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Kyinsankyawt border sees abolition of driver-substitution system

Driver-substitution system has been put an end at Kyinsankyawt checkpoint of Muse trade zone for Sino-Myanmar trade from 18 February 2023, said Sai Khin Maung of Khwarnyo Fruit Trading Centre.
Consequently, drivers are allowed to directly pass the border point with their own trucks, by holding a valid border pass. “Myanmar’s truck drivers were given the go-ahead to pass Kyinsankyawt road part from 18 February 2023. They must hold blue border pass documents. That being so, there is no longer short-haul driver service on China’s side,” Sai Khin Maung continued.

Earlier, China banned Myanmar trucks and drivers to enter its side owing to the COVID-19 protocols and only Chinese short-haul drivers have been allowed to transport the goods. Thereafter, Myanmar trucks have been given green light for border-crossing through the Kyinsankyawt-Wang Ding trade channel under the driver-substitution system starting from 16 May 2022. There was no responsibility and accountability if goods were damaged under the driver-substitution system. Therefore, Myanmar exporters choose short-haul driver services and bear high freight costs.

China shut down all the checkpoints linking to the Muse border amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. Of the checkpoints, Kyinsankyawt has resumed trading activity from 26 November 2021. Trade activity at the Muse-Mang Wein border, which performed the majority of trade between Myanmar and China, resumed on 14 January 2023. However, only six-wheel trucks driven by Myanmar drivers are allowed to pass the Mang Wein crossing. Other trucks and travellers are still not entitled to enter the border.

Additionally, other goods except for agricultural products (watermelon, muskmelon), minerals and fisheries products are allowed to be sent to China through that border. Meanwhile, China gives the go-ahead to the imports of construction goods, electrical appliances, medical devices, industrial equipment, consumer goods, household goods and food products only through that border. Myanmar has opened five border trade posts with China – Muse, Lweje, Kampaiti, Chinshwehaw and Kengtung. The majority of the trade is carried out through Muse post, Ministry of Commerce’s data indicated. 

Source: The Global New Light of Myanmar

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