Accomplishments and Key Roles in Policymaking
Development of Thilawa Special Economic Zone (SEZ)
As Chairmpeson from its inception, Dr. Winston Set Aung led the development and operationalization of the Thilawa SEZ in close collaboraion with Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), the Japan Internnational Cooperation Agency (JICA), and major Japanese corporation including Sumitomo Corporation, Mitsubishi Corporation, and Marubeni Corporation. The Thilawa SEZ has since become the most successful and model SEZ in Myanmar.
Banking Sector Liberalization
As Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Myanmar, Dr. Set Aung played a central role in initiating the liberalization of the banking sector, including the historic entry of 13 foreign bank branches - the first opening of Myanmar's banking sector to foreign banks in nearly six decades.
Telecommunications Sector Reform
As Chair of the Inter-ministerial Procurement Committee and Deputy Minister of National Planning and Economic Development, he led Myanmar's first international-standard competitive tender process in the telecommunications sector, successfully selecting two foreign operators - Telenor (Norway) and Ooredoo (Qatar) - from over 90 international applicants.
Modernization of the Financial System (CBM-NET)
As Project Director and Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Myanmar, he spearheaded the development of the country's first real-time electronic settlement system (CBM-NET), in collaboration with JICA. The system introduced key financial infrastructure, including a Real-Time Gross Settlement (RTGS) syste, mechanized cheque clearing, and an electronic accounting system.
Introduction of Strategic National Development Planning
Under the NLD government, as Deputy Minister of Planning and Finance, Dr. Set Aung led the formulation of Myanmar's first strategic, results-based national development framework - the Myanmar Sustainable Development Plan (MSDP) - apply the SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound) apprach and replacing traditional sectoral planning. He subsequently led the development of major national response frameworks, including the Covid-19 Economic Relief Plan (CERP) and the Myanmar Economic Recovery and Resilience Plan (MERRP).
Structural and Institutional Reforms
Across both USDP and NLD administrations, Dr. Set Aung was a key reform architect behind major policy initiatives, including corporatization and equitization of state-owned enterprises, the development of public-private partnership (PPP) frameworks, and the establishment of national-level systems such as the Project Bank (a centralized pipeline of investment-ready projects) and the Land Bank (a national database of state-owned land and assets).
Development Assistance Coordination and Policy
As Secretary of the Development Assistance Coordination Unit (DACU), chaired by the State Counsellor Daaw Aung San Suu Kyi, he played a central role in formulating Myanmar's National Development Assistance Polic (DAP), strengthening coordination and effectiveness of international development cooperation.