Illegal Trade Eradication: Steering Committee holds meeting 4/2023

The Illegal Trade Eradication Steering Committee held its meeting 4/2023 at the Ministry of Commerce on Thursday with an address by the Committee Chairman Vice Chairman of the State Administration Council Deputy Prime Minister Vice-Senior General Soe Win.

At the meeting, the Vice-Senior General said this is the 10th meeting and 311 decisions were made in the previous meeting. From January 2022 to June 2023, there were 7,011 cases and an estimated value of over 127 billion kyats and the seizures have progressed a lot in compared to the same period last year.

The Vice Senior General added that the main causes of illegal trade are "Government policy, supply and demand, transparency and trade and the basic factors such as the customs business environment, the presence of border areas that still need security in the country, the facts such as the low level of capacity performance and staff strength who involve in anti-illegal trade activities and corruption.

If reviewing the seizure in June 2023, the confiscations are more than the previous month, but according to the review by product group, the total estimated value of seizures for the month is 11.816 billion kyats and the vehicle group is 7.822 billion Kyats.

It is 4.254 billion kyats more than the previous month but the remaining groups such as the seizures of agricultural products, various timbers, commercial raw materials, consumer goods, food and live animals have decreased.

It has been seen that seizures have declined significantly at the main checkpoints on the trade route such as ManyanChaung, Kawkareik, Tada Kyoe, Muse 105th Mile, international airports and seaports. To facilitate inspection of cargo vehicles along trade routes, the cargo list system has been tested since December 1st 2022. It needs to report and review by asking the difficulties faced by the staff, drivers and traders as the trial period (6) months is over.

In trade activities, the use of online systems such as MACCS system used to issue import export declarations, the Myanmar Tradenet 2.0 system and the MyCo system are beneficial. But, it’s necessary to constantly monitor and analyze difficulties and weaknesses. Regarding the implementation of the National Single Window System for the inter-departmental online system, and the Single Window Inspection (SWI) and Single Stop Customs Inspection (SSCI) processes, which will be tested at the Myanmar-Thai border, the relevant departments need to continuously report on the progress and coordination of the implementation.

Illegal goods should be prevented and inspected in border areas, trade routes, warehouses and markets. The bill of lading system needs to be reviewed and the E-Lock system must be implemented as soon as possible. Special teams and One Stop Service departments need to work together to fight against illegal trade, the Vice Senior-General added.

And, attendees reported on implementation of decisions made in the Steering Committee’s meeting 3/2023 and the orders submitted to the meeting 4/2023 were read and presented. Also, union ministers and attendees made explanation on Myanmar - Thailand export and import comparison, prevention of the importation of illegal products from illegal channels, illegal goods seizures, analysis of illegal trade, quick implementation of the E-Lock system, checking with QR Code and security issues. And, resolutions (drafts) of the meeting (4/2023) were read out and presented. The meeting came to a close with coordination by the Vice Senior General.