Myanmar: Parliament Passes Gemstone Bill amid Criticism

Feb 8, 2019 | Thompson Chau, Myanmar Times
View Original

Myanmar’s parliament has passed a controversial bill governing the gemstone sector, paving the way to restart the licensing of mining companies after a two-year moratorium. Upon taking office in 2016, the National League for Democracy-led administration suspended issuing new or extension of existing gemstone licences pending a governance review intended to clean up the sector. The new law is aimed at eradicating illegal mining and extraction of gems, tackle illicit gemstone trade, and reduce the environmental impact of extraction activities.