The military commission has issued an urgent directive to state and regional governments across Myanmar to establish special stores that will exclusively sell domestic products instead of imported goods. According to the directive issued in late August, state and regional governments are required to open special stores in every township within their territories to sell only domestically produced goods, making products more accessible and affordable for the public.
The directive specifically mandates that these stores must sell only genuine domestic products, completely excluding imported goods from their inventory. The stores are required to stock domestically produced items including soaps, toothpaste, hair oil, and various personal care products, food items, and consumer goods. State and regional governments are instructed to first establish model shops as examples. The initiative differs from the previous Win Thuzar shops operated by the Ministry of Industry, as these new stores will not be exclusively government-owned but will allow both private entrepreneurs and military-owned factory products to be sold without discrimination between government and private sector goods.
The military council’s directive also includes special incentives for businesses and companies interested in opening domestic products-only stores, including tax relief and expedited licensing processes. This represents a significant shift in retail policy, aimed at promoting domestic production and reducing dependency on imports. The stores being established in Hlaing Tharyar Township serve as initial examples of this new initiative, showcasing various domestic alternatives to imported products. The military council’s approach appears to be part of a broader strategy to control the retail sector while attempting to address economic challenges through the promotion of domestic production.
