Name
Myanma Gems Enterprise
🇲🇲
Source
Switzerland - Sanctions List
Type
Entity
Aliases
Privacy Request
Additional Information
Addresses:
NO.70-072, Yarza, Thingaha Road, Thapyaygone Ward, Zabuthiri Township, Myanmar
Other information:
Type of entity: State-owned enterprise
Place of registration: Myanmar
Website: http://www.mge.gov.mm/
Justifications:
Myanmar Gems Enterprise (MGE) is a state-owned enterprise controlled by the Myanmar Armed Forces (Tatmadaw), responsible for drafting rules and regulations and for supervising and granting permits to local private entrepreneurs, organising emporiums and special sales for jade and gems. MGE operates under the instructions of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Conservation (MONREC), whose Minister has been appointed by the State Administrative Council (SAC).
The Myanmar Armed Forces (Tatmadaw) have, for a long time, held significant jade and gemstone interests, especially through MGE’s leadership, which consists almost entirely of former military officials, and activities conducted by two military conglomerates (Myanmar Economic Holdings Limited (MEHL) and Myanmar Economic Corporation Limited (MEC)). The coup of 1 February 2021 has put MGE back under military control, allowing the Tatmadaw to significantly control the gem sector. MGE generates revenue for different departments of the Myanmar State through its various activities described above, and the Tatmadaw is able to benefit directly or indirectly from the revenue generated by this sector. Therefore, MGE is contributing to the Tatmadaw’s capabilities to carry out activities undermining democracy and the rule of law and to serious human rights violations in Myanmar/Burma.