Last Friday, the Ministry of Commerce declared that this year it will continue to allow the import of used machinery which it first allowed in 2015 as part of special effort intended to be a supportive measure for the establishment of industries, including small and medium-sized enterprises, and to lower the cost of investments.

The ministry said the imports of used bicycles will only be allowed if they meet the ministry’s specifications and are ready to use.

The policy was issued after seeking the opinion of various departments on whether the move affects the existing market, the ministry said.

“Nobody would permit these imports without a need. And nobody wants import that will only become rubbish in the country and so only functional used bicycles will be permitted to improve the productivity of small businesses,” said U Khim Maung Lwin.

Although the authorities did not mention any particular country where the bicycles would be imported from, many of the bicycles used in the country were imported from Japan.

As the Ministry of Industry is also making preparations to manufacture electric bikes locally, the import of used bicycle import will decrease in the future, he added.

“Once the local production of electric bikes is started, the imports of used bicycles will have to be reconsidered. Currently, they are being permitted yearly only after taking into consideration local conditions,” he said.

The government’s stipulations for the imports are that they be done via marine shipping, and to prevent dumping in the country, the bicycles have to be usable and no more than 10 years old.

The regulations also require importers to state the brand name, capacity, year of manufacture, country of origin, and fuel type of the bikes being brought into the country. Additionally, they must have been produced in an industrialised country with modern technology, the ministry said, adding that special dispensation from the Directorate of Industrial Supervision and Inspection for bikes more than 10 years can be obtained if it can be proven they will support local SMEs.

The policy, procedures and specifications for the import will be updated yearly, the ministry said.

According to the ministry, the import of used bicycles was first allowed in 2013 with the aim of providing affordable means of transport for the people. Due to the request by traders, used bicycles were allowed instead of reconditioned ones and a pilot period was specified till the end of 2015.

Source: https://www.mmtimes.com/news/government-allow-more-imports-used-bicycles-year.html