Myanmar’s trade with Thailand at the Tachileik border crossing has seen a rise in total volume by $6.471 million (K6.471 billion) in the second quarter of this year compared with the same period last year.
Export volume stood at $1.552 million and imports at $23.269 million in the second quarter, compared to $4.022 million and $14.328 million respectively during the same period last year.
Despite a $2.47 million fall in export volume, imports surged by $8.941 million, contributing to an overall rise in trade volume.
“The plunge in exports was caused by the government’s ban on timber log exports,” said U ThienTunOo, director of the Trade Center at the border crossing.
Other border trade hubs are also yet to see satisfactory levels of exports. In response, the government is planning to set up a state and regional centre to promote exports.
“We are setting up central trade hubs to expand markets and to connect products with good potential with international markets to address the export issue. We also encourage traders to produce high-quality, value-added products,” said Daw Mya Mya Sein, deputy director of the Trade Promotion Central Department.
A total of 160 types of products are permitted for export, while 242 types are permitted for import, at Tachileik trade hub. Consumer goods, diesel, gasoline and cement account for most of the imports at the border crossing.
