December 07, 2019

Vice President U Myint Swe, in his capacity as Chairman of the Illegal Trade Eradication Steering Committee, visited Htikhee border trade centre in Dawei Township, Dawei District, and Mawtaung border trade centre in Taninthayi Township, Myeik District yesterday.

The Vice President took a flight from Yangon to Myeik in Taninthayi Region at 8 am yesterday. He was welcomed at Myeik Airport by Regional Chief Minister U Myint Maung, Regional Chief Justice U Tin Aung, regional ministers, Hluttaw representatives and other officials.

From there, the Vice President was flown by Tatmadaw aircraft to Htikhee border trade centre. He was accompanied by the Regional Chief Minister, Deputy Ministers Maj-Gen Aung Thu, U Aung Htoo, U Sett Aung and U Kyaw Lin, regional ministers, permanent secretaries and other officials. He arrived at the centre at 10 am.

Upon arrival, the Vice President received an explanation from Trade Department Deputy Director-General U Myint Thura on the centre’s facts, trade situation, bi-lateral trade, confiscation of illegal trade, the four illegal trade routes, and promotion of trade. The Regional Chief Minister provided additional inputs and explained the situation of the centre and regional development. Deputy Ministers U Kyaw Lin, U Sett Aung and U Aung Htoo and permanent secretaries U Aung Naing Oo and U Khin Maung Yi then presented briefings about their respective sectors.

The Vice President responded by saying that the Illegal Trade Eradication Steering Committee was formed with 13 tasks to promote cooperation between the different departments to counter the rising global illegal trade index caused by Myanmar’s illegal trade. He said this is why he was here, to ensure the nation receives its due revenue, to protect domestic MSMEs, to uncover and take action against illegal trade, prevent bribery, and ensure correct market competition.

The Vice President said that eradicating illegal trade is essential to develop the national economy. He said the success of national policies on border trade depends on the cooperation of officials, especially eradicating illegal drugs. He said Free Trade Zones (FTZs) and Special Economic Zones must be used and methods to prevent illegal trade must be employed. He said proper action against illegal trade must be enforced to protect domestic production and trade and the benefits of domestic businesses. He said a reward and punishment mechanism to address illegal trade must be swiftly implemented.

Next, the Vice President observed the Htikhee border gate and trade centre by motorcade. The trade centre was opened on 27 March 2011 temporarily at Nabulae and moved to Htikhee on the Myanmar-Thai border on 11 May 2013. It was moved to its current location on 31 October 2016. The trade centre is 97 miles away from Dawei Town.

Next, the Vice President and entourage went by Tatmadaw aircraft to Mawtaung border trade centre and landed at the Pyae Phyo Tun Company landing area around 1:10 pm.

Inside the company’s meeting hall, Deputy Director-General U Myint Thura explained about the trade routes, trade centre facts, annual trade situation, the three illegal trade routes situation, confiscation of illegal goods, and action plans for promoting trade.

Next, Chief Minister U Myint Maung provided additional explanations and the situation of the trade centre and regional development.

The Vice President responded by saying that illegal trade needs to be absolutely eradicated and rule of law is extremely important. He said people-centered development needs to be made successful by all officials concerned and the assigned objectives and tasks to eradicate illegal trade needs to be followed systematically. He said that effective actions needs to be taken against illegal good to ensure there is no gap in bilateral trade between the two countries.

Next, the Vice President observed the Mawtaung border gate and trade centre by motorcade. He then visited the 16-bed Mawtaung cottage hospital, encouraged patients and handed over donations.

Mawtaung border trade centre is located in Mawtaung Town, Myeik District Taninthayi Region, and located 118 miles from Myeik Town and opened on 8 may 2013.

In the evening, the Vice President and entourage departed by Tatmadaw aircraft from Mawtaung border trade centre and arrived in Myeik Town. —MNA (Translated by Zaw Htet Oo)