As Bangladesh decreases fish import from Myanmar, Rakhine border trades decline

Rakhine State's border trades with Bangladesh have declined drastically after Bangladesh has decreased freshwater fish imports from Myanmar, said Rakhine State Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RSCCI).

As of 15 September (on 2023-2024 fiscal year), the export capacity of border trade stations from Rakhine State (like Maungdaw Kanyin Chaung and Sittwe Shwe Min Gang stations) remains only worth USD 7.526 million, which is lower than the previous year.

In the last fiscal year on 15 September, the amount was USD 68.282 million.

RSCCI secretary U Aung Aung informed Narinjara News that the trades with Bangladesh have been declining after the cyclone Mocha hit Rakhine State. He expected that this month would be a little better for the traders belonging to both the neighbouring countries.

The fresh water fishes are exported to Bangladesh primarily through the Rakhine border trading posts. But since last March they have reduced the order of freshwater fishes and hence the trade value with Bangladesh has been decreased, said the Rakhine traders.

The exported fresh water fishes come from the large husbandries in the regions of Irrawaddy, Yangon and Bago.

A Maungdaw border trader informed that no fish export to Bangladesh is being carried from Maungdaw’s Kanyin Chaung border trade station in recent days.

"As Kanyin Chaung border trade station is not functioning, the Sittwe point remains active. Currently, the grocery items including cosmetics are being exported to Bangladesh but with a lower volume. There were four to five boats to ply to Bangladesh daily, but it’s only one boat moving,” he added.

The Rakhine border trade stations are now sending onions, ginger, dried plums and tamarind seeds to Bangladesh. In return, various plastic products and water tanks are being exported from Bangladesh to Myanmar.