Public service personnel: Take oaths to be loyal to the State

MYANMAR shares borders with five neighbouring countries, and some of these borders are easily crossable and difficult to monitor. This makes it challenging to control illegal trade and contributes to the occurrence of illicit commerce. According to the Transnational Alliance to Combat Illicit Trade (TRACIT), it is estimated that over US$460 billion worth of goods are traded illegally worldwide each year.

Due to the weakening of stability and peace in the border areas, some border points have been closed. Certain service personnel and ethnic armed groups, which have agreed to peace with the government, have been involved in illegal trade activities for their own personal gain, without loyalty or accountability to the State. Such illegal activities not only prolong the presence of armed groups in border regions but also cause the state to suffer losses by depriving it of the rightful taxes and revenues it should receive.

Moreover, there is an imbalance between exports sent abroad and legally imported goods entering the country, and this disparity in trade value causes the state to lose hundreds of millions of US dollars in potential taxes and revenues. In addition, foreign currency spent on the value of illegal exports and imports, as well as the foreign currency obtained from such trade, is also lost due to the involvement of corrupt service personnel participating in illicit trade. The illegally acquired foreign currency, often moved through channels such as cryptocurrencies, further undermines the country’s ability to secure legitimate foreign exchange reserves.

The entry of low-quality goods through illicit trade routes harms domestic consumers. Smuggled goods disrupt market prices and weaken the competitiveness of local producers and businesses. This undermining of domestic industries reduces employment opportunities. Declines in production capacity and exports, among other effects, negatively impact the country’s economic development.

Illicit trade and criminal exploitation are closely interconnected. The expansion of illegal trade slows national development and harms the country’s economy. Since economic damage affects other sectors as well, illicit trade must be regarded as a major threat to the nation. Government service personnel should faithfully perform their duties and avoid involvement in activities driven by greed that could endanger the country. That is why the government authorities are trying hard to combat illegal trade activities; those service personnel assigned duties to suppress the illegal export and import activities should be encouraged to act with loyalty and integrity toward both the State and the people.

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