CNI News
4 November 2024
Some sections of the Myawaddy-Kawkareik Road, a part of the Myanmar-Thailand border trade route, reportedly can be re-used. The Myawaddy-Kawkareik Road was not able to be used during the rainy season last year due to armed conflicts and bad weather.
However, the sections that were destroyed have been finished at present and because of successful negotiations of two rival organizations, they can be re-used starting from this week.
Before the Myawaddy-Kawkareik Asia Highway could be used, formerly used Dawna Mountain Road, Htokawko Road and Kyet U Taung Road were used to trade, vice chairman of the Myanmar Corn Industrial Association, U Thant Zin Tun told CNI News.
While seeing the condition of the Myawaddy-Kawkareik Road
" Old roads and jungle roads going from Kawkareik were used in the past. Now there are about four roads that can be used, including Kyet U Taung Road and the 1080 Road. For the time being, we haven't exported corn, using Myawaddy Road. In December 2024 and January 2025, we might carry corn so that it can reach Myawaddy in February 2025 if we still can use the Myawaddy Road. For the time being, it's not possible to carry it because the cost is high." he said.
In exporting onions through jungle roads, the cost has been high and because the Myawaddy-Kawkareik road sections can be re-used, the cost for trucks could be reduced by half, U Aung Sein, an onion trader from Myingyan, told CNI News.
While seeing the Myawaddy-Kawkareik trade zone
" When it was raining heavily, a viss would be paid 700 kyats if we used the road, but according to the current situation, the cost have been saved by half from using this road. But 18 or 22 wheel trucks haven't been able to go yet because it's a short cut. We can use 12 wheel trucks. If we can go to Myawaddy straightly in 12 wheel trucks, the cost will be saved by half. Now, truck fare is 300 or 350 kyats per viss from Tharmanya to Myawaddy. We have to pay 250 kyats per viss from Myingyan to Tharmanya. If we can go directly to Myawaddy, the truck fare will be 350 or 400 or 500 kyats per viss in stead of costing us 700 kyats." he said.
Although the sections of the road have been recovered, because there many checkpoints of armed groups collecting gate fee and the fees have been higher, the trade costs will be higher, said traders.
