Since the Myanmar government cut off mobile data services in northern Arakan townships as of 20 June, it has created a hindrance for traders who are exporting goods to Bangladesh through the Maungdaw border trading point while local residents from the affected areas are facing difficulties.

Traders encounter difficulty showing samples of their goods to export to the neighboring country and to place orders for goods from Bangladesh to import to Myanmar, a trader from Maungdaw said.

“Currently, we have some trouble showing sample of goods to the traders from Bangladesh via the Internet,” said trader U Mahmed Sheel.

It has been 18 days that operators have been temporarily cut-off from mobile data services for Maungdaw, Rathedaung, Buthidaung, Ponnagyun, Kyauktaw, Mrauk-U, Minbya and Myebon townships in Arakan State and Paletwa township in Chin State, under the instruction of the ministry of Transport and Communications.

Currently, Myanmar traders mostly export ginger and carp to Bangladesh through Maungdaw border trading point. The volume of trading was USD 0.617 million in May and USD 0.681 million in June, according to Maungdaw Border Traders’ Association.

“We found carp and ginger are being exported the most now. Since it’s the rainy season, there are some difficulties with trading activities,” said U San Thein, secretary of the association.

Traders export agricultural produce such as beans and pulse, turmeric, fresh ginger and areca nuts and fishing products such as various kinds of dry fish, hilsa and carp from the Maungdaw border trading point to Bangladesh.

Traders also export bamboo as a forestry product and plum jam, sunflower seed and Thanakha as finished products.