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4/8/2021

Treasury Sanctions Key Gems Enterprise in Burma | U.S. Department of the Treasury

Treasury Sanctions Key Gems Enterprise in Burma
April 8, 2021

WASHINGTON — Today, the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s O ice of Foreign Assets
Control (OFAC) designated Myanma Gems Enterprise (MGE), a Burmese state-owned entity
that is responsible for all gemstone activities in Burma. Gemstones are a key economic
resource for the Burmese military regime that is violently repressing pro-democracy protests
in the country and that is responsible for the ongoing lethal attacks against the people of
Burma, including the killing of children. These sanctions are not directed at the people of
Burma.
“Today’s action highlights Treasury’s commitment to denying the Burmese military sources
of funding, including from key state-owned enterprises throughout Burma,” said Andrea
Gacki, Director of the O ice of the Foreign Assets Control. “The United States will continue to
work tirelessly, including with partners throughout the region and the world, to support the
restoration of democracy and rule of law in Burma and to bring accountability to those who
seek to undermine these values.”
MGE is designated pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 14014, “Blocking Property with Respect
to the Situation in Burma,” for being a political subdivision, agency, or instrumentality of the
Government of Burma.
Myanma Gems Enterprise is a state-owned enterprise operating under the Ministry of
Natural Resources and Environmental Conservation. MGE is a subdivision of the Ministry of
Mines, which is responsible for managing the mining and marketing of jade and other
gemstones. MGE is responsible for all functions relating to gemstones, including permitting,
licensing, enforcing the regulatory framework, participating in joint ventures on behalf of the
state, collecting royalties, and marketing of jade and gemstones in Burma. MGE is also
responsible for supervising and granting permits for local private individuals and companies
as well as organizing emporiums and special sales three times a year for gems and jade
extracted.
As a result of today’s action, all property and interests in property of the entity named above
that are in the United States or in the possession or control of U.S. persons are blocked and
https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/jy0115

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4/8/2021

Treasury Sanctions Key Gems Enterprise in Burma | U.S. Department of the Treasury

must be reported to OFAC. In addition, any entities that are owned, directly or indirectly, 50
percent or more by one or more blocked persons are also blocked.
Unless authorized by a general or specific license issued by OFAC, or otherwise exempt,
OFAC’s regulations generally prohibit all transactions by U.S. persons or within (or transiting)
the United States that involve any property or interests in property of designated or
otherwise blocked persons. The prohibitions include the making of any contribution or
provision of funds, goods, or services by, to, or for the benefit of any blocked person, or the
receipt of any contribution or provision of funds, goods, or services from any such person.
View more information on the persons designated today.
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https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/jy0115

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