NEWSLETTER 234 – 24 April 2026

Dear Readers,
Welcome to a new edition of our newsletter.

1. State of emergency and martial law prolonged in 60 townships, lifted in 3

Several ordinances and orders of which English translations were published in today’s edition of The Global New Light of Myanmar prolonged the state of emergency and the declaration of martial law in the following 60 townships for 90 days:

Kachin State: Sumprabum, Shwegu, Injangyang, Hsawlaw, Chipwi
Kayah State: Shadaw, Hpasawng, Mese
Kayin State: Kawkareik, Kyainseikgyi
Chin State: Kanpetlet, Thantlang, Paletwa, Tonzang, Mindat, Matupi, Falam
Sagaing Region: Kawlin, Pinlebu, Khin-U, Wetlet, Kani, Depayin, Pale, Indaw
Magway Region: Pauk, Myaing, Saw, Htilin, Yesagyo
Mandalay Region: Ngazun
Rakhine State: Ramree, Pauktaw, Ponnagyun, Rathedaung, Gwa, Maungdaw, Buthidaung, Kyaukphyu, Minbya, Mrauk-U, Myebon, Thandwe, Ann, Taungup
Shan State: Namtu, Mabein, Kutkai, Namhkam, Hsipaw, Kunlong, Namhsan, Mantong, Hopang, Laukkai, Konkyan, Mongmit, Kyaukme, Hsipaw, Mongla

The state of emergency and the declaration of martial law were not prolonged in Htigyaing in Sagaing Region and in Mogok and Singu in Mandalay Region, all townships that the military took back in counter-offensives.

“Martial law” means that all administrative and judicial functions are carried out under the command of the regional military commander who may, among others, establish military courts to summarily try civilians for a broad array of listed offences; the death penalty or life imprisonment may be imposed for any such offence.

2. Foreign Exchange Supervisory Committee reestablished

Following the establishment of a government as a result of the military-administered elections, the Foreign Exchange Supervisory Committee was (re-) established on 21 April 2026.

CONVENIENCE TRANSLATION – ACCURACY NOT GUARANTEED
Republic of the Union of Myanmar
Office of the President
Order No. 45/2026
1388, 6th Waxing Day of Kason
(21 April 2026)
Establishment of the Foreign Exchange Supervisory Committee

1. To carry out the tasks necessary to stabilise the foreign exchange rate and efficiently use foreign currency for the economic development of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar, the Foreign Exchange Supervisory Committee is hereby established with the following persons:

(a) Vice-President 1 Chairman

(b) Union Minister

Ministry of Finance and Revenue
Vice-Chairman

(c) Union Minister
Ministry of Commerce Member

(d) Auditor General
Office of the Auditor General of the Union Member

(e) Governor
Central Bank of Myanmar Member

(f) Union Minister
Ministry of National Planning, Investment and
Foreign Economic Relations Secretary

2. The duties of the Foreign Exchange Supervisory Committee are as follows:

(a) Reviewing and permitting the use of foreign currency needed for importing machinery, commercial vehicles, equipment and raw materials needed for manufacturing, etc., that are needed for investment activities and manufacturing activities in the country;

(b) reviewing and permitting the use of foreign currency needed for the purchase and import of items that are necessary for the livelihoods of people: fuel, pharmaceuticals, cooking oil, fertilisers, pesticides, construction materials that cannot be purchased locally, etc.;

(c) reviewing and permitting the use of foreign currency needed by citizens going abroad for social reasons: medical treatment, educational visits, religious visits, etc.;

(d) reviewing and permitting the use of foreign currency required for the import of general goods, the remittance abroad to repay loans and interest, pay service fees or remit profits from investments, etc.;

(e) reviewing and permitting the use of foreign currency for the import of social accessories and luxury goods only if necessary;

(f) supervising and controlling foreign currency transactions made for domestic and foreign investment activities, manufacturing industries, export/import businesses, and services businesses (including education and health) that exist in the country.

3. The Foreign Exchange Supervisory Committee shall furthermore carry out other duties as may be assigned in addition to foreign exchange supervisory duties.

Signed
Min Aung Hlaing
Chief Executive
Republic of the Union of Myanmar

Letter No.: 112 (1) / 8 / Office of the President
Date: 21 April 2026
Distribution: Office of the President (All offices/departments)

3. Tariff rate changes

On 30 March 2026, the Ministry of Finance and Revenue under the National Defence and Security Council increased the tariff (customs duty) rates on a long list of agricultural and industrial goods with effect from 1 May 2026.

On 18 March 2026, the same ministry decreased the tariff rates for (i) listed battery electric vehicles (BEV) imported via completely built up (CBU), completely knocked down (CKD), or semi
knocked down (SKD) systems, and (ii) EV chargers, spare parts, and batteries for electric vehicles if they are accompanied by technical endorsements from the Ministry of Electric Power and endorsements from the Ministry of Industry. The changes are in effect from 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2027.

4. Application fees to establish copyright organisations benefitting the blind

On 20 April 2026, the Intellectual Property Agency announced the fees for establishing organisations authorised by the Intellectual Property Central Committee to provide, on a non profit basis, accessible literature or information, education, and training for the benefit of persons with visual impairments. The application fee to establish such an organisation is MMK 100,000, and the renewal fee is also MMK 100,000.

5. Seminar invitation

In the light of recent developments, we are inviting local NGOs and INGOs to an online seminar on Tuesday, 28 April 2026, from 2:30 pm to 4:00 pm, to discuss the following topics:

The new Registration of Associations Rules
Impact of the new Anti-Money Laundering Law on non-profits
Risks of transferring salary to a bank account in Thailand and alternatives
Terminating or not renewing fixed-term labour contracts
Any other topic that may come up until the seminar date or that you may wish to discuss

Please register by sending an e-mail to [email protected], stating the name of your organisation and the names of the participants. The seminar will be held in English and is free of
charge.

We hope that you have found this information useful.
Sebastian Pawlita
Managing Director

About Lincoln Consultancy (Myanmar) Limited

Lincoln Consultancy (Myanmar) Limited provides the full range of legal advisory (through our local lawyers), tax advisory and compliance work required by investors. We pride ourselves in offering result-oriented work, high dependability and a fast response time at very competitive prices. Please do not hesitate to contact us:

Sebastian Pawlita, Managing Director

E-Mail: [email protected]

Phone: +95-9-262546284 (English) or +95-9-886699332 (Myanmar)

Office address: No. 35 (D), Inya Myaing Road, Bahan Township, Yangon Region

Web: www.lincolnmyanmar.com