Maungdaw border trade in northern Arakan State is open but traders from Myanmar and Bangladesh are facing difficulties due to the entry ban between the two neighboring countries.

 

Myanmar traders have been given lower prices when they cannot go to Bangladesh to seek new markets due to the entry ban while traders from Bangladesh cannot come and see goods in Myanmar, said Ko To Phate, a trader from Maungdaw town.

 

Dhaka has banned entry with daily passport and seven day passports following the 2017 violence.

 

Traders have been attempting to lift the ban, said U Aung Myint Thein, chairperson of the Traders Association in Maungdaw Township.

 

“Traders addressed their difficulties to me. I discussed the matter with the Bangladeshi consul. The case involves the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. We have not received any response from Dhaka,” U Aung Myint Thein said.

 

Myanmar has mainly exported ginger to Bangladesh from the Maungdaw border trade presently.