The CEO of Ooredoo’s Myanmar operation is to step down and will be replaced by Mr Rene Meza (pictured), currently managing director of Vodacom Tanzania.

No date has been given for the departure of Ross Cormack, with a statement noting only that he will leave “later this year” and “there will be a hand over period to ensure a smooth transition in leadership.”

Cormack joined Ooredoo in 2003 to lead its mobile business in Qatar and in 2005 became CEO of Ooredoo Oman.

Dr. Nasser Marafih, Ooredoo Group CEO, paid tribute to Cormack’s efforts in Myanmar, where the operator launched services in August 2014: “In just under two years, he has led the creation of the new Ooredoo operation in Myanmar, one of the world’s fastest changing economies, which will be a significant growth opportunity for the group.”

However, last week Ooredoo reported a QAR154 million ($42 million) loss in Myanmar, reflecting continued rollout in the operator’s newest market. It claimed 3.3 million customers in Myanmar by the end of March. This figure is only half that achieved by rival Telenor, which also launched services last year and boasts more than 6 million customers.

Marafih hinted that change is now needed at the Myanmar operation: “Rene Meza has considerable experience in leading the growth of telecoms businesses in emerging markets and we believe he has all the qualities to take Ooredoo Myanmar to the next level as we continue to roll-out Myanmar’s first 3G-only mobile network.”