Mobile Teams : Dissolved Ministry Remain Confident In Tackling Smuggling

The Ministry of Commerce in 2012 formed mobile teams meant to help curb smuggling across the country, in cooperation with other ministries, the Myanmar Police Force and Township Departments. But the service of these teams has been put to an end in December 30, stirring up concerns over illegal trade. According to the Ministry of Commerce, the move was meant to facilitate smoother and swifter commodity flow.

From 2012 until December 2015, mobile teams seized 52.9 billion kyat worth of illegal goods through 8,520 cases. The Director General of the Ministry of Commerce said most seized items were from main smuggling routes, especially the Muse-Mandalay Highway, Myawaddy-Yangon route and in Myeik Archipelago. There is currently no specific plan to replace the duties of the mobile team, but the Ministry of Commerce stressed liberalization and promotion of trade to curb smuggling would continue. 

Director ,Department of Trade Promotion ,Win Myint : "Due to ASEAN Economic Community, the free trade market, we do impose many necessary rules and regulations, protection for the consumers as well as the entrepreneurs. So I think the decision makers dissolved the team believing we can continue to manage these issues". 

Meanwhile, local traders appear to not be as affected about the move. They instead would like more government emphasis on educating traders and consumers of key actions to stop illegal trade. 

VICE CHAIRMAN ,MYANMAR RICE FEDERATION ,DR. SOE TUN : "I think the government officials and the upcoming new government need to put more efforts to educate people about taxation. Although we have mobile team, we can't combat the illegal trade 100 percent fully, as illegal trading is still ongoing, especially in border areas. And legal trader and entrepreneurs are still facing difficulties to compete the illegal traders in the market". 

Myanmar has so far recorded 18.8 Billion USD worth of trade until December of this fiscal year.