Rice millers from Bago Region have called on the Bago region government to control the illegal purchase of rice by Chinese merchants in cooperation with local brokers.

Some Chinese citizens are buying rice by getting into cahoots with local brokers and then later export rice to China illegally, residing at the guest houses in Zeegone, Pyay and Gyopinkauk Townships in Bago Region

Last year, the Myanmar Rice Millers Association called on the Union government to take action against illegal exports of rice to China, via the Commerce Ministry. The President Office has directed respective organizations to deal with it in accordance with the law.

Rice millers associations from regions and states have also called on the government to control illegal exports of rice to China during the harvest season.

Nay Lin Zin, General Secretary of Myanmar Rice Millers Association said local rice miller associations faced difficulties as there are illegal exports of rice after the harvest.

The fact that the lack of effective actions against illegal exports of rice has a severe effect on the local rice market, rice prices, the total shutdown of rice mills and poultry, fish and cattle breeding industries which use rice raw materials, was submitted to the regular meeting between the Vice-President and entrepreneurs on October 6.