Besides Phandeeyar, the eBay founder's "philanthropic investment firm" has given grants to the Open Myanmar Initiative for election monitoring activities, Yangon Journalism Institute and Myitmaklia News Agency. It also supported a Global Witness report on labour conditions in Myanmar jade mines.
* Myanmar: 45 Million Mobile Phones and the $19 3G Smartphone—Forbes
More than half of those 27 million-plus smartphone owners in Myanmar are regular data users, who check into Facebook daily and the Viber messaging and VOIP app almost as frequently. How can so many people afford phones when the average wage is $3 a day?
* Malaysia’s Richest 2018: Anthony Tan’s Grab Hits $6B Valuation As Ride-Hailing Race Quickens—Forbes Asia
What's more, Tan has taken Singaporean citizenship, according to a Grab filing with the Singapore government last year ... Grab's holding company lost $82.8 million in 2016, more than triple its losses in 2015, ... Grab faces strikes and protests by drivers, lawsuits in Vietnam and Myanmar, and governments still debating how best to license and tax ride-hailing companies.
* Despite Political Thaw, Myanmar Refugees in Thailand Reluctant to Return Home—Mizzima
Meanwhile, in the past decade the consortium's annual budget has shrunk by half—to US $17.5 million—even while resident numbers declined by only 30 percent during the same period. Much of that drop is due to resettlements in third countries, such as the United States and Australia, but those left behind can no longer apply for such status.
* Pete Bodharamik Goes Big on Broadband—Forbes Asia
In the race to wire all these homes Jasmine is mostly vying with True, backed by the deep pockets of Thailand’s richest clan, the Chearavanont family.
