THE Private Sector Development Committee, chaired by Vice
President U Myint Swe, and businesspersons met in Yangon yesterday to discuss
reforms, including bringing about changes in export and import rules and
policies. The 30th regular meeting was held at the Union of Myanmar Federation
of Chambers of Commerce and Industry (UMFCCI) in Yangon yesterday morning.
In his address Vice President U Myint Swe said starting from
December 2016 regular meetings with business persons had been held and up to
the last meeting, the 29th, 358 difficulties and issues raised by
businesspersons were sent back to relevant businesses through the UMFCCI.
Responses included matters that were resolved as well as 50 matters that were
yet to be resolved. Of the 50, 24 were found to be permissible while 5 were
found to be not in line with the policy and thus could not be permitted. The 21
remaining matters were still being looked into and will be included for
resolution through the Public Private Dialogue with the 5 work committees.
The Trade sector played an important role in the development
of a country’s economy. As private and public sectors were cooperating towards
this end it was US$ 33.53 billion in fiscal year 2017-2018 and US$ 34.98
billion in fiscal year 2018-2019. This was US$ 3.879 billion more than the
planned amount. Private sector participation in this was US$ 29.309 billion or
84 percent.
Local investment amounting to K 17,772.686 billion including
US$ 9.214 billion was made in 1,315 businesses.
As complaints were made against illegal imports through the
border area illegal trade control and prevention groups were formed in nine
regions and states resulting in 944 arrests of an estimated Kyat 14.6145 billion
worth of illegal imports. The Office of the President had formed the Il-legal
Trade Eradication Steering Committee and based on illegal trade eradication
index arrangements were made to form work committees, sub-committees and
special work groups and to draw up an illegal trade eradication strategy.
The World Bank’s Doing Business Website posted on 27
September 2019 that Myanmar was among the top 20 improvers lists in the World
Bank’s Ease of Doing Business Index 2020. The website mentioned that Myanmar
progressed in the five sub-indices of Dealing with construction permits,
starting a business, registering property, enforcing contracts and protecting
investors. Doing Business 2020 report will be published on 24 October. Some
improvements and reforms were under observation and were not included as
points. Although the government had conducted reforms, the private sector was
not aware of it immediately. This lack of responses resulted in no points being
obtained. All were urged to cooperate and participate towards easing and
developing Doing Business work processes.
Relevant departments for progress and development of 2021
Ease of Doing Business Ranking need to change the laws, rules, procedures and
policies to be in line with the times and were using modern technologies to
reform and change. Departments and private businesses need to know the reforms
and changes implemented by the government and success could be achieved only if
there were strong cooperation between the government and the private sector. All
were urged to establish businesses that benefit business persons, low income
people and the government and work towards increasing responsible investments
in the country.
Associations and entities participating in today’s meeting
were urged to discuss openly the difficulties they face with the relevant Union
Ministers, Deputy Ministers and officials who were in attendance, said the Vice
President.
Next, Union Minister for Commerce Dr Than Myint explained
about works conducted by the ministry on export and import laws, policies,
rules and regulations and increasing export.
Afterwards UMFCCI President U Zaw Min Win explained about
the status of implementing decisions made at the past meetings, public-private
discussions held for private sector development, increasing export and status
of sector wise works.
Yangon Region Chambers of Commerce and Industry Chairman U
Khin Han, Myanmar Fisheries Federation Vice Chairman Dr Toe Nanda Tin and
general secretary U Win Kyaing, Myanmar Automobile Manufacturers and
Distributors Association Vice Chairman U Zaw Htike Aye and joint secretary Dr
Kyaw Kyaw Aung then explained about sector wise difficulties faced and provided
discussions and suggestions.
The Vice President, Union Ministers, Deputy Ministers,
Yangon City Development Committee joint secretary and officials provided
comments and suggestions to ensure coordination based on suggestions made.
The meeting came to close after a concluding speech by the
Vice President.
Also present at the meeting were:
Vice-Chairman of PSDC and Union Minister for Commerce Dr.
Than Myint; Union Minister for Investment and Foreign Economic Relations U
Thaung Tun; Deputy Ministers U Aung Htoo and U Win Maw Tun; UMFCCI President U
Zaw Min Win, Vice Presidents and central executive committee members; chairmen,
vice chairmen and officials from 5 work committees; Deputy Mayor of Yangon and
Yangon City Development Committee joint secretary; permanent secretaries,
directors general and department heads; chairmen, vice chairmen and officials
from Yangon Region Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Myanmar Fisheries
Federation and Myanmar Automobile Manufacturers and Distributors Association.
MNA
(Translated by Zaw Min)
Photo: MNA
Ref: The Global New Light of Myanmar
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