MYANMAR – Nay Pyi Taw sources reported that Soe Win, the second in command of the junta council, is leading the works to implement sea trade routes in a hurry as junta loses land trade hubs and routes to the ethnic armed forces.
Currently, Muse 105 mile border gate, Chinshwehaw border gate and Lwelkyelkon border gate connecting to China; Rih border gate and Tamu border gate connecting to India; and Myawaddy border gate connecting to Thailand have all stopped operations due to the expanding control of resistance forces, and thus the junta council is rushing to increase trading via sea.
As the border gates are not running, the junta council is said to be working for the flow of commodities through ports, setting up temporary loading and unloading ports in order to switch to sea trade routes for border trade.
Min Htet Min Port has been approved as a temporary port in the sea trade to replace border trade for six months from January 1 to June 30. Shwe Me Terminal Port and the port of Mottama Logistics Hub Company were also approved to be used as trade ports for six months from April 24 to October 23, with those ports already in use to transport goods via sea from Yangon to Ranaung, Thailand.
“For border trade, they will connect the temporary ports in Yangon with the ports in China. Then the ports in Yangon will also be connected with the ports in India. As for Thailand, goods are already being transported from Yangon to Ranaung via ships. They are replacing border trade with sea trade routes,” said an economic and commerce source.
