There are some delays in getting licences to import the boasts for use in tourism in the Myeik archipelago in Taninthayi Region, said local business people involved in tourism.
Fewer tourists are visiting the region with the rainy season under way, but many more speed boats are required compared with the numbers used in the previous tourist season.
Dr Thein Shwe Myint from the executive committee of Myeik District Tourism Entrepreneurs Association said tourism companies were facing difficulties with getting import licences for speed boats as there are delays in workings of some government departments.
“We need many speed boats for the transport of visitors here. But we face many difficulties in getting import licences. We have learned that the regional government has formed a one-stop service centre. But we need import licences to reach there,” said Thein Shwe Myint.
Business people engaging in tourism services reported their difficulties to Union Minister for Commerce Than Myint when he was in Myeik district last month.
At that time, the minister said licences could be granted within a day but the process ahead of licence issuance may have been more lengthy than necessary at the Ministry of Transport. He then added he would look into that at the ministry.
An official from the Ministry of Commerce said the Ministry of Transport has to issue a letter of endorsement saying that a speed boat due to operate in the designated area will comply with the rules and regulations adopted by the Water Transport Department.
Yan Naing Soe, director general from the Commerce Ministry, said the concerned ministries had to carry out their tasks in accordance with their procedures. He said his ministry usually issued licences when it received such an endorsement letter from the Transport Ministry.
Source: Eleven Myanmar
