Cisco to set up tech training centers in Myanmar

YANGON, Myanmar— Cisco Systems plans to establish two network training centers in Myanmar, as global technology companies begin to move into one of the least-connected places on Earth.

Thursday’s announcement comes on the heels of a USAID-sponsored delegation of executives from Cisco, Google, HP, Intel and Microsoft to the fast-opening country.

Just 7 percent of Myanmar citizens have Internet access, and levels of cellphone use are lower than in North Korea. The government has made telecom reform a priority.

The USAID technology delegation was geared toward education, but is also a first step toward business engagement.

USAID resumed work in Myanmar in November. Since then, it has committed $171 million to health, food security, democracy, human rights and rule of law programs.