Myanmar President Vows Zero Tolerance for Illegal Trade Conducted Through Unlawful Channels

Myanmar President U Min Aung Hlaing has stated that illegal trade conducted through unlawful channels using illegally obtained funds will not be tolerated.

He made the remarks during a Union Government meeting held on July 7.

The President said that all trade activities must be carried out through legal channels and be subject to systematic inspection, supervision, and regulation. He noted that illegal trade causes losses to the state and that, throughout different eras, the smuggling of goods into and out of the country had deprived the government of rightful tax revenues. He added that the public had often been forced to use substandard products, while some government employees had engaged in corrupt practices.

He emphasized that illegal trade involving goods purchased with unlawfully obtained funds and transported through illegal routes is unacceptable and must not be permitted.

The President also said that market manipulation by unscrupulous profiteers must be countered through legitimate trade. He stressed the need to increase exports to support national economic growth and called on relevant ministries as well as regional and state governments to encourage greater production in their respective areas.

In addition, he said efforts must be made to ensure that border trade checkpoints can operate normally from a security standpoint, while administrative officials must closely monitor and supervise activities to ensure that operations are conducted systematically and in accordance with regulations.

At the meeting, President U Min Aung Hlaing also noted that neighboring countries have significant market demand for basic food products such as meat, fish, and kitchen crops. He said Myanmar has the opportunity to export these products through border trade routes to those markets. However, he added that full-scale exports have not been possible along some routes and in certain areas due to security-related restrictions.