Trade activities between Bangladesh and Myanmarthrough the Naf river have been fully halted due to the ongoing conflictsbetween the Myanmar military junta and the Arakan Army (AA) in Maungdawdistrict of Rakhine State, reported  The Financial Express.

The disruptions in trades at Teknaf land port in Cox’sBazar have resulted in heavy revenue losses for the Bangladesh government inDhaka, added the newspaper report.

Myanmar usually exports items like wood, betel-nut,fish, ginger, turmeric, chili, onion, dried fish, rice, pulses and pickles fromMaungdaw, Sittwe and other river ports through Teknaf.

On the other hand, Bangladesh exports plasticproducts, ready-made garments, chips, aluminium products, medicines, cosmeticsand various food products through these ports.

In the fiscal year 2022-23, Dhaka earned Taka 76.3 million revenue fromexport-import activities through Teknaf land port.

During that financial year, Bangladesh imported nearly 200,000 tonnes and exported over 3,500 tonnes of goods.

Jasimuddin Chowdhury, general manager of the united land port  said thatthe escalation of conflicts along the Myanmar border created a climate of fearon the international border. It significantly impacted the volume of trades.

During the regular operation, 150-200 large engineboats transport goods every month through the river, but in the last few weeksit dwindled to 25-30.

The port and its jetty, once bustling with the activities of trucks and coveredvans, now remain almost deserted, stated the financial newspaper.