4 Sep
Myanmar depots in China are being shifted to Muse town, said U Min Thein, vice-chair of Muse rice depot. This is followed up by China notification issued on 25 August that the depots will be closed to protect China self-interest unless Myanmar depots partner with China, he added.
“The depots are gradually moving inside Myanmar. There are over 100 depots that belong to Myanmar traders in Kyal Gaung, border checkpoint of China. As per the official notification, they must extend their licences within ten days. Earlier, Myanmar depots were solely owned by Myanmar traders. It is said that China will hold 50 per cent of shares from now on. Myanmar traders do not want to share with them. These prompted Myanmar traders slowly pull their depots back in Muse,” he said. The return of depots to Muse will bring about job opportunities for local people. However, it will surely slow the trade, he pointed out.
“Earlier, we could directly send China’s goods to Myanmar on our own. Now, the goods will be stopped in Kyal Gaung and then, transported to the Myanmar side with China’s trucks. This is the problem we are currently facing,” he stressed. To tackle with this problem, relevant departments from Myanmar have been negotiating with Chinses authorities, said U Khin Maung Lwin, assistant secretary of the Ministry of Commerce.
“Having said that, Muse district administrators led the depot operators and the related associations to hold the coordination meeting. They called for five facts, including suspension of the order. Myanmar’s officials are trying to negotiate those with Chinese authorities,” he said. At present, building materials, CMP garment raw materials, pharmaceutical and food products are distributed through border depots in China.
By Nyein Nyein (Translated by Ei Myat Mon)
