Driver-substitution system given green light for Myanmar trucks through Kyinsankyawt-Wang Ding

Myanmar trucks are allowed for border-crossing through the Kyinsankyawt-Wang Ding trade channel under the driver-substitution system starting from 16 May 2022, said U Min Thein, vice-chair of the Muse Rice Wholesale Centre-MRWC.
“Over 30 Myanmar trucks are in queue to enter China. The number of trucks will gradually increase. Those cargo trucks directly come from Yangon and Mandalay cities,” he elaborated.
However, detailed procedures and truck regulations have not been released yet.
Prior to 16 May, China banned Myanmar trucks and drivers to enter its side because of the COVID-19 protocols and only Chinese short-haul drivers are allowed to transport the goods.
As a result of this, the cost of Chinese short-haul trucking tremendously rose to K10 million per truck, whereas the trucking was worth only K700,000-K800,000 when Myanmar truckers were allowed to enter China.
Myanmar sees a big slump in exports. The number of trucks to China through the Kyinsankyawt border post drastically dropped from 400 to 30 for now.
Therefore, the volume of rice and broken rice export plunges from 60,000 to 4,000 bags per day, U Min Thein stressed.
The permit of the driver-substitution system slashed transport costs. However, it will take time to return to trade normality in the Muse border, he continued.
“It will take some time to go back to normality in the Muse land border. At present, Myanmar trucks are given the go-ahead to enter China side. This move will help reduce Chinese short-haul trucking costs from K10 million to K1 million,” the MRWC vice-chair added.
China shut down all the checkpoints linking to the Muse border amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. Of the checkpoints, Kyinsankyawt has resumed trading activities from 26 November on a trial run. Myanmar daily delivers rubber, green gram, chilli pepper, onion, mango and other food commodities to China through the Kyinsankyawt crossing.
Myanmar has opened five border trade zones with China – Muse, Lweje, Kampaiti, Chinshwehaw and Kengtung. The majority of trade is carried out through the Muse land border, the Ministry of Commerce’s data indicated. — NN/GNLM