Traders request reopening of Mang Wein in Muse border trade camp

The traders asked for the reopening of the closed Mang Wein checkpoint at the Muse border trade point, said U Min Thein, the chair of Muse 105th Mile Rice Wholesale Centre.
Some crossing on the China side have been closed because of COVID-19. The exports of Myanmar cargo are not available recently. That is why the traders are asking the authorities to reopen the closed broders as soon as possible, he added.
“Muse border trading will grow only after reopening the gates rapidly by China. If they are continually closing the crossing indefinitely, the Muse border trading will be halted completely. Thus, we requested the authorities to reopen the closed broders,” U Min Thein clarified.
On 29 March, a Myanmar national was found to be COVID-19 positive in the Kyauk Wine market in Kyalgaung.  The next day, China restricted the border crossing at the Mang Wein checkpoint, which is one of the major border crossings between Muse and Kyalgaung.
Subsequently, the main export stuff — rice and broken rice, pulses, aquatic products, onion and chilli to China through the Mang Wein checkpoint were 100 per cent suspended.
In the first wave of COVID-19, there is minor damage as China permits the passage of cargo trucks under the driver changing system but suspended the passing of travellers. Now, China doesn’t allow entry even though trucks can affect 100 per cent.
The five land borders linking China and Myanmar are Muse and in northern Shan State, Lwejel in Kachin State, Chin Shwehaw in northeastern Shan State, Kampaiti in Kachin State and Kengtung in eastern Shan State, according to the Ministry of Commerce.
However, Muse border sees an enormous volume and value of border trade with an estimated value of more than US$2.53 billion this FY between 1 October and 16 April, a decrease of over $35.3 million compared with the last year’s figures of $3.35 million, the Ministry of Commerce’s data showed. —NN