Online export and import licensing services for 50
items will launch on June 7, according to the Ministry of Commerce.
“In the beginning we are focusing on agricultural
products, constructional materials, commodities and garment products,” U Myo
Khaing Win, deputy director of Ministry of Commerce, said.
More than 4,000 types of traded goods are expected
to be available in the system later. The remaining goods to be included in the
online service system will take about six months due to the ongoing data
collection process, the Ministry said.
To complete online licence applications, applicants
should visit www.myanmartradenet.com.mm,
but for garment-related export and import licences, applicants have to go
through the Myanmar Garment Entrepreneurs Association (MGEA) website, www.myanmargarments.org.
“A recommendation from MGEA is needed for garment
import and export applicants. In the online system, we combined both the
recommendation of the associations and applications. It means that the
application does not need to go directly to the Ministry,” the deputy director
said.
Introducing the online licensing system is included
on the ‘100-day plan’ of the Ministry. Red tape and bureaucracy in various
departments in the Ministry of Commerce has plagued the licence approval
process for a long time.
U Myo Khaing Win claimed if electricity and internet
access infrastructure including complete details of the application are there,
it would only take ten minutes to receive approval.
“Even though Myanmar is late to implement an export
and import online service system, it is still a great news. The applicant
should provide complete details and the tax payment records to make the process
smoother,” U Myat Thin Aung, chairman of Hlaing Tharyar Industrial Management
Committee, told Myanmar Business Today.
According to the Ministry for Commerce, online licence
applications are only allowed for maritime traders and for two border gates –
Muse and Myawaddy.
From:
Myanmar Business Today