paung (2007-12-21). "Burma's Largest IT Center Opens—But For How Long?". The Irrawaddy.
- ^ a b Min Lwin (2008-07-29). "Junta Approves Investment in Cyber City". The Irrawaddy.
- ^ Htar Htar Khin (November 12–18, 2007). "Cyber city's centrepiece nears completion". The Myanmar Times.
- ^ "Housing Project to Be Implemented in Myanmar Cyber City". Xinhua News. 2009-03-04. Archived from the original on January 15, 2013.
- ^ Feng Yingqiu (2008-12-16). "ICT exhibitions mark Myanmar rapid development in advanced technology". China View. Xinhua News. Archived from the original on January 11, 2009.