Local e-commerce firms concern about the

new regulations

Ministry of Commerce announced plans to draft the country’s first e-commerce law in March 2018. Though there is no details law has been released, e-commerce businesses have expressed concerns about other laws regulating online retail sector.

Managing director of Shop.com.mm Frans Maas expressed that the industry would not follow any law that requires online sellers to apply for a separate license. It would be extra cost and bureaucracy if they have to apply for a new license.
Consumer should be protected whether online or offline, two separate markets is outdated. Instead of having separate laws, there should be one law for all retailers, online and offline, Mass said.

James Ko, co-founder of Barlolo.com also said “Regulating e-commerce would be overkill on a yet nascent industry.” “If the government wants to help consumers, it should focus on illegal imports at the border because they cause substantial losses in tax revenue and an influx of low-quality products,” added Ko.

Myanmar’s retail market was worth US$10-12 billion, about 15 percent of the country’s GDP, and only one percent of consumers shop online, mostly on Facebook according to EuroCham’s 2019 Consumer Goods Guide.

Source: The Myanmar Times