June 12, 2020
Trade between Myanmar and China through the Muse border drastically plunged in the early outbreak of coronavirus and it has rebounded starting from May-end, said an official of the Muse-Namkham Border Trade Chamber of Commerce.
“The bilateral trade currently grows compared with the previous months. More than 500 trucks of imported/exported goods are flowing in and out of the Muse border. Myanmar primarily sends green grams, butter beans, various beans, mangoes, frozen fish and other export items, while motorcycles, peanut oil, mobile handsets, construction machines and auto parts are imported, said vice president 1 U Tun Oo of Muse-Namkham Border Trade Chamber of Commerce.
It takes a week to arrive China’s Mang Weing from Muse 105-mile trade zone, driving the prices of import items up, the chamber stated. To avoid unnecessary price hike, the two countries need to negotiate trade facilitation measures, the vice president pointed out.
At present, 20 truck drivers have been selected from two countries after coronavirus testing to conduct the border trade. The driver substitution system between Myanmar and China truck drivers are being practised at Mang Weing checkpoint. It means that China allowed only their designated drivers, who substitute the original drivers, to enter the crossing. “The traffic congestions occur both on two sides; Muse and Kyalgaung borders, causing a long queue on the road,” said Police Deputy Superintendent Chit Sein of No 123 Traffic Police Force (Muse).
About 1,000 trucks are queuing to enter China’s Kyalgaung border crossing; and so, trucks are waiting in long queues to leave for Myanmar either. —Salai Vanro Than (IPRD (Translated by Ei Myat Mon)
