14 April
Myanmar’s overseas trade with Thailand exceeded US$400 million in February, a decrease of $56 million, or 12 per cent, from this time last year, according to the latest monthly trade report issued by the Ministry of Commerce.
The total bilateral trade included some $250 million in exports and over $150 million in imports. When compared with last February, exports increased by over $20 million, however, imports decreased by over $78 million.
Last February, bilateral trade topped over $460 billion, with exports worth $226 million and imports $235 million.
During the first five months of Fiscal Year 2018-2019, Myanmar-Thailand bilateral trade exceeded $2 billion, including exports amounting to $1.2 billion and imports valued at $890 million.
Myanmar conducts trade with neighboring Thailand via maritime routes, as well as at border entry points. Goods are delivered mainly through seven border gates, including Tachilek, Myawady, Kawthoung, Myeik, Htikhee, Mawtaung, and Maese.
Marketable products delivered to the two countries include watermelon, pineapple, avocado and other fruits, onion, garlic and kitchen spices, dried tea leaves, manganese dioxide, jellyfish and eel, cement, construction equipment, leather, iron and steel products, soaps, medicines, cosmetics, food and beverages, stationery, footwear, clothing, and machinery.
During the 2018 mini-budget period between April and September, Myanmar-Thailand trade was recorded at $2.9 billion, with $1.6 billion in exports and $1.4 billion in imports. Total trade increased by more than $500 million, compared with the same time last FY, when Myanmar-Thailand trade stood at $2.5 billion.
According to the ministry’s annual statistical report, Myanmar-Thailand bilateral trade was registered at $5 billion in the 2017-2018 FY, $4.3 billion in the 2016-2017 FY, $4.8 billion in the 2015-2016 FY, $5.7 billion in the 2014-2015 FY, $5.6 billion in the 2013-2014 FY, $4.7 billion in the 2012-2013 FY, and $4.5 billion in the 2011-2012 FY.
According to the Directorate of Investment and Company Administration (DICA), Thailand’s new investments in Myanmar in the current FY reached over $97 million from five projects. During the 2018 mini-budget period, Thai investments reached some $64.6 million. In the 2017-2018 FY, Thailand made investments worth almost $123.8 million throughout the country.—Shwe Khine (Translated by Khaing Thanda Lwin)
