Myanmar interested in resuming trade with Bangladesh

Myanmar has shown interest in resuming trade with Bangladesh after a year’s interruption due to the actions of the Arakan Army insurgent group near the border.

Myanmar's Ambassador to Dhaka Kyaw Soe Moe made the statement during a meeting with Commerce Minister Khandaker Abdul Muktadir at the Secretariat on Sunday, according to a press release from the Ministry of Commerce.

During the meeting, the ambassador said, "Businessmen and people of both countries will benefit if the long-suspended border trade is resumed. If necessary, the issue of initially starting border trade on a limited or temporary scale can be considered."

Kyaw also expressed interest in increasing the volume of trade between the two countries during the meeting, according to the Ministry of Commerce.

Amid the ongoing conflict near the border, a 270 kilometre-stretch of the border area in Myanmar's Rakhine State has come under the control of the Arakan Army. As a result, navigation on the Myanmar side of the Naf River is also under their control.

The Myanmar junta government announced a virtual shutdown of border trade in early April 2025, citing the Arakan Army's demands for extortion from cargo ships. This caused major losses for hundreds of importers and exporters.

Then, on May 1 of this year, a trawler loaded with timber from Myanmar arrived at the Teknaf Land Port. At the time, many were optimistic about the resumption of border trade, but the security crisis has yet to end.

Currently, no goods are coming directly from the Myanmar capital of Yangon and only limited timber is being imported from Rakhine State. On the other hand, various consumer goods, including cold drinks and biscuits, are being exported from Bangladesh.

Although the Arakan Army does not have a strict barrier set up in the Naf River area, trade remains limited due to the risks and fear of life.

During the meeting with the ambassador, various important issues including expanding the existing bilateral trade between Bangladesh and Myanmar, increasing the imports and export of goods, strengthening shipping links, importing LNG and expanding mutual investment opportunities were discussed.

Commerce Minister Muktadir said that Bangladesh is committed to further strengthening relations with neighbouring countries based on mutual respect, trust and economic cooperation.

He said that issues related to trade, transport, investment and border communication that are related to other ministries will be reviewed through inter-ministerial coordination.

He said, “It is possible to further increase trade between the two countries by utilising geographical proximity and existing potential.

“Both countries will work together to make the economic relations between Bangladesh and Myanmar more meaningful and dynamic by resolving issues of mutual interest through discussions.”

The meeting included discussions on opportunities for increasing trade in various potential products, including agricultural and fishery products, rice, medicines, and frozen food. Emphasis was also placed on strengthening business-to-business communication and business-to-business activities.

The issue of the safe and dignified repatriation of Rohingyas sheltered in Bangladesh came up for discussion.

The Myanmar ambassador said that the process of vetting the list of Rohingya received for repatriation is ongoing. Initiatives will be taken to advance the repatriation process once the security and field situation improves, he said.

The Bangladesh side demanded the creation of a conducive environment for speedy repatriation and effective and visible progress in this regard, the commerce minister said.

The meeting agreed to hold regular institutional discussions and joint committee meetings between the two countries. The proposal to hold the next joint meeting in Bangladesh was also discussed.

The meeting agreed to establish direct maritime and shipping communication between Bangladesh and Myanmar and to quickly finalise the proposed agreement in this regard.