THE border trade through Myawady-Maesot between Myanmar and Thailand remains normal although Thailand ordered restrictions in Maesot, according to Myawady Chamber of Commerce. Myawady border trade
did not halt owing to the restriction orders by Thailand. Myanmar trucks cannot enter Maesot, but trucks from Thailand come and pick up the goods at Myawady post, the chamber stated. We have experienced trade
suspension via Myawady in October. The halt in trading undoubtedly harms the traders and truck drivers from both sides. It is good that trade does not stop at present, said a trader from Myawady.
Trade between Thailand and Myanmar via the Myawady border between 1 October and 18 December in the current financial year 2020-2021 plunged to US$199.959 million from $238.639 million registered in the year-ago period, according to the data from the Ministry of Commerce. During the last financial year, Myanmar has increasingly exported corns to Thailand through Myawady border crossing. Myanmar’s corn exports to Thailand significantly soared to over 1.2 million tonnes through land borders between Myanmar and Thailand during October and May period in the 2019-2020FY, said an official of the Ministry of Commerce.
Myanmar is prepping for corn export to Thailand under zero-tariff starting from 1 February 2020, said U Min Khaing, chairman of Myanmar Corn Industrial Association. There are seven border posts between Myanmar and Thailand, Tachilek, Myawady, Kawthoung, Hteekhee, Myeik, Mawtaung and Maese. Myanmar primarily exports corn, natural gas, fishery products, coal, tin concentrate (SN 71.58 percent), 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 country.
Source: The Global New Light of Myanmar