Trade via Hteekhee border rises by $273.67 mln in mini-budget period

Bilateral trade between Thailand and Myanmar through the Hteekhee border nearly the past five months reflected a significant increase of US$273.67 million as against a year-ago period.
Between 1 October and 18 February in the current mini-budget period, the figures soared to $776.18 million from $502 million registered in the previous financial year, according to data from the Commerce Ministry.
Exports of natural gas from the Taninthayi region have contributed to the enormous increase in trade through the Hteekhee border in the previous years, the Ministry of Commerce stated.
The border trade between Myanmar and Thailand is conducted through land borders — Myeik, Kawthoung, Tachilek, Myawady, Mawtaung, Hteekhee and Meisei.
Myawady border post also witnessed a sharp rise in trade value on account of the steady corn exports at the moment.
Myanmar primarily exports natural gas, fishery products, coal, tin concentrate (SN 71.58 per cent), coconut (fresh and dry), beans, corns and bamboo shoots to Thailand. It imports capital goods such as machinery, raw industrial goods such as cement and fertilizers, and consumer goods such as cosmetics and food products from the neighbouring country. — KK/GNLM