Illegal Trade Eradication: VSG attends the Steering Committee (4/2022)

The Illegal Trade Eradication Steering Committee held its meeting (4/2022) at the Ministry of Commerce in Nay Pyi Taw on Friday with an address by Chairman of the Steering Committee, Vice Chairman of the State Administration Council Deputy Prime Minister Vice Senior General Soe Win.

At the meeting, the Vice Senior General said that the reformation of the Steering Committee has been 9 months and it is found that the Region and State Illegal Trade Eradication Special Units have achieved in carrying out prevention of illegal goods to a certain extent. If looking at the monthly seizures, the total value of seizures in June was only 3.4 billion kyats, it was doubled to 6.1 billion kyats in July.

There were 2,182 cases of seizure during the 7-month period from January to July and the estimated value is 31.28 billion kyats. If compared with that period of the previous year, the estimated value was 25.46 billion kyats more with 930 cases.

The Vice Senior General stressed the needs on check system instead of random check and no delays in carrying out measures for the seized items.

The on-duty staff at the inspection gates must expose transportation of tax-free illegal items including explosives and drugs by using unlicensed vehicles in various ways.

He called on the relevant special units and departments to supervise their members and staffs not to involve in the illegal trade, warning against corruption and surprise-check as well as to take actions against the staffs who involved in the illegal trade activities.

He also pointed out that the taxation plays a key role for the development of the State, so it needs to raise public awareness on the losses due to illegal trade through media and called for cooperate insecurity measures for the safety of the staff in the prevention of illegal trade.

Later, Secretary of the Leading Committee, Deputy Minister U Nyunt Aung reported on progress of the decision of the Illegal Trade Eradication Steering Committee meeting (3/2022), undertakings of the steering committee, getting information and seizures of illegal goods.

Officials read out the letters submitted to the meeting (4/2022). Vice Chairmen of the Steering Committee, Union Ministers Lt-Gen Soe Htut and U Win Shein, Committee members Union Minister Dr Pwint San and attendees reported on sector-wise implementations on illegal trade eradication.

Later, the meeting decisions were recorded and approved and the meeting then ended with a concluding remark by the Vice Senior General.