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Myanmar megacompany tagged in gas smuggling
Published on Wednesday, 14 November 2012 16:44
The ship from Shwe Than Lwin Company seen near Katonepaw Village, Mudon Township in Mon State
(Photo - CJ)
Myanmar authorities have confiscated 113 tonnes of illegally imported petrol in Mon State by one of the largest importing companies in the country.
“The Shwe Than Lwin Company obtained a permit from the Ministry of Commerce to import only 75 tonnes of petrol but it imported 113 tonnes more. The case is now under review," a customs official said.
When contacted by Eleven Media Group, the company refused to respond.
When companies are caught for importing more than they have been licensed to, the customs office can take action on them in accordance with customs law and respective ministries have to conduct detail investigations. After making investigations, the government may add the company to the blacklist if it should be added and take action against it.
The Ministry of Commerce has announced that the amount of petroleum legally imported to the country has declined this year despite the rise in the number of imported cars.
In 2011, official figures show 535,253 tonnes of petrol were imported from April to June. In the same period this year, only 361,844 tonnes were imported. Officials said one reason for the decline could be the rise of illegally imported petroleum.
The government, as a result, had lost about 80 million kyats (US$94,000) in fuel taxes.
The Shwe Than Lwin Company runs private fuel centres in Myanmar.
Myanmar Investment Commission (MIC) has permitted Shwe Than Lwin Co., Ltd to enter beer, cigarette, and soft drinks businesses.
The company has two subsidiaries – Than Lwin Ayeyar Industrial Production & Construction Co. Ltd and Global Alliance Industrial & Production Co. Ltd – which will enter the beer and soft drinks, and cigarette sectors, respectively.
Shwe Than Lwin Company owns Sky Net media, construction, transportation, trading, mining, agriculture, industrial, and other businesses, and the company has a bad reputation as crony among the public.
"It seems the government started to take actions to the renowned companies that breach rules and regulations," said a businessperson who requested not to be named.