Trade through Cox’s Bazar’s Teknaf land port has remained suspended for nearly a month, as the Myanmar government has halted shipments from Yangon. The disruption stems from the Arakan Army (AA), a rebel group that has been intercepting cargo vessels en route to Teknaf. In response, the Myanmar government has stopped border trade, according to traders in Teknaf.
However, limited trade continues between Teknaf and Maungdaw, a town in Myanmar’s Rakhine state controlled by the Arakan Army. Despite this, Bangladeshi cargo vessels occasionally face detention by the rebel group.
Customs officials and import-export traders at the land port report that the ongoing conflict between Myanmar’s junta forces and the Arakan Army has significantly impacted bilateral trade. As trade stops, Teknaf’s business community is enduring the brunt of the situation.
According to sources at the Teknaf land port, on January 16, the Arakan Army intercepted three cargo vessels from Yangon in Myanmar’s Naikhongdia area of the Naf River under the pretext of security checks. Two boats were released after four days, while the third was held for 16 days. Additionally, a boat carrying frozen fish bound for Teknaf was forced to turn back to Myanmar from Sittwe (Akyab). As a result of these security concerns, Myanmar authorities have suspended border trade between Yangon and Teknaf since January 16.
Speaking to Bangla Tribune, Teknaf Land Port Customs Officer BM Abdullah Al Masum said, “The last cargo shipment from Yangon has been fully unloaded, and clearance was issued for its return. However, the vessel remains docked at the port as the Arakan Army detained it for 16 days and has yet to leave due to security concerns.
Since the January 16 incident, no cargo vessel has arrived from Yangon, and as of February 27, trade remains suspended. However, since the beginning of this year, limited trade with Maungdaw has continued.”
Syed Mohammad Anwar Hossain, manager of United Land Port Teknaf Ltd., which operates the Teknaf land port, confirmed the prolonged trade suspension. “For the past one and a half months, no cargo vessel has arrived from Yangon. However, imports and exports with Maungdaw continue on a limited scale,” he said.
As tensions persist, traders remain uncertain when full-scale border trade between Teknaf and Yangon will resume.
By Abdur Rashid Manik
File Photo
