The Ministry of Commerce has not issued official permission for export of paddy, and measures are being taken to stop paddy export via illegal routes, said permanent secretary Yan Naing Tun.

"Relevant organizations have complained to us that there are cases of exporting paddies. Our ministry has not allowed it officially. So they must have been exported through illegal routes. Now we are making coordinated efforts to inform respective states and regions about illegal paddy export and urge them to stop it," said Yan Naing Tun.

The permanent secretary's remark came after a reporter asked him if the ministry knew about reports that Chinese citizens are entering the country to buy and take paddy to their country.

"We cannot show evidence that Chinese citizens are entering our country to buy paddies. But what I learn is that paddies are being illegally exported. As a complaint comes to us, we are cooperating with state and region governments to stop this," he said.

Trade of rice and paddy is freely allowed inside the country. Official permission is only for rice and measures are now being taken to stop paddy export through illegal routes.

The permanent secretary said a combined team made up of servicemen and members of local police force and relevant departments stopped and seized 17 six-wheeled trucks loaded with paddies at the entrance to Namkham town, Shan State.

"This is the news that has come today. We don't know about tonnage. Seven trucks carrying paddies were stopped and seized," said the permanent secretary.