Tourism industry shall be operated in accordance with the following basic principles: -

prevention of infringement of the sovereignty and security of the State;
betterment of the interests of Myanmar and its citizens;
contributing to the friendship, understanding and unity of the national races through tourism industry;
preservation and development of ancient historical sites and monuments, traditional arts and custom of the national races, which are the cultural heritage of Myanmar;
preservation and development of natural scenic beauty and natural environmental heritage of Myanmar;
contributing to international friendship and understanding through tourism industry;
development of technical knowledge relating to tourism industry and opening up of more employment opportunities;
providing security and satisfaction of tourists.

1. This Law shall be called the Myanmar Tourism Law.

2. The following expressions contained in this Law shall have the meanings given hereunder

Tourist means a person travelling from his place of residence to another place for a visit. This expression also includes a domestic tourist, international tourist and a foreign visitor;

Tourism Industry includes tourist enterprise, hotel business, lodging-house business, tourist transport business, tour guide business and business which are prescribed by the Myanmar Tourism Commission as tourism industry;

Tourist Enterprise means an economic enterprise which a tour operator business or travel agency business or both;

Hotel Business means an economic enterprise, which provides accommodation and food, beverage and other services for tourists. This expression also includes restaurant business opened at the hotel or within its premises;

Lodging House Business means an economic enterprise, which provides only accommodation for tourists. This expression also includes guesthouse business, boarding-house business or similar lodging business;

Tourist Transport Business means an economic enterprise, which provides transport to tourists within a town or from one town to another or to any locality within the country;

Tour Guide Business means an economic enterprise, which provides tour service to tourists;

Commission means the Myanmar Tourism Commission formed under this Law;

Directorate means the Directorate formed by the Government under this Law;

Inspector means the Directorate or a person assigned by the Directorate in order to inspect tourism industry contained in this Law;
License means a permit issued by the Directorate to operate any t~in5m industry;
License-ho1der means a person who has the right to operate any tourism industry under this Law

Burmese authorities have been instructed by the government to block marriage ceremonies between Burmese women and foreign men, according to legal sources.

Burmese law allows marriages between Burmese citizens and foreigners, provided they give divisional courts 21 days notice.
“That law is now being suspended on the instructions of the government,” legal adviser Aung Thein told The Irrawaddy.

Aung Thein suggested the suspension of the law could be aimed at preventing human trafficking, but he described it as unfair. “It will prohibit the rights of couples if they truly love each other and want to get formally married,” he said.

The Rangoon journal Flower News journal reported this month that local brokers were involved with foreigners in trafficking Burmese women.

Lawyer Kyaw Hoe, said the suspension of the marriage law dates back to an incident five years ago when a young woman committed suicide after being forced by her parents to marry a foreigner.

“Since then all legal practitioners, including notaries, have not been allowed to officiate marriages between foreigners and Burmese women,” Kyaw Hoe said.

A well known Mandalay woman writer on social issues said Burmese should be free to marry whomever they wished. “I don't have any objection as long as it is not human trafficking,” she told The Irrawaddy, anonymously.

A representative of a Rangoon-based Myanmar Women Entrepreneurs' Association pointed out that Burmese women abroad had the right to marry whomever they liked.

A Burmese woman who married a foreigner 11 years ago and now lives in Thailand said: “What is most important is understanding and loyalty to each other. Race or religion don't matter.”

Customs Rules
Import regulations::

Free import:
- 200 cigarettes, 50 cigars or 1/2 lb. of tobacco;
- one quart of alcoholic liquor;
- one pint bottle of perfume or Eau de Cologne.
Additional Information on regulations::

All jewellery, electrical goods and cameras must be declared to customs at the airport. Video cameras will be kept in safe custody at the airport and will be returned on departure.
Export regulations::

The export of tobacco products and alcoholic beverages is only allowed with a licence. Travel souvenirs and all imported goods require an export permit.
Crew members customs regulations::

Same regulations as for passengers apply.
Pets::

Pets may accompany passenger provided they are accompanied by a health certificate.
Baggage Clearance regulations::

Baggage is cleared at the international airport in Myanmar.


Airport Embarkation Tax

Airport Tax is levied on all passengers leaving Myanmar on international flights: USD 10.-.
Place of payment: Yangon Airport.
Exempt:
1. Transit passengers who continue their journey by the same aircraft.
2. Crew members on duty.



Currency rules

Local currency (Myanmar Kyat-MMK): prohibited from both import or export.
Currency Import regulations:

Foreign currencies: unlimited, provided declared upon arrival. Additional information: Alien residents of Myanmar (including foreigners entering Myanmar on a visa for a period of stay exceeding six months) and nationals of Myanmar must change their imported foreign currencies within one month after arrival at an authorized dealer/money changer.
Currency Export regulations:

Residents: foreign currencies: up to the equivalent of MMK 50.-; Non-residents: foreign currencies: if staying in Myanmar
- during 6 months or less: up to the amount imported and declared. Only 1/4 of foreign currencies changed into MMK may be reconverted when leaving Myanmar. If traveller's cheques are cashed, only 1/4 of last cheque may be reconverted.
- more than 6 months: up to the equivalent of MMK 50.-.

23. With respect to donation of the eye, which is part of the body organ, it shall be carried out in accordance with the provisions contained in the Eye Donation Law.
24. The Ministry of Health may form necessary working committees.
25. The Ministry of Health:- (a) shall bear the expenditures of the Committee; (b) shall undertake to carry out theoffice work of the 'Committee.26. No suit or prosecution shall lie against the person who is authorized to remove the body organ for any activity which is done in good faith under this Law.
27. The provisions contained in section 21 shall not apply to the matters carried out in accordance with the terms and conditions prescribed by the Committee.
28. For the purpose of carrying out the provisions of this Law': -
(a) the Ministry of Health may issue such rules and procedures as may be necessary, with the approval of the Government;
(b) the Committee and the Ministry of Health may issue such notifications, orders and directives as may be necessary.

21. Whoever sells or buys the body organ for consideration shall, on conviction, be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to three years, and may also be liable to a fine.
22. Whoever abets the commission of the offence provided in section 21 shall. on conviction, be punished with imprisonment for a term wh~chmay extend to three years, and may also be liable to a fine.

19. The receiving unit shall store the body organ which is removed in accordance with the stioulations.
20. The receiving unit shall carry out the following in accordance with the stipulations : -
(a) distribution of the body organ that has been received for transplant;
(b) distribution of the body organ which is of no use in transplant for educational purpose or research.