Myanmar’s long land and water borders with neighboring countries are being exploited by unscrupulous traders and organizations. These groups are using illegal crossings to traffic commodities, bypassing official channels and harming the nation.
This illegal trade severely impacts the country’s economic development and the socioeconomic well-being of its people. It results in significant revenue losses for the state and undermines legitimate Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). The practice damages local production, reduces employment opportunities, and contributes to a rise in unemployment. Consumers are now facing the effects of inflation and higher commodity prices, which are partly driven by these booming illegal activities.
Beyond the economic damage, illegal trade also challenges the state’s security measures and the rule of law. In response, the Illegal Trade Eradication Steering Committee was reconstituted in late 2021. Under its guidance, regional task forces have been established, with the Customs Department leading prevention, seizure, and inspection efforts in cooperation with other agencies.
Despite these measures, illegal trade persists. Discrepancies in trade data with neighboring countries reveal ongoing activity, as traders constantly devise new methods to evade authorities. A particularly serious concern is the rise of counterfeit goods. Foodstuffs, cosmetics, and medicines with fake trademarks are now common in the market, posing a direct danger to public health without any oversight from health authorities. This also harms the long-term interests of legitimate MSMEs.
The current situation along the border is being used to intensify these activities, which in turn supports other illegal operations like online gambling. Data from seizures and bilateral trade records confirm these findings. Effectively controlling these border routes and stopping the online sale of illegal goods on social media is now a critical priority.
The state is losing substantial revenue to these online and offline illegal markets. The trade of low-quality, unregulated goods directly threatens public health and socioeconomic stability, making it a dangerous challenge for the nation.
According to task force reports, seizures range from vehicles and machinery to narcotics and prohibited chemicals. While the problem remains widespread, the situation is gradually being brought under control. However, because illegal trade damages public health, the economy, and national progress, it is essential for all citizens to participate in combating it.
Public awareness campaigns are crucial to help the entire population understand the need to curb these activities. The state is encouraging cooperation by offering rewards and providing hotlines and email addresses for reporting illegal trade through state-owned newspapers and FM radios. The public is urged to participate with a spirit of patriotism and national unity to help eradicate illegal trade for the sake of the country’s development and the people’s prosperity.
