Thai-Myanmar border trade shows increase of $92 million

February 26, 2018

The value of trade through the Thai-Myanmar border gates reached US$1.26 billion between 1 April and 16 February of the current fiscal year (FY), which is some $92 million more compared with the same period last FY.

Of the seven Thai-Myanmar border gates, Myawady is the main hub for Thai-Myanmar trade, but the value of trade this FY was nearly $10 million less than last FY. Similarly, Hteekhee and Tachilek also showed a slight decline in trade. The other gates, however, registered an increase in trading activity. Further, exports via the Kawthoung and Myeik checkpoints significantly surpassed the imports.

The value of border trade was worth $74 million at Tachilek, $784 million at Myawady, $167 million at Kawthoung , $218 at Myeik, $11 million at Hteekhee, $6 million at Mawtaung and $0.76 million at Maese.

The Myawady gate sees a high volume of fishery exports daily. Nevertheless, the import of vehicles through the checkpoint ceased, owing to changes in the automobile policy.

Industrial machinery, trucks, agricultural equipment, tractors, motorcycles, cars, food and beverages, cosmetics, fuel oil, fertilisers, cement, construction materials and sugar for re-export are imported through the Myawady gate. Fish, prawns, crabs, onions, sesame, turmeric, herbs and forestry products are sent to Thailand.

Htet Myat

Ref; The Global New Light of Myanmar