CNI News

1 Feb 2023

The China-Myanmar border trade has boomed after the Chinese New Year, approaching to the pre-pandemic level, according to merchants in Muse.

All border gates along the China-Myanmar border have been reopened including immigration checkpoints.

As COVID-19 restrictions have been lifted, China-Myanmar border trade will boom in 2023, Vice Chairman U Min Thein of Muse Rice Exchange told the CNI.

Trucks being sprayed with disinfectant.

He said, "The Chinese New Year has ended. Border trade will grow much more than previous years in 2023. Trade was hindered by COVID-19 last year. Now, the restrictions have been lifted. People are coming to Muse to go to work in China. However, border passes are issued only for residents of Muse. So, people from other towns have to wait. I think border trade with China will improve in 2023."

However, Man Wain Gate, one of the main gates for border trade, is being opened only for six-wheel trucks due to traffic jams in Muse, according to merchants in Muse.

Container trucks are allowed to pass through Kyin San Kyawk gate, which is usually used for fruit exports, but there will be no difficulties for fruit trucks, U Sai Khin Maung of Khwar Nyo Fruit Exchange told the CNI.

A truck carrying fruits.

He told the CNI, "As China has opened all the gates, about 200 or 300 trucks can enter China every day. However, the border trade has not increased significantly. Trade is normal and there are no traffic jams. Fruit trade has not been hampered. However, there are unforeseeable risks on both sides of the border. Now, China has opened all gates and lifted all restrictions. I think the situation will improve gradually.

After the Chinese New Year, the border trade have returned to normal and about 100 watermelon trucks pass into China, which imports other commodities like pulses and beans, corn and sesame as usual.

As China has issued licenses to import large volumes of rice from Myanmar, rice exports will boom this year, according to merchants in Muse.