Myanmar, formerly Burma, has immense development potential The Myanmar authorities have recognised that creating a national science and technology capacity is a critical step towards modernising their economy. In spite of recent actions to provide the base for sustainable development, through science and technology development, Myanmar still has a long way to go. To realise the country's potential, constraints on its development must be dealt with adequately. The Myanmar Scientific and Technological Research Department is an important component of the government's strategy to develop a coherent science policy as the basis for technology-led socio-economic development.