Myanmar does not have an official measurement system. Government websites use either imperial or metric units, and sometimes both. In 2011 and 2013, the Ministry of Commerce announced that it was preparing to adopt the metric system, but this never happened.

A recent discussion in the Lower House of parliament may be a sign that this will finally change.

Lower House MP Thandar from Einme Township, Ayeyawady Region, asked deputy education minister Win Maw Htun yesterday whether the Ministry of Education had any plans to take action against inconsistencies in the way rice volumes are measured in wholesale markets, where traditional units of measurement are still in wide use.

The deputy minister replied that the ministry is working to design a “metrology bill,” which will establish standard measurement units for the country.

“We’re working on a metrology bill to designate standard units throughout the country. We are cooperating with experts from home and abroad,” he said.

He added that the law would include a provision for the establishment of a laboratory that would work to standardize measuring equipment around the country.

However, he did not say whether the new system would be the metric or imperial system.

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