Export products to China drop by half because of closure of Man Wein checkpoint

Myanmar export products including rice and broken rice to China have dropped by more than half because of the closure of Man Wein checkpoint, said Muse rice wholesale centre vice-chairman U Min Thein.
Since 30 March, the Man Wein checkpoint has been closed because the COVID-19 outbreak is ongoing in bilateral trading points between Myanmar and China.
The Man Wein checkpoint is mainly trading the rice and broken rice, pulses, aquatic products, onion and chili.
Because of the closure of Man Wein check point, Myanmar products exported to China through Man Wein checkpoint are now being traded through Kyin San Kyawt (Wan Ding) checkpoint.
Earlier, about 250 truckloads of Myanmar products entered China through Man Wein checkpoint and now only 60 truckloads are entering China, he added.
“China started a driver replacement system in April 2020 after COVID-19 outbreak started. At that time, about 250 trucks entered China daily. Myanmar exports rice and broken rice, corn, pulses, chili, onion and aquatic products mostly.
Now, only 60 truckloads of Myanmar products except melons entered China through Kyin San Kyawt (Wan Ding) checkpoint, said U Min Thein.
Consequently, export of all the food stuff to China through the Kyin San Kyawt checkpoint has been delayed, he added.
Currently, the Man Wein checkpoint has been closed for over one month because of COVID-19 and it has not been planned to reopen yet, according to the Muse 105th Mile Trade Zone, the Trade Department under the Ministry of Commerce.
With the declining number of COVID-19 positive patients in the Kyalgaung area, the lock down restriction imposed on the Kyalgaung area has been lifted starting from 4 May. But, the observation is still going on for another three more months. As a result, the Man Wein checkpoint has not been planned to reopen.
Further, in coordination with the Shweli Foreign Relations Department, the Man Wein checkpoint has not been reopened yet and it will be reopened only after drawing the detailed plan, according to the Muse 105th Mile Trade Zone, the Trade Department.
Therefore, the relevant traders will be informed if there is an official notification from China to reopen the gate.
The five land borders linking China with Myanmar are Muse in northern Shan State, Lwejel in Kachin State, Chinshwehaw in northeastern Shan State, Kampaiti in Kachin State and Kengtung in eastern Shan State, according to the Ministry of Commerce. —NN/GNLM