Myanmar’s higher rank in TRACIT gears up to combat illegal trade

 

Vice-Senior General Soe Win noted that if the security and inspection teams conduct thorough and systematic inspections, the efforts to combat illegal trade will be more effective and successful.

The Illegal Trade Eradication Steering Committee held the 2/2025 meeting at the Ministry of Commerce in Nay Pyi Taw yesterday afternoon, with an address by Chairman of the Steering Committee Vice-Chairman of the State Administration Council Deputy Prime Minister Vice-Senior General Soe Win.

In his address, the Vice-Senior General pointed out that ministries and government bodies must cooperate with one another by sharing information and taking joint action in combatting illegal trade with neighbouring trading partner countries.

He continued that, in economic-related meetings, the Prime Minister has consistently instructed that “effective measures must be taken to prevent illegal trade.”

He recounted that at the Security, Peace and Stability, and Rule of Law Committee meeting held on 19 March 2025, the Chairman of the State Administration Council gave guidance: “Illegal trade leads to criminal activities, provides financial support to terrorist organizations, and undermines regional stability and security. Therefore, relevant ministries and officials from the state and regional governments must take decisive and effective action to eliminate illegal trade.”

The Vice-Senior General underlined that if the security and inspection teams conduct thorough and systematic inspections, the efforts to combat illegal trade will be more effective and successful.

Regarding the fight against illegal trade, he revealed that Myanmar ranked 117th out of 158 countries in the 2025 Illicit Trade Index published by the Transnational Alliance to Combat Illicit Trade (TRACIT). In comparison, in the 2018 Global Illicit Trade Environment Index, Myanmar ranked 81st out of 84 countries. This indicates some improvement in the 2025 index. However, among the 10 ASEAN member countries, Myanmar is ranked only ninth in terms of combatting illicit trade. Therefore, it is necessary to continue strengthening efforts to combat illicit trade with greater momentum.

The Vice-Senior General explained that the Transnational Alliance to Combat Illicit Trade (TRACIT) has identified 12 key sectors where illicit trade is rampant in its 2025 Illicit Trade Index report. These sectors include agricultural products, agricultural chemicals and pesticides, alcohol, counterfeit goods, forest products, illegal fishing, petroleum products, pharmaceuticals, precious metals and gemstones, tobacco products, human trafficking, and wildlife trafficking.

He highlighted that among the seizures made over three years and four months, the highest number was unregistered motor vehicles and motorcycles. It was also found that there were imported goods related to investment, machinery and equipment, as well as other household items.

He stressed that, on the one hand, there must be enforcement through arrests and control, and on the other hand, strong and effective implementation through intellectual property laws and consumer protection laws. It is necessary for the government, business owners, economic organizations, and the public to cooperate and work together.

He instructed the Nay Pyi Taw Council, task forces of the regions and states, and the relevant departments to carry out stronger cooperation among them in combatting illegal trade.

The Vice-Senior General underlined that the participating staff members are also encouraged to individually serve their duties with security awareness, security caution, and responsibility, and to work within their organization and community with security awareness and security caution.

In reviewing the arrests made over three years and four months, he disclosed that a total of 22,198 cases of illegal commodities worth K576.541 billion were confiscated or seized.Among the monthly arrests, the seizures in March 2025 recorded the highest.

The Secretary of the Steering Committee reported on the accomplishment of the minutes of the 1/2025 meeting and the work process of the steering committee.

Letters sent to the steering committee were presented at the meeting.

Member of the steering committee Union ministers, the Chairman of the Revenue Appellate Tribunal and officials discussed reviews on illegal trade, seizures of prohibited chemicals, drugs, arms and ammunition, timber, vehicles, fuel, foodstuffs and cosmetics, swift addressing the cases, gathering of information, export and import measures, commodity flow at trade camps and bilateral trade with neighbouring countries.

The meeting ended with the remarks by the Vice-Senior General.

MNA/TTA

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