YANGON, Feb. 1 (Xinhua) -- Myanmar will continue to grant the import of used machinery this year as a special circumstance, aiming to reduce investment cost for industries, including small and medium-sized enterprises (SME), Myanmar News Agency reported Friday.

The Ministry of Commerce said in an announcement Thursday that the service life of the used machinery must not exceed more than 10 years and such second- hand machines must be imported according to procedures to prevent environmental damage due to piling of unusable machines in the country.

"However, if a machine has the service life of more than 10 years but is in good condition for local SMEs, it will be given preference," the statement said.

A pre-inspection certificate for the running condition, tested at the point of export six months before it arrives at the port, is also needed, the announcement added.