CNI News

16 November 2023

As battles are breaking out between the Tatmadaw and the Arakan Army (AA) in northern Rakhine State, Rakhine-Bangladesh trade has halted, according to traders. 

Due to the battles, roads and waterways have been closed starting from 13th November 2023, Rakhine State Administration Council stated. Because the trade has halted, perishable goods such as fresh water rohu, ginger and onion that were at the Sittwe Port and on the way were damaged, an official from the Rakhine State Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry, told CNI News.

" We can't do anything because all the roads and waterways. Perishable goods have been damaged. The good like fish, ginger and onion have gone bad.. The economy is more affected" he said.

While seeing weapons and ammunition seized by the AA after a battle between the Tatmadaw and the AA in Rakhine State

All the roads among towns and among villages have been closed and all entrances to Rakhine State from Ayeyarwady and Magway Regions have been closed reportedly.
It is reported that it is currently difficult to preserve freshwater rohu fish that has been brough to Sittwe in order to export them to Bangladesh in cold storage.

So, it was necessary to re-open the trade routes, U Maung Naing, a trader who is exporting aqua products to Bangladesh, told CNI News. 

" It is necessary to re-open the trade routes as soon as possible. Because the fish has been here for two days, freshwater fish can't be kept in the cold room. As soon as fuel is no more, they can't be freezed. And then the fish is damaged. No onw can buy a large amount of fish. Locals don't eat this kind of fish as well." he said.

While seeing an intersection in Rakhine State

Because all the roads and waterways have been currently closed in Rakhine State, Sittwe border trade is more affected than Maungdaw border trade, said traders. As aqua products and agricultural products were limited to be exported starting from last month, there is almost no trade at the Maungdaw border trade, said the traders from Maungdaw.

If the trade routes have been closed for long, locals are worried that commodity prices will be high and there will be shortages of goods.