Union Parliament on May 9 approved a proposal requesting the exemption from customs duty, commercial tax and special commodity tax on five motorcars imported by the International Committee for Red Cross (ICRC) to be used in humanitarian aid in Rakhine State.
Union Minister for Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement Dr Win Myat Aye clarified the matter after the discussion by a military MP in opposition to the motion. Then, the motion was approved through voting.
The minister said the ICRC applied for tax exemption from the import of five 2017 model Toyota Landcruisers with 4,200 CC engine power. They are three five-seater Landcruisers and two nine-seater Landcruisers. The total price of those five cars is US$127,879.20. Those cars will be used in humanitarian work in Rakhine State. If they are no longer to be used in such work, they will be donated to Myanmar Red Cross Society to be used in other regions of Myanmar, according to ICRC procedures.
ICRC is a fair and just organization providing humanitarian aid to those in trouble due to Rakhine conflict and people displaced by clashes.
During a session of Union Parliament held in Nay Pyi Taw on May 6, military MP Major Thurein Zaw discussed in opposition to the proposal asking about any responsive plan if 4,844 NGOs and 182 INGOs registered in Myanmar also demand tax exemption.
