International Customs Day: YGN Region CM delivered the opening speech

The International Customs Day ceremony was held on January 26 at the Zeya Thiha Hall of the Customs Department (Headquarters) in Yangon. Yangon Region Chief Minister U Soe Thein attended and delivered the opening speech.

Chief Minister U Soe Thein highlighted that Myanmar joined the World Customs Organization (WCO) on March 25, 1991, as its 109th member. This year marks the 35th time Myanmar has celebrated International Customs Day. With the increase in trade along the Kawthaung–Ranong–Yangon route, he urged officials to focus on facilitating smooth trade and ensuring full tax revenue collection. He noted that illegal trade is a major barrier to national economic growth and called for intensified efforts to combat it. He emphasized that staff must perform their duties based on integrity, accountability, and a commitment to being free from corruption. Following the Chief Minister’s speech, Deputy Minister for Finance and Revenue, U Han Win Aung, delivered remarks, and U Thein Swe, Director General of the Customs Department, explained the department's ongoing operations.

The Chief Minister and officials then presented several awards, including special honors for children of Customs staff who excelled in their matriculation exams, certificates of honor for staff members who have donated blood 10 or more times, as well as those who have donated 5 or more times and recognition for various professional achievements.

After the ceremony, the Chief Minister and officils viewed a photo gallery documenting the department's activities over the past year and toured the Customs History Museum.

Later, Chief Minister U Soe Thein and region ministers visited the People’s Square in Dagon Township. They inspected the booths representing Yangon Region that will be sent to the Union-Level MSME Product Exhibition and Fair in Nay Pyi Taw. The Chief Minister coordinated the necessary requirements for the successful display of the products, it’s learnt.