Myanmar conducted border trade worth US$2 million with the neighbouring country Bangladesh via two checkpoints in September, according to the Rakhine State Chambers of Commerce and Industry (RSCCI).
Those border posts are Sittway (Shwemingan) and Maungtaw (Kanyinchaung) linking to Bangladesh. The Maungtaw border saw exports worth $1.425 million and imports valued at $0.004 million in September. Sittway border performed exports worth $0.518 million and no imports.
The export items are freshwater fish (rohu, Catla), dried Indian anchovy, areca nut, fresh ginger, plum jam, seedless plum, turmeric and tamarind.
Myanmar’s export to Bangladesh was estimated at $8.77 million in the H1 (April-September) of the current financial year 2023-2024.
Starting from September, fisheries products are conveyed to Bangladesh via the Sittway border.
Only agricultural produce and fisheries will be allowed for export via the Sittway border, as per the Trade Department under the Ministry of Commerce. This action is to ensure systematic border trade with Bangladesh and promote trade, according to the news bulletin (15/2023) released on 1 September.
The agro products and fisheries include rice and broken rice, various pulses, sesame, peanuts, onions, freshwater and saltwater fish.
It came into effect starting from 4 September, the Trade Department notified. — NN/EM
