Renewed fighting in Rakhine State between Myanmar junta forces and the Arakan Army (AA) has led to the shutdown of Myanmar-Bangladesh border trade, according to local merchants.

Fierce fighting started on 13 November in Rethadaung, Maungdaw, Pauktaw and Minbyar Townships between the AA and government forces. A trader from Maungdaw said that the border trade between two countries stopped after the war broke out again.

Bangladesh-based importers said that they were concerned over the border trade between two countries through the Naf River port as the fighting was raging in Rakhine State.

The news report said that these importers would incur losses of about 150 million Takas after the border trade was stopped by war.

Bangladesh mainly imports foodstuffs such as frozen fish, onion, and ginger from Myanmar and five to six cargo vessels arrived daily at Bangladesh ports before the renewed war.

Bangladesh imported over 40 tonnes of fish from Sittwe port in Myanmar to Teknaf port in Bangladesh on 14 November but it was the last shipment and also Bangladesh did not export any cargo since then to Myanmar.

The data from Cox’s Bazar Customs Department says that Bangladeshi importers imported goods worth US$192 million in 2022 through Teknaf port.

The stoppage of border trade was the result of the Myanmar Military Council closing all roadways and waterways in Rakhine State after the war broke out, prompting merchants on both sides to incur losses.

A news report in Bangladesh media said that Bangladesh imported 1,300 tonnes of onion from Myanmar in October this year and 600 tonnes of onion and 400 tonnes of wheat were yet to be imported.

Myanmar uses Sittwe Shwe Min Gan port and Maungdaw Kanyin Chaung trade zone for exporting forest products, aquatic products and agricultural products to Bangladesh Teknaf port in border trade.