Bangkok Terminal Logistics Co., Ltd.
Village Chief – Ruili negotiates to ease border trade measures between Myanmar and China after the second wave of Covid-19 takes its toll
Mu Jie - Ruili, the largest trade gateway between Burma and China, with a trade value through this channel of more than 5 billion US dollars per year.
Myanmar-China border trade measures
Mu Jie – Ruili, the largest trade gateway for Myanmar-China border trade, with a trade value through this channel of more than 5 billion US dollars per year.
On January 2, 2021, both parties held a meeting on the topic of considering relaxation of cross-border trade measures between Myanmar and China after the second wave of Covid-19 outbreak to reduce trade barriers.
Muze and Ruili are county-level areas of both countries. Muze is a county in Muze Prefecture of Myanmar, and Ruili is a county under the autonomous region of Yunnan Province, China, which are connected by land.
The roles of Mu Jie and Ruili are of great economic importance, as almost all products that Myanmar imports and exports to China must pass through this channel, resulting in the creation of a special economic zone through investment by both countries.
Previously, no less than 1,000 trucks passed through this channel per day. Since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, the trade gate has been significantly slower, and the second wave of the outbreak has worsened trade.
From the negotiations to relax the measures for cross-border trade in the past, it was concluded that the opening of the Man Vieng Gate (the entry-exit channel for trucks on the Mu Jie-Ruili border) would be tested 24 hours a day for 10 days from January 5-14, 2021. However, the measure still limits truck drivers to only 50 people, who must have been tested for COVID-19 and tested negative. The drivers will rotate to drive. Trucks arriving in Mu Jie will have to switch drivers, with all 50 drivers who have passed the test being allowed to drive into China.
From the temporary 24-hour trading door trial from January 5-14, 2021, there have been no reports of any problems. If no problems are found, Mu Jie and Ruili will extend the service hours and open other border crossing channels.
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