Only upgrading the border trade gates in Kachin State can control the inflow of illegal, substandard goods, said Kachin State Minister for Finance, Tax, Planning and Economy U Wai Lin, at a workshop on the consumer safety in Kachin State on December 27.
The nine-member Kachin State Consumers Affairs Committee will take action against the goods that do not match with indexes, as from March 16, 2020.
Wai Lwin who is also the chair of the Kachin State Consumers Affairs Committee said: “We need to control the illegal inflows of substandard goods before these goods enter the market. We need to upgrade border trade camps. We have a plan to upgrade Kanpiketi border trade camp. It will take around one and a half years. The consumer protection team alone cannot do it. Cooperation from the public and organizations is required.”
U Zaing Du from Myitkyina-based consumers protection network said: “The people will see arms and wars when there is insecurity. The daily consumption of illegal goods by the people in Kachin and northern Shan State is very dangerous.”
The U Thein Sein Administration’s attempt to control the inflows of illegal goods into Kachin State via border failed. The signing of Union level contracts and the upgrading of border trade camps did not materialize.
