Border trade between the two countries has increased, earning over US$900,000 from Myanmar’s exports including tobacco, thanks to the bridge.

The border trade between My­anmar and Laos has increased from April to July following the opening of the Myanmar-Laos Friendship Bridge and more than US$900,000 have been re­ceived from exports including Myanmar tobacco, according to the Trade Department un­der the Ministry of Commerce.

During the period when the bridge was not built, the trade between the two coun­tries did not develop, but now that the bridge has been com­pleted, it has increased.

"Trade has improved since the opening of the friendship bridge with Laos, which had almost no trade with Myanmar. Since Laos is buying Myan­mar’s tobacco, we were able to export 22 tonnes of tobacco to Laos through the Kenglat­border station in the first week of September, earning $35,000 in exports.

''During the period from April to July of this financial year, we were able to export aquatic products and agricul­tural produce from Myanmar to Laos through border trade," said Daw Cho Thet Mu, Depu­ty Director of the Department of Trade.

In the period from April to July of the 2023-2024 financial year, more than $900,000 was earned from shrimp exports, over $14,000 from rice exports and over $35,000 from tobacco exports totalling $997,000.

The goods were exported through the export declaration of the Kenglak border station, and corn crops will also be exported in the next financial year.

The Myanmar-Laos bor­der trade station named the Kenglak border in Tachilek District of Shan State (East) was opened on 26 August with the Lancang-Mekong Coop­eration Special Fund 2021. — ASH/KZL