Daily Archives: May 26, 2021

China shut the Man Wein checkpoint over one and half month ago, and it remains close in light of the COVID-19, vice-chairman U Min Thein of Muse Rice Wholesale Centre said. Coronavirus cases were detected in Shweli (Ruili) and Kyalgaung precious stone market during late March. It prompted China to restrict border access at the Man Wein checkpoint, a major border crossing between Myanmar and China. At present, the number of positive cases has dropped. Lockdown on the Kyalgaung area has been eased from 4 May.

However, it will be monitored for about three months. Consequently, there is no plan to reopen the Man Wein post. It is still closed. The border closure began on 30 March. Kyalgaung area will be kept under watch for three months even after lifting the lockdown. People still cannot confirm when the crossing will be reopened. Additionally, Man Wein border post is not available for now, according to the negotiation with Shweli’s Foreign Affairs Department. The border post will resume the trade only after drawing up a detailed project report, the Trade Department (Muse 105th mile trade zone) stated.

Once China lifts the restriction, the traders will be spontaneously informed. Owing to the Man Wein post’s closure, major export items such as rice, broken rice, various pulses, fishery products, onion and chilli are delivered to China through Kyin San Kyawt post, a major crossing for Myanmar’s fruit exports, U Min Thein added. However, shipping via Kyinsankyawt post caused traffic congestion and delay. The driver-substitution system was practised in the border area during the first wave of the COVID-19 and it helps lessen the impediments to the trade. Yet, the current restriction exacerbates the border trade, the Muse Rice Wholesale Centre stated. 

Source: The Global New Light of Myanmar

The value of Myanmar’s iron and steel imports for the construction sector is estimated at US$315.6 million in five months (Oct-Feb) of the current financial year, according to Myanmar Customs Department. The figures stood over US$1.19 billion in the past financial year 2019-2020, according to the statistics of the Ministry of Commerce. At present, Myanmar’s steel demand is estimated about 2.5 million tons per year, and 92 per cent are imported. According to MSA, the market is likely to grow up to 5.4 million tonnes per year in 2030.

If Myanmar can fulfil the requirements of local steel consumption and focus on import substitution, the steel industry will strategically contribute to the nation’s interests. Steel consumption includes in calculating economy growth index, Myanmar Steel Association (MSA) stated. Therefore, 11 executive members of MSA established MSA Public Company Limited. They are making efforts to set up iron and steel industrial zone in order to reduce the outflow of US dollar, effectuate the development of the steel industry and assist in the country’s infrastructure building.

Studies for implementing iron and steel industrial zone projects are underway in Ayeyawady and Taninthayi regions and Rakhine and Mon states. The government needs to support the steel sector by granting tax relief and land rights, controlling illegal import, making anti-dumping law come into an effort and formulating steel policy. The steel industry is pivotal in industrial infrastructure building. According to the MSA, this project needs to be implemented for future prospects of the country’s economy. China is the leading supplier of Myanmar’s steel market. Iron and steel are also imported from India and the Republic of Korea.

Source: The Global New Light of Myanmar

As of February of the 2020-2021 fiscal year, China was the largest importer of more than $ 2306 million in the top 10 importers. Singapore is worth more than $ 1,132 million and Thailand nearly $ 800 million, according to the Ministry of Commerce. From October to February of the 2020-2021 fiscal year, Myanmar was the largest importer of goods. Singapore Thailand Indonesia, Malaysia, India South Korea Japan Vietnam and the United States.

In the five months to February of the 2020-2021 fiscal year, the largest imports to Myanmar were from China at 2,306.71 million US dollars; $ 1,132.21 million from Singapore; $ 791.606 million from Thailand; 431.08 million from Indonesia; $ 395.16 million from Malaysia; $ 245.94 million from India; $ 198.84 million from South Korea; $ 171.39 million from Vietnam; Japan imported $ 167.97 million and the United States $ 107.81 million. From October to September of the 2019-2020 fiscal year, Myanmar-China trade amounted to $ 12126.278 million, with exports from Myanmar amounting to $ 5,401.943 million and imports from China worth $ 6,724.335 million.

In the 2019-2020 fiscal year, Myanmar-India trade amounted to more than $ 1.3 billion, down more than $ 130 million from the same period last year. From October 1 to the end of September of the 2019-2020 fiscal year, Myanmar exported $ 616.464 million worth of goods to India, while India imported $ 696.937 million worth of goods, with a total trade volume of $ 1,313.401 million.

In the first six months of the 2019-2020 fiscal year, Myanmar’s major trading partners were more than 33 percent with China; Thailand and 13.6 percent; Singapore 9.7%; Japan and 5.3 percent; India and 4%; Pyidaungsu Hluttaw, 34.3% trade with other countries Public Accounts Joint Committee; According to the Findings and Opinion Report No. (8/2020) regarding the first six months report of the National Plan for the fiscal year 2019-2020. From October 1 to the end of September of the 2019-2020 fiscal year, Myanmar’s exports were worth $ 3,095.988 million. According to the Ministry of Commerce, Thailand imported $ 5,109.479 million worth of goods worth US $ 2013.486 million.

Source: Daily Eleven