RakhineState's border tradeswith Bangladesh have declined drasticallyafter Bangladesh has decreased freshwaterfish imports from Myanmar, said Rakhine State Chamber of Commerce andIndustry (RSCCI).

Asof 15 September (on 2023-2024 fiscal year), the export capacity of border tradestations from Rakhine State (like Maungdaw Kanyin Chaung and Sittwe Shwe MinGang stations) remains only worth USD 7.526 million, which is lower than theprevious year.

In the lastfiscal year on 15 September, the amount was USD 68.282 million.

RSCCIsecretary U Aung Aung informed Narinjara News that the trades with Bangladeshhave been declining after the cyclone Mocha hit Rakhine State. Heexpected that this month wouldbe a little better for the traders belonging to both the neighbouringcountries.

Thefresh water fishes are exported to Bangladesh primarily through the Rakhineborder trading posts. But since last March they have reduced the order offreshwater fishes and hence the trade value with Bangladesh has beendecreased, said the Rakhine traders.

Theexported fresh water fishes come from the large husbandries in the regions ofIrrawaddy, Yangon and Bago.

AMaungdaw border trader informed that no fish export to Bangladesh is beingcarried from Maungdaw’s Kanyin Chaung border trade station in recent days.

"AsKanyin Chaung border trade station is not functioning, the Sittwe point remainsactive. Currently, the grocery items including cosmetics are being exported toBangladesh but with a lower volume. There were four to five boats to plyto Bangladesh daily, but it’s only one boat moving,” he added.

TheRakhine border trade stations are now sending onions, ginger, driedplums and tamarind seedsto Bangladesh. In return, various plastic products and water tanks are beingexported from Bangladesh to Myanmar.