Daiwa Institute of Research, Fujitsu, and KDDI Build Myanmar’s First Cloud-Computing Environment

Deployed to the Central Bank of Myanmar, cloud-enhanced operating efficiency will contribute to development of the nation’s financial markets


Daiwa Institute of Research Ltd. (DIR), Fujitsu Limited, and KDDI Corporation today announced that they have collaborated to build the Republic of the Union of Myanmar’s first cloud computing environment. Built for the Central Bank of Myanmar, the new cloud environment is designed to improve efficiency in the bank’s operations. It consists of a private cloud platform designed, constructed, and operated in compliance with the Alliance Cloud, a standardized cloud model certified by the DIR-led Global Alliance for User-driven Cloud Computing, as well as a desktop service that features security countermeasures.

In advance of the fast-approaching economic integration of ASEAN nations scheduled for 2015, Myanmar, now rapidly implementing democratic reforms, has been actively seeking to modernize its financial sector by relaxing financial regulations, making preparations to establish a stock exchange [1] and taking other initiatives. Under these circumstances, operating stability at the Central Bank of Myanmar is ever-more crucial to the country’s financial system given its pivotal role in issuing and managing currency and implementing monetary policy.

Up until now, many aspects of the Central Bank of Myanmar’s complex operations were being performed by hand. With the volume of the bank’s work expected to rapidly increase in line with the country’s economic development, handling a higher volume of paperwork was considered a potential problem. In addition to significantly improving the bank’s operational efficiency, the new computing environment incorporates high-grade security levels required by government financial institutions, and allows for the quick and stable implementation of monetary policy measures by the central bank, thereby supporting the sustainable growth of Myanmar’s economy.

In introducing the new computing environment, DIR was in charge of designing and building the cloud platform and terminal environment. Fujitsu was responsible for providing hardware equipment, such as servers and computer terminals as well as building and delivering palm vein authentication systems. KDDI was responsible for designing and building the bank’s local area network. Going forward, the three companies intend to use Japanese-level quality, highly reliable solutions to promote the adoption of ICT within Myanmar’s finance industry as well as among a variety of other companies, thereby contributing to the further development of Myanmar’s economy.

Comment by Takashi Fukai, President, Daiwa Institute of Research Ltd.

For many years, DIR has been providing support for the cultivation of Myanmar’s financial markets. In May of this year, DIR and Tokyo Stock Exchange Group, Inc. concluded a memorandum of understanding with the Central Bank of Myanmar to collaborate on the establishment of a securities exchange. This new computing environment paves the way to build an ICT infrastructure that is indispensable for the modernization of Myanmar’s financial system and represents an important milestone toward the establishment of a stock exchange. We are honored that this important computing environment employs our cloud platform and uses our desktop services. As we move ahead, DIR would like to leverage its diverse expertise, such as its experience as a think tank in developing financial markets and building systems. We will also be making a significant contribution to the development of Myanmar’s financial markets using the securities business know-how of the Daiwa Securities Group.

Comment by Masami Yamamoto, President, Fujitsu Limited

Fujitsu is honored to participate in this project to build an ICT environment for Myanmar’s financial markets, which will be undergoing rapid modernization. Even prior to this project, Fujitsu has built cloud platforms that comply with the Alliance Cloud standards, making an array of proposals that leverage our cloud capabilities. We aim to utilize this expertise to support the development of Japanese-level quality cloud-based ICT resources in Myanmar and other Asian countries to contribute to the sustainable development of society.

Comment by Takashi Tanaka, President, KDDI Corporation

For over 51 years, KDDI has had local subsidiaries in Southeast Asia and provided solutions to support both the local companies based in the region as well as the local subsidiaries of Japanese businesses. We want to use that wealth of experience and expertise to help build the office networks of companies establishing operations in Myanmar. We will also use the KDDI Group’s ICT business experience in Southeast Asia to contribute to the development of Myanmar while delivering services that are equivalent in quality to the services we provide in Japan.

[1] On May 29, 2012, DIR, Tokyo Stock Exchange Group, Inc., and the Central Bank of Myanmar concluded a memorandum of understanding pertaining to cooperation toward establishing a stock exchange in Myanmar.

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