People travel through the Myawaddy border checkpoint. Mrs Arada says the reopening of the checkpoint is a positive signal for the border trade as it is a major gateway to Myanmar's key economic areas.
The reopening of the Myawaddy border checkpoint is expected to bolster trade between Thailand and Myanmar, according to the Department of Foreign Trade (DFT).Myanmar reopened the checkpoint, located opposite the Second Thai-Myanmar Friendship Bridge in the Mae Sot district of Tak, on May 28, following a closure since August last year.
Arada Fuangtong, director-general of the DFT, said the reopening is a positive sign for border trade as this route is a major gateway to Myanmar's key economic areas.
The move enables Thai businesses to revive exports of consumer products, construction materials, electrical appliances, automobiles and auto parts, and other industrial goods in high demand in Myanmar, she noted.
While the reopening is expected to improve logistics efficiency and reduce transport costs, the recovery of border trade depends largely on Myanmar's import control measures, said Mrs Arada.
