"Representatives of the British Chamber of Myanmar, European Chamber of Myanmar, Delegation of German Industry and Commerce in Myanmar, EuroCham Myanmar Automotive Advocacy Group and AAM held a joint press conference on the issue yesterday in Yangon. On January 2, the Ministry of Commerce announced that senior government officials, such as directors general, deputy directors general, and those with a minimum of 25 years of excellent service, would be given import permits for vehicles as rewards for their work. The vehicles approved for import would be determined by the ministry on a yearly basis and would be allowed into the country directly without going through a showroom or car dealership. “If the government goes ahead with this plan, it will affect the whole automotive industry greatly. The image of the industry in Myanmar, which is heavily dependent on foreign investment, will not be good,” said Mr Peter Beynon, chair of the British Chamber of Commerce Myanmar. Following the announcement of the plan, the AAM wrote to the Ministry of Commerce asking that the plan be reviewed or shelved. The AAM said the plan would raise feelings on unfairness among people who have to pay taxes to the government for the cars they buy through ordinary channels and also cause price instability in the local car market. The AAM further stated that the plan would damage companies assembling vehicles for sale in the local market, and car sales centres owned by local companies..."