The value of imports including consumer goods has plummeted, according to the statistics released by the Ministry of Commerce. Between 1 April and 2 September in the current financial year 2022-2023, goods worth $6.266 billion by sea and goods worth $884.948 million were imported into the country. Imports of consumer goods, capital goods, and raw materials by CMP businesses accumulated to US$7.151 billion.
In the corresponding period last FY, Myanmar imported goods worth $5.84 billion from foreign trade partners, with maritime imports valued at $4.614 billion and sea trade worth $1.226 billion. Import value by sea rose over the past five months compared to that of the year-ago period. Yet, import via cross-border trade was down by $341.561 million. The value of imports via land borders is attributed to the depreciation of Kyat against the currencies of neighbouring countries like China and Thailand, importers said. The exchange rate is currently estimated at K90 for a Thai Baht, K490 for Yuan and K3,500 for a US dollar in the local forex market.
Last August, Kyat drastically fell against the foreign currencies. Consequently, the imports were on the verge of suspension, traders stressed. At present, the prices of agricultural inputs such as fertilizer and fuel oil are soaring. Therefore, agricultural machinery and related equipment were exempted from obtaining an import licence from 1 September, the Trade Department under the Ministry of Commerce notified on 31 August. In a bid to support the country’s agricultural development and facilitate the imports of agricultural machinery, 70 HS lines concerning the agricultural machinery and equipment were eased from licensing requirements.
Source: The Global New Light of Myanmar