stakeholder way is something that would have been unprecedented even a few years ago. C. Sector-Wide Impacts Economic Impacts In the 2014-2015 fiscal year, foreign investment in the telecommunications sector in Myanmar has been estimated to contribute over $2 billion of $8.1 billion in total foreign direct investment (FDI). 136 In terms of total FDI, the Myanmar Directorate of Investment and Company Administration (DICA) ranks ‘Transport and Communication’ fourth behind oil and gas, power, and manufacturing. 137 A robust ICT sector can be economically transformative, reshaping existing industries through increased efficiency and productivity, facilitating cross-sector growth, and raising GDP per capita. The World Bank has estimated that in developing countries, a 10% increase in tele-density (defined as the number of telephone connections per 100 people) correlates with a 0.8% increase in GDP per capita, while a 10% increase in Internet penetration (Internet connections per 100 people) and broadband penetration (broadband connections 138 per 100 people) result in 1.12% and 1.38% increases in GDP per capita respectively. 139 It has been estimated that by 2030 the ICT sector could contribute $6.4 billion to Myanmar’s GDP and employ approximately 240,000 people. 140 It will be important however, for the Government and companies investing to consider what is appropriate technology for the country. Some types of ICT are more appropriate to the Myanmar context now and in the near future and therefore represent higher priorities, while other technologies may represent high costs, with low benefits, given its state of development. Impacts on Agricultural Productivity ICTs can improve the availability and sharing of market information (pricing and demand), via SMS text messaging or voice calls. The agricultural value-chain in Myanmar is comprised of farmers, fisherman, input suppliers (seeds, fertiliser, pesticide, etc.), processors, brokers, direct buyers, and transport/logistics providers. While specific studies on the economic impacts of ICTs on Myanmar’s agricultural sector are lacking, the World Bank notes that in other regional markets the effect of increased market information from ICTs on farmer income and prices is generally positive, while traders leveraging ICTs can 136 Deal Street Asia, “Myanmar 2014-15 FDI Swells to 8.1b: Govt Agency” (April 2015). See DICA’s “Foreign Investment by Sector (April)” (last accessed August 2015). 138 The World Bank defines broadband as high-speed access to the public Internet (a TCP/IP connection), at downstream speeds equal to, or greater than, 256 kbit/s. This includes cable modem, DSL, fiber-to-thehome/building and other fixed (wired)-broadband subscriptions. 139 Christine Zhen-Wei Qiang, “Mobile Telephony: A Transformational Tool for Growth and Development”, (4 May 2015). 140 McKinsey Global Institute, “Myanmar’s Moment: Unique Opportunities, Major Challenges” (Jun 2013),p43. 137 CHAPTER 3: SECTOR-LEVEL IMPACTS 97 3