CNI News

30 January 2024

The Myanmar-Laos Friendship which has been closed for four years due to the Covid-19 pandemic reopened on 25th January 2024 reportedly. The products from Myanmar could be exported to China and Thailand through the bridge, said traders.

However, if the products from Myanmar were exported to China and Thailand through Laos, the cost would be higher. As the permit for the Myanmar corns which are being exported to China has expired, corn exporters could no longer use the bridge, Ko Sai Kham, a corn trader from Tachileik, told CNI News.

" If you go from the Kenglat Bridge or Friendship Bridge which has reopened now as well, your goods have to be sold to China. During the validity period of the permit, exporters will go from Myla or Kengtung. If you go from Laos, it will cost you more. But because the bridge has reopened, nearby people from the two countries will benefit. Visits or trading local products can be conducted." he said.

Because of the re-opening of the Myanmar-Laos friendship bridge, it can help the tourism industry a lot although there is a little trade between Myanmar and Laos reportedly.

Vehicles passing on the Myanmar-Laos Friendship Bridge

Because the flow of goods between Laos and Myanmar was just a little, it was possible to carry out bilateral communication issues, U Thet Zaw, an economic commentator, told CNI News.

" There is a little trade through the bridge between Laos and Myanmar. The bridge had been closed in the past. There may be expectations ahead. It has reopened so as not to cut the bilateral communication for the time being, I think." he said.

Myanmar-Laos Friendship Bridge has been built to link Xieng Kok in Laos with Kenglat Town, Tachileik District in eastern Shan State, Myanmar, which opened on 20 November 2018. However, the trade through the bridge was suspended after 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic reportedly.

Myanmar-Laos trade value was only 0.411 million dollars in the 2019-2020 fiscal year and there was no import from Laos, according to the Ministry of Commerce.