The Burmese Market, one of the most recognisable commercial landmarks in the coastal city of Cox’s Bazar, is much more than just a shopping destination. For both domestic and international visitors, it represents a distinctive combination of borderland culture, history and trade that has shaped the region for decades.
According to local Rakhine trader Mumo Rakhine, the first Burmese Market in Cox’s Bazar was the Ume Burmese Market in the Tekpara area. Over time, however, many elements of the market’s traditional character have gradually faded. She also noted that importing goods from Myanmar has become increasingly difficult due to a range of challenges.
The market’s main attractions include traditional pickles from Myanmar, handwoven shawls made by Rakhine women, bed covers, lungis, shoulder bags and a variety of handcrafted wooden products. These items not only reflect the cultural heritage of the region but also embody the traditions, craftsmanship and lifestyle of communities living along the border.
A significant proportion of the millions of tourists visiting Cox’s Bazar each year make time to shop at the Burmese Market. As a result, the market has become an important component of the local economy, supporting a wide network of traders, artisans and service providers.
For many visitors, a trip to Cox’s Bazar is incomplete without a visit to the Burmese Market and the purchase of traditional products unique to the area.
Tourists said they visit the market expecting to find authentic Burmese products and value the trust long associated with it.
Mucha Kalim Ullah, vice-president of the Burmese Market Traders’ Association, said more than 300 shops now operate around the trade in Burmese goods in Cox’s Bazar.
“With proper planning and government support, the Burmese Market could generate hundreds of millions of taka in annual business and further expand its contribution to the local economy,” he said.
He added that preserving the market’s heritage and ensuring a tourist-friendly environment would create new opportunities not only for tourism but also for local commerce and economic growth.
Rakhine researcher and writer Mongba Rakhine said Burmese markets had existed in Cox’s Bazar even before Bangladesh’s independence, although they were much smaller than they are today.
“At that time, only a limited number of shops operated, and they mainly sold products made by the Rakhine community. Large numbers of foreign tourists used to visit these markets,” he said.
He believes that if opportunities to import raw materials from Myanmar are expanded, many Rakhine women would be able to return to traditional handicraft production, contributing to both cultural preservation and the national economy.
He also stressed the importance of government support in revitalising the market and restoring its former vibrancy.
According to him, with planned management and modernisation, the Burmese Market could be developed into an international-standard tourist shopping zone. Such an initiative would not only enhance the visitor experience but also provide a fresh boost to the economy of Cox’s Bazar and its surrounding communities.
For decades, the Burmese Market has remained an integral part of Cox’s Bazar’s identity. Beyond commerce, it continues to serve as a living showcase of the region’s multicultural heritage, traditional craftsmanship and enduring cross-border connections.
By Mohammad Morshed
Photo: Mohammad Morshed
