Myanmar’s exports outperformed imports in the cross-border trade with Bangladesh, with exports worth US$5.4 million and imports worth $0.936 million as of 18 August in the 2023-2024 financial year beginning 1 April, the Ministry of Commerce’s statistics showed.
Myanmar’s fishery exports accounted for 65 per cent and exports of dried groceries constituted 35 per cent at two border posts with Bangladesh: Sittway and Maungtaw border posts. The fishery products include farmed rohu, hilsa, mackerel, dried anchovy and dried fish meal. Tamarind, onion, ginger, dried jujube powder, jaggery, longyi and clothes are also exported.
Myanmar sent tamarind, palm paste and fresh ginger valued at $0.0582 million to Bangladesh via the Sittway border between 19 and 22 August, while no import was seen at the border.
On 21-22 August, Myanmar carried out a border trade worth $0.168 million with Bangladesh via the Maungtaw checkpoint. Various fisheries including live mud crab, live mussels, frozen crab, salted fish, live prawn, banana, onion and fresh chilli pepper were the main export items, whereas fruit, canned fish and ceramic tiles were imported.
The capacity of Yangon-Sittway Road can only accommodate 12-wheel trucks in the rainy season. There are about 70 nautical miles between Myanmar and Bangladesh. Yet, maritime trade is conducted depending on the weather forecast in the monsoon season. — TWA/KK
