Vice-Chairman of the State Administration Council Deputy Prime Minister Vice-Senior General Soe Win delivered a speech at the work coordination meeting 4/2024 of the Illegal Trade Eradication Steering Committee at the Ministry of Commerce in Nay Pyi Taw yesterday.

He stressed the duties of the steering committee, region and state special task forces to crack down on the illegal trade effectively and decisively, as the unlawful trade causes disadvantages such as hardships in the State economy and loss of capacity for the national entrepreneurs in manufacturing and market competition sectors.

He continued that Myanmar is rich in natural resources and is an agriculture-based country, so it should encourage the production of natural resource produce and agricultural produce. MSMEs should promote the production sector and export new items. While the government is working according to economic objectives, illegal trade brings huge hindrances to the state economy and socioeconomic sectors.

He continued that, after forming the Illegal Trade Eradication Steering Committee, smuggled and illegal commodities worth K300.028 billion were seized in 14,659 cases from January 2022 to August 2024.

With regard to seizures in Myanmar, the Vice-Senior General noted that the Customs Department and Mandalay Region stood first for the seizure of smuggled and illegal commodities in July and August 2024, followed by the Sagaing Region and Kachin State. Among them, he continued that unregistered vehicles and illegal commodities were seized as the most enormous volume, followed by intermediate goods and capital goods.

The World Economic Forum estimated the value of illicit trade and transnational criminal activities to be five to 15 per cent of the global GDP.

Moreover, there is a risk that lack of monitoring, oversight and transparency on activities undertaken in numerous Free Trade Zones create opportunities for illicit trade even though these zones are designed to attract legal trade and foreign investments.

He then stressed the need to supervise the trading processes at the Thilawa Special Economic Zone to prevent illicit trading.

In regard to the State economy, the manufacturing and trading sectors should be developed. In doing so, the agriculture and livestock breeding sectors should be supported. The ministries concerned should distribute agrochemicals, animal feed and vaccines to the farmers in time in respective seasons.

On the other hand, the organizations should supervise not to give rise to illegal goods transport and frequent distribution.

He underscored that illegal goods imported via land borders can cause disease transmission and losses in the agriculture and livestock breeding sector. He then mentioned the adverse effects of the illicit trade of cosmetics and substandard electronic appliances.

He then mentioned the consequences of illegal trade that affects the economy, local production, economic objectives of the country, agriculture, manufacturing and trading sectors.

He also stressed the challenges to curbing illegal trade, such as specific weaknesses in security measures in border areas, law enforcement, scarcity of staff in anti-illegal trade activities, and corruption. He added that eradication of illegal trade must be designated as a national duty for all.

He also instructed the region and state illegal trade eradication special task forces to conduct spot checks at the inspection camps, border areas and trading routes, local warehouses and markets to prevent illicit trading of natural resources.

He then said the people informed 97 illegal trading in July and August 2024, of which three were false news, three were late news, and 91 were accurate news. A high number of trustworthy news outlets show supportive measures to carry out duties more effectively. The steering committee appreciated the efforts of people, and they will be presented cash prizes in a timely manner.

A total of K2,140.951 million worth of illegal goods, including wood, industrial materials, foodstuffs and unregistered vehicles, were seized from 117 cases.

He added that five reports were received recently, and informers were awarded cash prizes under a K2 billion grant.

The seizures in August are higher than the ones in July and August.

He then urged the region/state illegal trade eradication special task forces and relevant departments to conduct public awareness programmes regarding the disadvantages of illicit trade, prevent illegal natural resource productions, be free of corruption and serve duties with security awareness and conscience.

After hearing the reports made by the attendees, the Vice-Senior General coordinated all discussions and reports. — MNA/KTZH

Source- The Global New Light Of Myanmar

Senior General Min Aung Hlaing requested well-wishers and businesspersons to invest as much as possible in the agriculture sector, while the government delivers capital to farmers to regrow crops in the flood-affected areas.

Chairman of the State Administration Council Prime Minister Senior General Min Aung Hlaing said so at the third cash donation ceremony at the hall of the Yangon Region government yesterday afternoon for taking relief and rehabilitation measures in the flood-stricken areas triggered by Typhoon Yagi.

At the ceremony, the Senior General noted that the high level of Inlay Lake has not yet ebbed, whereas Lawpita and upper Paunglaung have not been able to generate electricity due to the inflow of large water volume.

He disclosed that so far, cash donations for flood-impacted people amounted to more than K50 million on aggregation.

The Senior General recounted well-wishers donated more than K32 billion for the first time and more than K10 billion for the second time.

He underlined that it is important to take adequate time to carry out rehabilitation undertakings as the government is carrying out necessary rehabilitation tasks yearly whenever natural disasters hit.

The Senior General requested well-wishers and businesspersons to invest as much as possible in the agriculture sector while the government delivers capital to farmers to regrow crops in the flood-inflicted areas.

He added that their contributions could help re-operate agricultural tasks as well as the manufacturing sector.

