Burma: Khin Nyunt warns customs staff over misconduct, graft
Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt, secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council [SPDC], met with staff of Customs Department at the Ministry of Finance and Revenue at 1400 [local time] today. Firstly, Finance and Revenue Minister U Khin Maung Thein explained the organizational set-up of the ministry, background history of the Customs Department, staff structure and strength, departmental programmes, objectives, and other salient points.
In his speech SPDC Secretary-1 Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt said; in implementing the national economic policies in accord with the market-oriented economy, the country is giving priority to the progress of the nation's international economic and trade relations, proportionate development of exports and imports, acquiring of international techniques and investments and emergence of national entrepreneurs who will contribute to the progress of the national economy. Promotion of international trade relations has led to development of the transport and flow of goods. Furthermore, launching of regular trade and border trade with the neighbouring countries has increased the number of border checkpoints, the trade volume, and entries and exits...
At the present, collecting of taxes is to earn revenues for management tasks and national development projects of the nation. But the tax collectors and tax payers are required to clearly understand that the aim of collecting taxes is not only to earn revenues for the State. The basic principles of tax collection is for ensuring the proportionate budget system, controlling inflation, and adjusting the domestic consumption, investment and savings...
The secretary-1 next explained the authority of the Customs Department which include seizure and taking action against smugglers. As the State has invested them with the duties and authority with trust, the customs officers should be loyal to the State, should use their authority only in the service of national interests, and should restrain from abusing power. He warned the staff about misconduct, abuse of authority, and the practice of bribery as a norm.
Due to the market-oriented economic system currently being practised, the number of commercial activities and export and import activities have increased as well as the participation of private businessmen. Just as importers conduct their business in accord with the laws, rules, and regulations to ensure the smoothness of increasing commercial activities, to make commodity flow smooth and swift, and to fulfil the requirements of private business and production sector, the Customs Department is to work exactly and correctly in accord with the laws. Laws, rules and regulations are not designed to have a detrimental effect on public interests but are aimed at promoting public interests...
Khin Nyunt then advised the customs employees who are dealing with the public to have high moral standard and to safeguard national interests with patriotic spirit. They are to prevent the entry of commodities into the nation with clear national outlook from the health, educational, cultural, moral, security and administrative points of view...
In conclusion, the secretary-1 urged all those present to contribute to development of national economy and foreign commercial activities by carrying out customs tasks correctly and swiftly; to perform the tasks with national outlook for the sake of national defence and security and national interests; to provide services for the people to be able to do commercial activities freely and peacefully; to strive to earn more foreign exchange by providing proper services and to assess customs duties in accord with the laws and rules and regulations; and to contribute to the flourishing of the market-oriented economic system. Afterwards, the ceremony came to a close.
