As Myanmar currently bans the import of alcohol, large quantities of foreign liquor, beer and wine are smuggled into the country on a regular basis. Due to their illegitimacy, the authorities are unable to guarantee the quality of the alcohol and it is common for bootleg liquors to be found in the market, said U Bo Bo Oo, Pyithu Hluttaw MP of Sanchaung.

Liquor label Johnnie Walker recently also approached the authorities to discuss the legal distribution of its liquor brands in the country, said U Khin Cho, MP of Hlaingbwe township.

“In fact, fake Johnnie Walker liquor products are already on the market. They do not take responsibility for those products as these entered the market through illegal means. That’s also why they came to Hluttaw to discuss legal imports,” he said.

Currently, a law is being drafted by the Ministry of Commerce to allow the legal import of liquors and beers. “Many foreign products have long been in the market. The country would be much better off if legal imports of the products are 

allowed,” he added.

Although the authorities claim they are taking effective action to stop the illegal imports of liquors, beers and wines, they are still available in the local market. The illegal imports and production of fake liquors will be effectively handled once a proper excise law is enacted, said U Aung Htoo. – Translated

Source: https://www.mmtimes.com/news/authorities-working-permitting-liquor-imports.html