Thailand, Myanmar to boost border trade
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, Dec 31 -- Thailand and Myanmar are joining together to promote trade between Thailand's Mae Sot district of Tak province and Myanmar’s Myawaddy town.

They believe the trade value there can increase by 150 per cent next year.

Duangporn Rodphaya, director-general of the Department of Foreign Trade, said Thai and Myanmar commerce officials will meet in late January to promote cooperation between Mae Sot and Myawaddy as sister cities. Leaders of both countries agreed they should be a channel to facilitate bilateral trade and investment.

Ms Duangporn said Thailand would develop Mae Sot, Phop Phra and Mae Ramat districts of Tak into a special economic zone and Myanmar would do the same in Myawaddy to support economic affairs in the region.

The Thai government is ready to support building a road to Myanmar's Kawkareik town, she said.

The road is expected to be completed next July.

The Thai government plans to boost the value of bilateral trade through Mae Sot from 60 billion baht yearly to 150 billion baht next year.

The Ministry of Commerce estimates that the value of border trade of Thailand should reach nearly 1 trillion baht this year and rise to Bt1.1 trillion next year. (MCOT online news)


-- TNA 2014-12-31

make the drug trade run smoother ?

"Thailand and Myanmar are joining together to promote trade"

This may be an opportunity for Thailand to exchange its yuans.

Mostly in timber and animal products I suppose?

Drug prices should be cheaper now.