The Trade Department under the Ministry of Commerce (MoC) announced on 11 April that it has given the go ahead for container shipping to operate between Yangon, Kawthoung, and Ranong for Myanmar-Thailand border trade.
State media reported that the decision was made to facilitate fast and smooth border trade flow between Myanmar and Thailand.
The decision comes as fighting continues to disrupt trade at the Myawaddy-Mae Sot border.
Sources told Daily Eleven that the Thailand-Myanmar Friendship Bridge No. 2 is currently closed as fighting broke out near the bridge on 20 April.
The same outlet later reported that as of the morning of 21 April, temporary border passes can no longer be used to cross the Myanmar-Thailand Friendship Bridge No. 1.
A bridge authority told the outlet that the bridge remained open and passport holders are permitted to cross. The restriction only applies to those using temporary border passes.
Myawaddy is one of Myanmar’s most important border trade posts, but the volume of trade traded through the town has declined in recent months as a result of the ongoing conflict.
During FY2023/24, exports were valued at some $320.04m, which was a 55.75% drop compared to the previous financial year, according to Ministry of Commerce data.
Imports were also down 37.42% to $827.19m.
Through Kawthaung, imports were up 63.93% to $40.63m in FY2023/24. Exports were down 6.09% to $193.75m.
