Teknaf to resume border trade with Myanmar

After remaining closed for nearly a year, border trade through the Teknaf land port is showing signs of resumption. A wooden boat originating from Myanmar has set off towards Teknaf, bringing a sense of relief to local traders and port workers.

The boat departed on Friday morning from the Maungdaw area of Myanmar, which is currently under the control of the Arakan Army. According to the latest updates, the vessel had not yet reached the port’s wharf by midday.

Mohammad Jasim Uddin Chowdhury, General Manager (Accounts) of the Teknaf branch of United Land Port Limited, which operates the port, confirmed that a wooden boat was scheduled to arrive. However, as of 12 noon on Friday, it had not yet reached the wharf. 

Confirming the development, Teknaf Land Port boatman Shamsul Alam said that after more than a year, a wooden boat is finally heading to the port. This news has brought hope and relief to the workers and traders who have been eagerly awaiting the restart of port activities.

It is understood that the boat began its journey on Friday morning from the Hayenkhali Canal in Maungdaw, Myanmar, an area controlled by the Arakan Army. Local businessman Md. Faruk was informed about the boat’s departure.

It is worth noting that due to the ongoing conflict in Myanmar’s Rakhine State for the past one and a half years, approximately 270 kilometres of the border area has come under the control of the Arakan Army. As a result, the movement of vessels along the Myanmar side of the Naf River is also now regulated by them.

In early April last year, the Myanmar junta government effectively halted border trade after facing obstacles from the Arakan Army, which had been demanding commissions from cargo vessels. The prolonged closure caused significant losses to more than a hundred importers and exporters in Bangladesh. The Bangladesh government also suffered a revenue loss of around Tk500 crore.

The arrival of this wooden boat is being viewed by concerned parties as a positive indication that border trade may resume after a long period of inactivity.

Local traders have expressed hope that if regular movement of cargo vessels resumes soon, the Teknaf land port will become fully operational once again, bringing fresh momentum to cross-border trade.