He revealed that currently, as foreign investment is less, businesspersons have to invest in agriculture and livestock breeding sectors.

The Senior General highlighted that it is necessary to remedy the traumas of flood-ravaged people while taking rehabilitation measures.

He underscored that the government manages the collection of population and household census as preparations for holding the election as part of efforts not to participate in politics but to work for the food of the country.

The Senior General accepted relief supplies and cash donations from ministries, regional and state governments, staff, and well-wishers at home and abroad and returned certificates of appreciation.

Council Joint Secretary General Ye Win Oo, Council members General Mya Tun Oo, Admiral Tin Aung San, Lt-Gen Yar Pyae and General Nyo Saw, Union Ministers and the Yangon Region Chief Ministers also accepted the cash donations and returned the certificate of honour. At the ceremony, well-wishers donated relief supplies and more than K11.97 billion. — MNA/TTA

Source- The Global New Light Of Myanmar

OFFICIALS need to consider systematically setting the water clearance for vessels in waterways and piers of the Myanmar-Korea Friendship (Dala) Bridge, said Chairman of the State Administration Council Prime Minister Senior General Min Aung Hlaing on his inspection tour of the bridge project yesterday afternoon.

On arrival at the bridge project site, the Senior General heard reports on data about the bridge and its benefits, accomplishment of the implementation of the guidance of the Senior General during his inspection tour of the project in May 2023, completion of the approach bridge on the Dala bank and the main bridge, progress of the mid-stream tower, progress of approach bridge on the Yangon bank, quality control, worksite safety, and environmental conservation measures by Union Minister for Construction U Myo Thant.

In his guidance, the Senior General stressed the need to complete the project on schedule as the construction of the bridge would benefit the people. Emphasis must be placed on strengthening the bridge. He continued that it is necessary to ensure the safety of vehicles running on the bridge. Officials need to take the systematic setting of the water clearance for vessels in waterways and piers into consideration in advance.

The Senior General presented cash awards to project engineers through officials. He inspected the progress in implementing the bridge project.

During the goodwill visit to the Republic of Korea in 2012, President U Thein Sein discussed with officials the implementation of the Myanmar-Korea Friendship (Dala) Bridge project. The project commenced in 2013. It is a cable-stayed bridge. Upon completion, people from Yangon will have easy access to beach areas and Ayeyawady Region via Dala, Twantay, Kawhmu, Kungyangon and Dedaye townships. The bridge will ease traffic congestion in Yangon City to some extent and contribute to the development of social, economic, education, health and transport sectors. The bridgewill be a landmark of Yangon City.

The Senior General also inspected the upgrade of the planetarium to the space gallery at the People’s Square and the People’s Park in Dagon Township, Yangon Region.

Yangon Mayor U Bo Htay reported on the history of the planetarium and the facts about the exhibition hall, upgrading process of the planetarium. The Senior General gave the necessary guidance and viewed the constellations.

The planetarium was opened in 1987 in commemoration of the Japan-Myanmar friendship, aimed at enabling students and people to have knowledge about astronomy and to relax. At present, the planetarium is being upgraded to the space gallery.

The Senior General inspected maintenance of the People’s Square and the People’s Park and gave necessary guidance to officials. — MNA/TTA

Source- The Global New Light Of Myanmar

RELIEF and recovery efforts continue in flood-stricken villages and districts, including Nay Pyi Taw Council Area and other regions and states impacted by flooding.

In these areas, efforts are ongoing to clean up and relocate necessary items, as well as clear fallen trees and debris. Members of Tatmadaw, police, fire brigade, Red Cross, and civil society organizations are actively cooperating with locals to undertake tasks in flood-hit areas across Nay Pyi Taw Union Territory, as well as various regions and states. Relief and restoration operations are actively coordinated. 

Efforts were ongoing yesterday in Nay Pyi Taw Council Area, particularly in Zeyathiri, Pyinmana, Lewe, and Pobbathiri townships.

Similarly, recovery measures are being taken in Kayah State’s Loikaw Township. These efforts include cleaning public spaces such as monasteries, schools, hospitals, clinics, and government buildings, as well as clearing debris like silt and fallen trees.

Additionally, health teams have been providing essential medical services and education sessions in temporary relief camps for flood victims. They distribute aid supplies, including clothing, necessary items, food and donations. Yesterday, Lt-Gen Phone Myat from the Commander-in-Chief (Army) office and Commander Maj-Gen Soe Min of the Nay Pyi Taw Command visited flood victims in Aungthuka, Paunglaung, Bokoelone, and Heyman villages in Lewe Township, where they provided rice, oil, and food supplies. They also visited Venerable Bhaddanta Pannasiri, the abbot of Aungthuka Monastery, and offered donations. Additionally, efforts are underway to repair roads and bridges that were damaged by the flooding. Temporary Bailey bridges were installed as replacements, and repairs to the remaining bridges are underway to restore transport links as quickly as possible. — MNA/KZL

Source- The Global New Light Of Myanmar