The volume of trade has dropped at border trade centers in Tachilek, Myawady and Kawkthaung, according to the Ministry of Commerce.
From 1 April to 1 September of fiscal year 2023-2024, the trade volume at Tachilek trade center was worth US$72.234 million with an amount less by US$0.467 million for the same period of the previous fiscal year.
In the 2023-2024 fiscal year from 1 April to 1 September the trade volume at Kawkthaung trade center was worth US$53.895 million with an amount less by US$20 million for the same period of the previous fiscal year.
Likewise for the period of 1 April to 1 September of fiscal year 2023-2024 the trade volume at Myawady trade center was worth US$675.055 million with an amount less by US$280 million for the same period of the previous fiscal year.
Border trade merchants said that the drop in trade volume at Myawady trade center had resulted from the damage to the road up the Dawna mountain range caused by heavy rains and regional instability.
One trader said that trade had slowed down due to the disruption of the road because of heavy rains, roads impassable because of landslides up the mountain and due to armed clashes. There had been halt in the transport of goods, he said. He further said that it was not possible to send duty-free maize to Thailand anymore and that there would be more reduction in trade volume.
