Border News Agency
Maungdaw, May 21.

The Arakan-Bangladesh border trade has been suspended since April 14 and remains halted as of today, May 21.

This cross-border trade between Arakan and Bangladesh had been conducted through the Kanyin Chaung Economic Zone Port in Maungdaw Township, which is under the control of the Arakan Army (AA), and connected to the Teknaf Port in Bangladesh.

From the Kanyin Chaung Economic Zone Port, goods such as rice and timber were mainly exported, while materials like cement and potatoes were imported from the Teknaf Port in Bangladesh.

However, on April 14, boats carrying goods including timber from Kanyin Chaung Port to Teknaf Port were seized by Bangladeshi authorities. Since that day, cross-border trade between the two countries has been suspended.

The eight boats were released by the Bangladeshi side on May 14, and in return, the fishing boats from Bangladesh that had been held by the Arakan People’s Revolutionary Government were also released.

However, the cross-border trade between the two countries has not yet resumed.

As a result, some goods, including basic food items, have seen price increases, according to residents of Maungdaw.

However, Arakan traders and locals say that exports of certain goods such as buffaloes, cows, goats, and other products from the Maungdaw side to Bangladesh are still ongoing. Likewise, food and consumer goods are still being imported from the Bangladeshi side.

In addition, the India-Arakan cross-border trade has also been suspended by the Indian side since May 16, according to an announcement from the Land Revenue Department of the Lai Autonomous District Council in Lawngtlai District, Mizoram State, India.