Social communication app WeChat, developed by Chinese firm Tencent, is now available in Myanmar language, the company said.
Myanmar WeChat users will now be able to choose to communicate with friends and family through voice, group or video chat, while the firm said it will work with artists to create Myanmar stickers to offer a “local way of messaging.”
Since its launch in 2011, WeChat has grown rapidly. WeChat combined with its sister product Weixin in China had 549 million monthly active users by end of first quarter this year.
“WeChat has witnessed remarkable growth since we launched in 2011, especially among youth,” said Oliver Ye, country manager of WeChat Myanmar.
A recent study by GlobalWebIndex, a market research company specialising in online consumer behaviour, found that WeChat now has the youngest demographic out of all competing social communications apps. A third of its global active user base is 16–24 years old.
“We’re excited to bring our efficient and entertaining platform to this market where we predict continued growth. We want to offer people in Myanmar a new way to communicate…,” Ye said.
WeChat said brands and consumers will soon also be able to connect through WeChat Official Account, which can be subscribed by WeChat users and can broadcast text, voice, pictures and links through a chat window.