Mawlamyine, March 15
Although the Chinese authorities reopened the China-Myanmar border trade gate, Kyin San Kyawt, which was closed for 10 days due to COVID-19, the traders suffered heavy losses, the traders said.
After the staff of Kyin San Kyawt trade gate on the Myanmar-China border were found infected with COVID-19 on March 2, the Chinese side closed the trade gate and then reopened it on March 12.
The closure of the gate completely shut down trade between the two countries, blocking more than 400 trucks, including trucks loading watermelons, muskmelons, onions, peppers, rice and broken rice, and most of the goods were lost.
One of the traders said, “Now we have to line up, disinfect, and spend a lot. It costs a fortune. When we are there, the goods will go to waste. Then not only the traders but also the farmers will lose”.
At present, the fresh products are being disinfected and screened by Chinese authorities.
Therefore, the goods under blockade could be imported into China two days later.
The Muse Rice Commodity Exchange official said the new goods will be allowed to be imported on March 16.
“Some of the pepper trucks drove back to Myanmar because they couldn’t wait too long. The watermelon and muskmelon trucks are waiting to enter. While reopening, we are allowing trucks of watermelons, muskmelons, green peppers, and onions, which are perishable, to enter China as a priority,” the source said.
The China-Myanmar border trade gate reopened in November last year, mainly importing fertilizers and electronics from China.
Myanmar is exporting agricultural products, including watermelon and muskmelon.
News- Than Lwin Times