Final Report Chapter 11 Conclusions and Recommendations convenient. Rural areas will also be developed further when the networks are expanded into those rural areas. In Myanmar in particular, it is expected that better distribution of information will accelerate the democratization of the country. 4) Technical factors: The extensive introduction of digital technology into Myanmar is a relatively recent occurrence. As a result, the existing telecommunications networks operated by MPT are often found to be inadequate in both capacity and quality. It is, therefore, essential that this project be used to develop high-capacity, reliable telecommunications networks based on the latest digital technology. Fortunately, Japan has already introduced the world’s highest-level digital technology and is in a position to use the technical expertise, experience and knowledge accumulated through the use of such technology. Myanmar cannot be said to have acquired sufficient knowledge and information regarding digital technology, as economic sanctions have stood in the way of exposure to the latest technology. The introduction of digital technology planned in this project will not only provide a number of opportunities for MPT employees to improve their technical capabilities but is also expected to offer wide-ranging impacts including enhancement of the nation’s IT literacy. 5) Environmental factors: Further development of the information and telecommunications industry will proactively enhance disaster prevention mechanisms in preparation for natural disasters and conservation of the natural environment. Meanwhile, as described in Chapter 9, there are no major works that impede the environmental and social considerations and almost no major negative factors that would prevent this project from being implemented. 6) Legal factors: One of the largest challenges for Myanmar is the enactment of the “Telecommunications Law” (currently being drafted) as a basic law for the implementation of the current policies of the telecommunications sector. If the Law is enacted, it will become a major foundation for the further development of telecommunications in Myanmar. Currently, the draft law is once again under review. The previous draft gave the national government a significant role with greater authority to regulate the free use of telecommunications and to manage related facilities. In the revised draft, the “Telecommunications Law” is basically defined as a law for the development of an environment that enables free operation and competition between the telecommunications services, not one that enhances the national government’s authority to regulate the activities of service providers. The major improvements in the telecommunications sector expected to be achieved by this law have already been defined. The enactment of this law, therefore, is expected to further promote the use of telecommunications networks. (2) Points to note regarding project implementation 11-2