On 31 July 2017, Ambassador Jukr Boon-Long delivered the opening remarks at the Thai Business Association of Myanmar (TBAM)’s 8^th Morning Talk on “Driving Internet & e-Commerce Opportunities” at the Royal Thai Embassy in Yangon. Guest speakers included Mr. Passakorn Hongsyok, General Manager of Myanmar Information Highway, who gave a presentation on “Internet Infrastructure,” Mr. Sumit Jasoria, Managing Director of shop.com Myanmar, who talked about “E-Commerce in Myanmar,” and Ms. Siriporn Nimtiparat, Managing Director of True Money Myanmar, who presented on “Payment Platform and Solutions.” The Morning Talk was attended by 50 TBAM members.

                   In his opening remarks, Ambassador encouraged Thai internet companies to support and expand Myanmar people’s access to the internet, in order to facilitate their livelihood in the modern world. On the Embassy’s part, the Embassy has recently launched a Facebook page in July 2017, as a channel to communicate with the wider public. Ambassador highlighted opportunities to promote Thai products online, for example, via the website shop.com Myanmar, and notes that Thai companies have the potential to sell products in many categories. This includes clothing, health and beauty products, as well as household appliances. In addition to the budding e-commerce industry, Ambassador also noted the growth in mobile financial services, which makes investment in innovative financial technology another interesting sector to improve the quality of life for Myanmar people.

                   Guest speakers gave importance to domestic internet infrastructure as a means to raise potential in the international market, and the need to be aware of domestic procedures on internet licenses, permit to use internet poles, and other factors, such as electrical stability, laws, regulations, and tax on e-commerce. They acknowledged the growth of e-commerce in Myanmar, which now has its first online shopping platform shop.com. Shop.com has high potential, with its own delivery system, a proactive marketing strategy, refusal to work with sellers who sell counterfeit products, and aim to build trust on product quality and payments. The website is willing to work with Thai companies to sell Thai products online, at a time when digital payments are becoming more accessible. For example, True Money Myanmar has now entered the Myanmar market on digital payments, and has 10,000 representatives nationwide.

                   The Royal Thai Embassy has continuously supported activities to promote Thai businessmen’s understanding on Myanmar’s business environment, to strengthen the close economic relations between Thailand and Myanmar for the overall benefit of both countries. 

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