Mobile Team Formed To Curb Illegal Trade

Three ministries of the government and some business associations have formed a mobile team to rein in on illegal border trade in Myanmar, U Win Myint, minister for commerce, said.
Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Finance and Revenue, Ministry of Commerce and other business associations collaborated to organise the mobile team to control the illegal trade. The mobile team is operating to control illegal trade in the following areas: Muse, Myawaddy and Whall township, Bago.
“We are losing significant foreign revenue due to illegal trading. Myanmar market is flooded with illegal goods. Illegal trading has cut down about $1 billion foreign trade in June 2012,” U Myint said.
“The aim of the mobile team is to combat the illegal trade, to get the right tax and to ensure genuine commodity in the market. It will not affect the people in any way. It is a measure against unscrupulous businesspersons,” he said. The team will result in regular tax flow and the legal trade will also improve, he added.
“During the tenure of the current government, the foreign trade increased up to $3 billion. But this is lower compared to international standard.
“The more the government makes procedures easier, illegal trade goes up, which happens not only at the borders but also in the sea,” he added.