Myanmar government is set to launch a new regulation-enforcement initiative on August 12 to control illegal imports and exports especially through overseas trade routes.
It will adopt harsher punishments, such
as 3-year imprisonment for illegal exports/imports under the new
Export-Import Law (2012), Tin Ye Win, a director general at the commerce
ministry, told a press conference in Yangon on August 9.
Under the new program, illicit imports
and exports will be monitored at every port of entry point, starting
from August 12, but punishments will be enforced only from September 1.
Meanwhile, the Central Committee of
Control of Illegal Trade Control is required to raise awareness and
educate the stakeholders about the initiative.
Consumerists welcomed the government’s
move saying it will reduce of the harmful goods in the market illegally
imported through over sea trade routes.
Preventing illegal trade will present a
good image especially when President Thein Sein visits foreign countries
and discuss bilateral trade cooperation, said Tin Ye Win, who is also
the central committee member of control of illegal trade.
In the past seven months, the
committee’s mobile teams seized a total of illegal goods worth K6
billion kyats (US$6.18 million). The offenders were then charged certain
amount of money, but they were not given any severe punishments.
Monetary punishments under the overseas trade law were not effective to curb such dishonest activities, Tin Ye Win noted.
When the problem continues due to
ineffective mechanism, some people alleged committee members are corrupt
taking bribes from illicit traders. However, investigations into these
allegations have proved the innocence and integrity of the committee
members for which even the President also praised, Tin Ye Win said.
“Looking at bribery cases, it is found
that only some government officials are dismissed. Bribing merchants
weren’t charged even a small amount of penalty. Both parties should be
punished in reality. Actually, although our committee is continuously
seizing illegal goods, the traders easily claim back their goods by
paying some penalties. It really disheartens us,” he noted.
source: Eleven Myanmar
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