Monday, November 7, 2011

Japanese used cars arrive in Burma: part of car-swap deal

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Monday, 07 November 2011 19:14 Mizzima News

Rangoon (Mizzima) – The Panamanian-flagged container ship Ocean Blue carrying 110 used cars imported from Japan docked in Sule Port in Rangoon on Saturday.

The imported cars are the first batch under a program announced on September 19 in which Burmese cars that have been in service for 40 years or more will be swapped for newer used cars.


The Myanmar Port Authority reported that the cars were inspected and unloaded from the ship.

“The owners must take their cars by showing their documents. Only the drivers and the owner or representatives of the owner can enter the port,” a port official told Mizzima.

The eight-story ship carried 2,000 cars. About 1,500 cars were in route to Chittagong, Bangladesh. 

Most of the imported used cars imported are Toyota Mark II. Mitsubishi Pajero and Hilux Surf were also included.

Since 2000, Burmese car import permits have been tightened and prices on the market are artificially high compared to prices in foreign countries. In the Burmese car market, used cars dominate over new cars.

In the swap program, cars made between 1995 and 2002 can be imported. Starting on October 27, the latest car models could be imported, Minister for Commerce Pwint San said earlier during a press conference in Naypyitaw.

Under the swap program, more than 2,000 cars will be imported through December, according to port authorities.

Starting on Tuesday, 8,331 cars between 30 and 40 years old will be swapped under the program. From January 2012, 36,875 cars between 20 and 30 years will be swapped.

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