Customs Department seized mobile phones, computers and related accessories and forest products worth an estimated over Ks 1,100 million during nine month of 2019. 

Till December since April, last year, there were 158 seizures worth an estimated Ks1,105.96 million. 

U Aung Htoo, Deputy Minister for Commerce said: “From September, 2018 to October, 2019, there were seizures of contraband worth around Ks 15.6 billion in nine regions and states.”

Vice-President U Myint Swe, Chair of the Private Sector Development Committee said: “Illegal trade is one of the factors that may hamper the country’s economy. Bigger illegal trade hampers legal trade sector.”

Micro, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises find it difficult to survive due to the massive inflows of contrabands via border areas. On 25 June, 2019.  Myanmar President Office formed a 40-member Leading Committee for the Prevention and Control against Illegal Trade with 13 tasks. The special teams seized 669 cases worth an estimated Ks 11.828 billion till June, 2019, Vice-President U Myint Swe added. 

“We are fully satisfied with the measures taken despite efforts by the special teams. There is not even one case in some regions and states in a month,” said U Myint Swe at the 28th meeting between the Private Sector Development Committee and local entrepreneurs, at the UMFCCI on 29 June.