The battle between the junta forces and Arakan Army(AA) members has been going on in Rakhine State and it completely halts theBangladesh-Myanmar border trades, said a merchant.

The trader from Maungdawtownship informed that the border trades were stopped since the fightingbetween the two armed parties erupted on 13 November.

"The trade zone in Maungdaw has stopped sendinggoods to Bangladesh. From the other sidetoo, there is goods coming in," he added.

Soon afterexporting over 40 tons of fish from Sittwe port to Teknaf port of Bangladesh on14 November, the activities stopped from both sides.

The junta authorities closed all major roads inRakhine State since gun fighting resumed. Thus the traders were discouraged todo business in the Rakhine region.

“When the roads areclosed, everything needs to be stopped. I can no longer travelanywhere. Both sides are suffering becauseof this sudden development. Meanwhile, goods are piled in warehouses andstarted rotting,” he asserted.

Myanmar exported 1,300 tons of onions to Bangladesh inOctober. Another 600 tons of onions and 400 tons of wheat were scheduled to beexported from Myanmar, stated a media report in Dhaka.

It also added that Bangladesh had to lose nearly Taka150 million because of this hindrance.

During 11 to 14 November, Myanmar exported items liketamarind seed, fish, zephyr, ginger (both wet anddry), betel nut and zee yo worth USD 0.3138 million from Sittwe trade zone toBangladesh, said the junta’s customs department sources.

Myanmar usually exports items from Sittwe Shwe MinGang port and Maungdaw Ka Nyin Chaung economic zone to Bangladesh’s Teknafport. In return, Bangladesh sends various goods including plastic items toMyanmar.