an online banking service (app or desktop based), a user would need to be a bank customer with a checking or savings account. In contrast to online banking, mobile money (or mobile payments) services are targeted towards unbanked users. Two thirds of Myanmar’s population live in rural areas. A recent report on financial inclusion by Proximity Designs noted long physical distances from a village to the bank and limited business hours deter potential customers who already perceive setting up a formal bank account as a complicated, time intensive process. 158 Mobile money services attempt to address these issues through a simplified new customer registration process and a network of agents located throughout the country providing cash in and cash out services. After adding money to their account, a user is able to send money to other users, or pay for goods such as mobile top up. For money transfers, mobile money can increase convenience as well as enhance transparency, eliminating transport costs and creating a digital record of transactions visible on both sides of the transaction. In December 2013, the Central Bank of Myanmar issued the “Mobile Banking Directive” allowing banks to offer mobile money services. 159 The Central Bank of Myanmar is reportedly in the process of drafting mobile money regulations that would allow entities outside of financial institutions – such as mobile network operators – the ability to provide mobile money services. Telenor has announced plans to partner with Yoma Bank to offer mobile money services, pending the necessary regulatory frameworks for non-bank-led mobile payments. 160 While Ooredoo has not announced specific mobile money plans for Myanmar, Ooredoo is a member of the GSMA’s Mobile Money Interoperability (MMI) Programme. MPT and MECtel have partnered with Myanmar Mobile Money. In addition to targeting domestic payments, some operators have expressed interest in also targeting international remittances from sent from Myanmar to migrant workers in Thailand and Malaysia. 161 Governance impacts This section examines the ICT sector’s contribution to improved governance in Myanmar through its ability to enable inclusive engagement between citizens and Government, increased transparency, accessibility of information, and citizen participation. Positive governance impacts can occur through e-Government programs, commitment to open governance, and civic technology (see Table 29). 158 See Proximity Designs, “Afford Two, Eat One: Financial Inclusion in Rural Myanmar” (2014), pg 83. Edwin Vanderbruggen and Altas Dharamsi, “Easy Money? Mobile Banking, Mobile Money, and Myanmar’s Financial Regulation” (May 2014). 160 Jeremy Mullins, “Stay Tuned for Mobile Banking Services from Yoma and Telenor say CEOs”, Myanmar Times (November 2014). 161 On 21st May 2015, Telenor Myanmar held Sustainability briefing in Yangon. During the Q&A portion of this session, an audience member asked about Telenor’s mobile money plans. Telenor Myanmar explained that pending needed regulation, Telenor Myanmar would partner with Yoma Bank. Longer term, Telenor Myanmar indicated they are hoping to partner with Telenor Thailand (DTAC) or Telenor Thailand (DiGi) to pursue international remittances through mobile money. 159 CHAPTER 3: SECTOR-LEVEL IMPACTS 101 3