Singapore Myanmar Investco (SMI) will launch Japanese ramen restaurant chain Ippudo in Myanmar early next year.

Brand owner Chikaranomoto Holdings will provide training programs for SMI to set up and run the Myanmar restaurants.

“We see abundant growth opportunities within the F&B retail market in Myanmar, and the time is ripe for us to introduce the Ippudo brand and cuisine to the growing middle class,” says SMI president/CEO Mark Bedingham.

SMI, which is involved in consumer products and services in Myanmar, is looking to invest in retail and F&B over the next three years. It has also signed a franchise agreement with restaurant group Crystal Jade and The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf.