THE value of Myanmar’s maritime trade for the period between 1 October, 2018 and 21 June, 2019 in the current fiscal year stood at US$17.7 billion, a decrease of $893.9 million compared with the corresponding period of the previous FY, according to data provided by the Ministry of Commerce.
Over the past eight months, maritime exports reached $6.7 billion. Meanwhile, imports were registered at $10.96 billion, a sharp decline of $1 billion from the year-ago period.
The value of trade through the border gates exceeded $7.64 billion, an increase of $1.17 billion amid tight confiscation and trade suspension by Myanmar’s main trade partner China, as cross-border trade with Thailand doubled compared with the yearago period.
During the period, the country’s total external trade crossed $25.35 billion. In the previous FY, the figure stood at $25 billion.
Myanmar exports agricultural products, fishery products, minerals, livestock, forest products, finished industrial goods, and other products, while it imports capital goods, consumer goods, and raw industrial materials.
The country currently has nine ports involved in sea trade. The Yangon Port is the main gateway for Myanmar’s maritime trade, and includes the Yangon inner terminals and the outer Thilawa Port. — Mon Mon (Translated by Ei Myat Mon)
