Daily Archives: April 26, 2021

MUSE border trade virtually hangs down because of coronavirus outbreak in the border market, said U Min Thein, the vice-chairman of Muse Rice Wholesale Centre. On 29 March, a Myanmar national was found to be COVID-19 positive in Kyauk Wine market in Kyaigaung. The next day, China restricted the border crossing at the Mang Wein checkpoint, which is one of major border crossings between Muse and Kyaigaung. Consequently, the main export stuffs namely rice and broken rice, pulses, aquatic products, onion and chilli to China through Mang Wein checkpoint were 100 per cent suspended.

Although the export items are allowed through other checkpoints Wan Ding and Kyin San Kyawt, the inspection over the products has been tightened starting from 20 April because of pandemic. Currently, the export of such products as rice, broken rice, green gram, aquatic products, onion and chilli are halted 100 per cent at Muse border checkpoint. The watermelon and muskmelon are still exported via Kyin San Kyawt checkpoint. However the trade of watermelon and muskmelon are down 90 per cent than previously because the health checks are more stringent than earlier at Kyin San Kyawt checkpoint.

According to the statement of the People’s Republic of China Yunnan COVID-19 prevention team prevention on 19 April said that any of 30 sample items from an export truck to China were needed to undergo COVID-19 test starting from 20 April. The COVID-19 test on each sample item will cost 60 Yuans. The costs will be borne by the owner of the cargos. The export products will only be allowed to discharge the day after the COVID-19 test proves negative. Besides, the traders and cargo handlers will have to undergo COVID-19 tests daily and the cost is 60 Yuans per person. Likewise, people are allowed to enter the workplace only after having the medical record, checking the body temperature and wearing the masks and gloves. The workers and staff have to stay in the restricted areas from 9 pm to 8 am. Those who are disobedient of the rules will be deported. As a result, some export cargos to China through Muse border trade seem to be suspended 90 per cent while some export items are suspended 100 per cent.

Source: The Global New Light of Myanmar

MYANMAR’S Trade Department under the Ministry of Commerce has notified that four food commodities are temporarily restricted for import via the Myanmar-Thailand border starting from 1 May, Myawady Trade Zone reported. The restricted items include various beverages, coffee mix and tea mix, instant coffee, and condensed milk and evaporated milk. However, they can be imported through maritime trade. Traders stressed that it would add more extra transport costs. Moreover, it causes price hikes in the retail market at present. The value of Myanmar’s bilateral trade with the neighbouring country Thailand through the land border has registered a decrease of US$370.79 million between 1 October and 2 April of the current financial year 2020- 2021 as against a year-ago period the statistics issued by the Ministry of Commerce indicated. The ministry reported that exports surpassed imports in trade with Thailand this year, with exports reaching over $1.3 billion and imports valued at over $589.7 million, totaling $1.9 billion.

Myawady border performed the best among seven border points between Myanmar and Thailand, having a trade value of $729.46 million. During the corresponding period of the past FY2019-2020, Myanmar-Thailand border trade touched a high of $2.28 billion. During the last FY, Myanmar has increasingly exported corns to Thailand through the Myawady border. Myanmar’s corn exports to Thailand significantly soared to over 1.2 million tonnes through border posts between Myanmar and Thailand during October and May period in the FY2019-2020, said an official of the Ministry of Commerce. At present, Myanmar exports the corn to Thailand through Myawady and Tachilek land border. About 5,000-6,000 tonnes of corn are daily sent to Thailand through Myawady, while Tachilek border does not regularly export. Myanmar is allowed for corn export between 1 February and 31 August with Form-D, under zero tariff.

Thailand imposed 73 per cent of tax on corn import to protect the rights of their growers if the corns are imported during the corn season of Thailand, according to the notification of the World Trade Organization regarding corn import of Thailand, said a corn exporter. Myanmar intends to reach an export target of one million tonnes of corn to Thailand this year, Myanmar Corn Industrial Association stated. Additionally, exports of natural gas from the Taninthayi Region has contributed to the enormous increase in border trade with Thailand in the previous years. This year, gas exports via the Hteekhee border drastically fell. There are seven border posts between Myanmar and Thailand, Tachilek, Myawady, Kawthoung, Htikhee, Myeik, Mawtaung and Meisei. Except for Tachilek and Myawady, the remaining border posts showed a decrease in the trade this FY. Myanmar primarily exports natural gas, fishery products, coal, tin concentrate (SN 71.58 per cent), coconut (fresh and dry), beans, and bamboo shoots to Thailand. It imports capital goods such as machinery, raw industrial goods such as cement and fertilizers, consumer goods such as cosmetics and food products from the neighbouring.

Source: The Global New Light of Myanmar

According to the Chin Shwe Haw Chamber of Commerce, the closure of the Chin-Shwe-Haw border checkpoint, which is a cross-border trade between Burma and China, has halted the export of Myanmar agricultural products and fertilizers and metal products imported from China. The gate was closed on April 16, citing the Chinese side as saying that the virus was found on April 16. The Chin Shwe Haw border gate will be reopened on May 15. It will be closed for a month. They also say that it will shut down again if the virus is found again, depending on the virus. There are more than 400 cars here on the side of Myanmar, and more than 100 cars have entered the Chinese side. This is the export of goods from Myanmar. On the Chinese side, they have more than 300 imported goods coming to Myanmar. 

On the morning of 22nd April,2020, the last 147 cars have been unloaded. About 420 cars on the next road coordinate with traders. The gate is closed for a month, so will the goods be dropped off at Chin Shwe Hall or they negotiate with the traders to return the goods to Muse and Lwe Kyi, some put it down. However, few cars were ordered to return to Muse and Lwa Kyi. Mandalay collapsed again. People are in a lot of trouble. In addition, a trader from Chin Shwe Haw said, it is uncertain whether it will be reopened. So that all people have to endure it and prepare mental strength, manpower and financially.

Pulses from Burma at Chin Shwe Haw border gate sesame, corn dried chillies; agricultural products such as betel nut and sugarcane are being exported. Iron ring Soup powder Etc. are being imported. The items banned by China’s COVID-19 defense force include commercial vehicles and agricultural products, raw vegetables and small local pumpkins, and sugarcane. The Yunnan provincial government has closed the two border checkpoints in Muse due to the COVID-19 disease, and the Yunnan COVID-19 National Guard issued a strict entry and exit rules in a statement issued on April 19. Traders are also worried that the border with China will soon be closed again due to the COVID-19 virus.

Source: The Global New Light of Myanmar