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Myanmar: Traders seek more regional export markets via Thailand

Myanmar should consider exporting agriculture products such as rice, nuts, beans and nuts to Malaysia via Thailand, said Daw Thin Thin Myat, chair of Myawaddy Border Traders Association.  

Currently, these products are being exported only to Laos and Vietnam via Thailand. The government does not have an agreement with the Malaysian government, but one should be explored to extend the reach of Myanmar’s overland exports via Thailand, she said at the latest meeting between the government and Private Sector Development Committee.

Currently, export volumes to Thailand at the Myawady border are much lower than import volumes from Thailand, said Daw Thin Thin Myat. Between October 1, 2018 and August 16, 2019, exports from Myanmar to Thailand totaled US$181 million, while imports from Thailand to Myanmar totalled US$648 million. 

As such, more should be done to raise exports to Thailand, she said.

Importantly, Myanmar truckers also face difficulties when transporting goods back from Thailand, as under current cross border transport arrangements with its neighbour, Myanmar trucks are not permitted to enter Thailand without cargo. This has made it hard for Myanmar traders to transport good purchased in Thailand back into Myanmar. – Translated

Source: https://www.mmtimes.com/news/traders-seek-more-regional-export-markets-thailand.html