Border clashes halt Bangladesh-Myanmar trades

Trade activities between Bangladesh and Myanmar through the Naf river have been fully halted due to the ongoing conflicts between the Myanmar military junta and the Arakan Army (AA) in Maungdaw district of Rakhine State, reported  The Financial Express.

The disruptions in trades at Teknaf land port in Cox’s Bazar have resulted in heavy revenue losses for the Bangladesh government in Dhaka, added the newspaper report.

Myanmar usually exports items like wood, betel-nut, fish, ginger, turmeric, chili, onion, dried fish, rice, pulses and pickles from Maungdaw, Sittwe and other river ports through Teknaf.

On the other hand, Bangladesh exports plastic products, ready-made garments, chips, aluminium products, medicines, cosmetics and various food products through these ports.

In the fiscal year 2022-23, Dhaka earned Taka 76.3 million revenue from export-import activities through Teknaf land port.

During that financial year, Bangladesh imported nearly  200,000 tonnes and exported over 3,500 tonnes of goods.

Jasimuddin Chowdhury, general manager of the united land port  said that the escalation of conflicts along the Myanmar border created a climate of fear on the international border. It significantly impacted the volume of trades.

During the regular operation, 150-200 large engine boats transport goods every month through the river, but in the last few weeks it dwindled to 25-30.

The port and its jetty, once bustling with the activities of trucks and covered vans, now remain almost deserted, stated the financial newspaper.