Value of trade via Muse border trade zone on the decline

The value of trade via the Muse border trade zone was on the decline as of 4 March in the mini-budget financial period, according to the official statistics of the Ministry of Commerce.
The value of trade via Muse in this mini-budget year amounted to US$579.48 million, whereas in the same period of last FY the figure was $3.09 billion, a slump of over $1.92 billion.
Between 1 October 2021 and 4 March 2022, Myanmar’s exports to China through the Muse land border were valued at $555.52 million, while imports are worth $23.9 million. The trade showed a slump in both exports and imports against the year-ago period.
China shut down all the checkpoints linking to the Muse border amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. The checkpoints next to the Muse border are Nantaw, Sinphyu, Mang Wein (Kyalgaung), Kyinsankyawt-Wang Ding and Panseng-Wang Ding.
Of the checkpoints, Kyinsankyawt has resumed trading activity from 26 November on a trial run. Myanmar daily delivers rubber, various beans and pulses, dried plum, watermelon, muskmelon and other food commodities to China through Kyinsankyawt with the use of a Chinese short-haul trucking service.
Exports to China through Muse are made up largely of agricultural produce like rice, beans and fruits, while Myanmar imports medicines, electronics and construction materials via the overland route. —ACM