Myanmar’s kapok fibre attracts high demand from Bangladesh

Bangladesh made high demand for Myanmar’s kapok fibre. Myanmar conveyed only five tonnes of kapok fibre to Bangladesh through the Maungtaw border in the first half of the current financial year 2022-2023, according to the news released by the Ministry of Commerce.
The export volume decreased compared to 8.5 tonnes recorded in the past six-month 2021-2022 mini-budget period.
Myanmar’s export has been surpassing imports in the cross-border trade with Bangladesh.
The value of border trade between Myanmar has totalled US$17.569 million as of 10 October since April 2022, comprising exports worth $17.535 million and imports worth $0.034 million.
Myanmar’s fishery export accounted for 65 per cent and dried groceries constituted 35 per cent in Myanmar’s two border posts with Bangladesh; Sittway and Maungtaw border posts.
However, the border trade has come to a halt since September amid transport security concerns, according to the Maungtaw border post.
As a result of this, the trade volume via Sittway significantly increased.
Myanmar sent areca nut, rohu, coconut, jengkol, silver pomfret, anchovy, dried fish, broom, mushroom, ginger, onion, chickpea, dried plum, tamarind seed, footwear, lower garment (longyi), Thanaka, instant coffee mix, sunflower seed, kapok fibre and instant noodle to Bangladesh. Meanwhile, apparel, consumer goods, PVC pipes, plastic water storage tanks and hand-drawn pumps are imported into the country. – KK/GNLM