Singapore, 19 November 2014- Sphere Conferences, the conference arm of Singapore Press Holdings Limited (SPH), signed an exclusive memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Department of Civil Aviation Myanmar and announced that the 2nd annual Myanmar Civil Aviation Development Conference (MCADC) will take place from 23 to 26 March 2015 in Yangon. This is Myanmar’s only aviation conference which is hosted by the Department of Civil Aviation, Myanmar and supported by Ministry of Transport, Myanmar.

MCADC is the dedicated platform for discussions and debates on the opportunities and growth plans for Myanmar’s aviation industry. The first ever MCADC welcomed almost 450 attendees when the event took place in Sule Shangri-La, Yangon in March 2014. Following on from this year’s highly successful gathering of airport operators, regulators, senior airlines executives and key aviation stakeholders, next year will continue to be the biggest and best aviation conference in Myanmar to date.

U Win Swe Tun, Director General, Department of Civil Aviation, Myanmar, said: “MCADC is a must-attend event for all aviation based companies that are interested to learn about the opportunities and potential of the Myanmar’s aviation market. With the goal of becoming Southeast Asia’s major logistics aviation hub, Myanmar is moving forward to liberalise regulation of the aviation sector, increase local airlines’ competitiveness as well as connect Myanmar directly with more countries outside of Southeast Asia. We look forward to another great event for key industry players to create new partnerships and exchange insights that will shape the future of Myanmar’s aviation industry.”

Mr Chua Wee Phong, Chairman, Sphere Conferences, said: “2015 is going to be a significant year for Myanmar’s aviation industry. The ASEAN single aviation market (ASAM) will be implemented alongside the establishment of the ASEAN economic community in 2015, boosting the region’s air transport sector, and ultimately augmenting Myanmar’s already fast growing tourism sector. Sphere Conferences, together with the Ministry of Transport and the Department of Civil Aviation, is proud to be facilitating these important discussions through MCADC 2015, for the ASEAN aviation leaders.”

Pioneer Aerodrome Services, the airport operator for Yangon and Nay Pyi Taw airports of Myanmar, was selected for the upgrade of Yangon International Airport.

Sulaiman Zainul Abidin, Chief Operating Officer of Pioneer Aerodrome Service, said: “With the urgent need to cope with the expected influx of visitors over the coming years, Myanmar has made conscious efforts to expand airport capacity and upgrade current infrastructure such as the development project at Yangon International Airport, which continues to receive the lion’s share of foreign tourists. Myanmar’s third international airport, Nay Pyi Taw International Airport, has seen increasing number of foreign arrivals since last year. MCADC 2015 will provide an excellent opportunity to showcase Nay Pyi Taw International Airport through the full day site tour.”

As part of the strategies for Myanmar to grow as an aviation hub, Myanmar Airways International (MAI) has established new air links to international destinations.

U Si Thu, Managing Director, MAI, said: “It is important to recognise that after Myanmar opened its door to investors, the demand for business travel has tripled.

Expanding the routes to international destinations will propel regional connectivity as well as meeting the demand for more air travel. MAI is committed in its initiative towards enhancing air connectivity and connect Myanmar to the world. I am confident that MCADC 2015 will continue to offer opportunities not only for MAI, but also for all our airlines and aviation industry to enhance our global alliances and cooperation with international stakeholders.”

For more information about the event, visit www.mcadc.sphereconferences.com.