Coordination meeting (5/2023): Illegal Trade Eradication Steering Committee meets

The Illegal Trade Eradication Steering Committee held its work coordination meeting (5/2023) at the Ministry of Commerce in Nay Pyi Taw on Monday.

At the meeting, Chairman of the Steering Committee Vice Chairman of the State Administration Council Deputy Prime Minister Vice Senior General Soe Win said that there is illegal trade in every country but illegal trade has been taking root in the country for ages and it must be taken strong actions.If actions are not taken correctly, it will affect the country's economy and the development of the people's socio-economic life.

That’s why, it needs to take effective actions more against the illegal trade that is the main barrier for the state’s economic drive and economic development.

The Vice Senior General added that as the special cases in last July and August, the illegal transportation of millet by vessels, trains and vehicles could be exposed in Bago region and Mon state.

Similarly, the illegal transportation of millets could be prevented and moreover, illegally taking out of 11 containers could be identified in Thilawa special zone.

The relevant ministries should apply the reward and punishment system and the good employees should be honored and rewarded as well as if there is violation to the prohibited rules and regulations, it needs to take actions strictly. Due to the actions, as the millets were sold without damage, it earned 3.057 billion kyats, exceeding the original estimated price, earning more 80 million kyats than the original amount.

In Thilawa Special Economic Zone, the export and imports of the country are being undertaken systematically and G to G is also being carried out. Due to the actions of the special anti-illegal trade teams, 611 cases and the value of over 10 billion kyats were seized in July 2023 and in August, 540 cases with the value of over 12 billion kyats was seized.

In compared to July 2022 and August of the same period, there were 369 cases with the value of over 610 million kyats in the last July and 480 cases and the estimate value was over 7 million kayts in August.

The Vice Senior General stressed on systematic drafting of SOPs for the airline, implementation of 6-month pilot project to transport the goods with e-lock system that can support combating illegal trade.

He called on relevant departments to supervise in taking action against illegal trade and officials to emphasis on it more than before that is preventing the market competition of local entrepreneurs.

Later, Secretary of the Steering Committee Deputy Minister for Commerce U Min Min reported on completion of the meeting decision (4/2023) and undertakings of the Committee.

Deputy Director General and Directors General from respective departments under the ministry read out order letters submitted to the Work Committee Meeting (6/2023).

Vice Chairmen of the Steering Committee Union Ministers U Win Shein and Lt-Gen Yar Pyae and the Committee member Union Minister U Tun Ohn reported reviews on the illegal trade, E-lock systems, to amend laws and bylaws, seizures of drugs, control chemical substances, illegal vehicles, foodstuff, drug and cosmetics and preventive measures, sale of goods online and applying QR Code.

Afterwards, attendees submitted sector-wise reports on illegal trade eradication. The Steering Committee Working Group Leader read out the meeting decision (5/2023) (draft). The Chairman of the Steering Committee Vice Senior General then coordinated the reports and the meeting concluded.