13 April 2026 By Kan Htun
MAUNGDAW, Myanmar — Trade between Myanmar’s Rakhine State and neighboring Bangladesh is poised for a potential restart following the traditional Thingyan festival, raising hopes for relief from the severe commodity shortages and sky-high prices currently gripping the region.
The focus of the resumption is the Kanyin Chaung Economic Zone in Maungdaw Township, a critical commercial hub situated just two miles from Maungdaw and a 15-minute boat ride across the Naf River from Bangladesh’s Teknaf port.
Border trade has been almost entirely suspended since late 2023, as intense fighting between the Arakha Army (AA) and the military junta surged across northern Rakhine. However, with the AA now maintaining control over much of the border region, signs of a diplomatic and economic thaw have begun to emerge.
“There is a high probability that trade will resume soon,” a local resident told MPA. “While the exact details are still being finalized, the situation is expected to become much clearer once the New Year holiday period concludes.”
For the people of Rakhine, the reopening of the border is more than just a commercial matter; it is a humanitarian necessity. The region has been under a total blockade by the military junta for over two years, leaving residents dependent on limited and expensive local supplies.
“Mutual trade between Bangladesh and Rakhine is essential,” another resident from Maungdaw added. “It is the only way to alleviate the burden of rising costs and the scarcity of basic goods that our people are currently facing.”
Historically, Myanmar exported freshwater fish, onions, ginger, and other agricultural products through this route, while importing plastic goods, consumer electronics, and textiles from Bangladesh. During a peak three-month period in 2022, the zone recorded over $12 million USD in trade volume.
The prospect of a restart is supported by recent statements from the Bangladeshi government. Md Rajib Ahsan, a Bangladeshi state minister, recently visited Teknaf Land Port and confirmed that preparations were underway to resume operations.
Reports from Bangladeshi media outlet Jago News 24 indicate that officials from both sides have been engaged in discussions to facilitate a smooth reopening. While the Bangladeshi side of the port is reportedly ready, final administrative coordination with the local authorities in Rakhine is expected in the coming weeks.
As the AA continues to establish its own administrative and economic framework in the territories it controls, the successful reopening of the Kanyin Chaung Economic Zone would represent a significant milestone in its efforts to stabilize the regional economy and bypass the junta’s blockade.
For the millions of people caught in the crossfire of Myanmar’s civil war, the sight of cargo boats crossing the Naf River again would be a welcome sign of a slowly returning stability.
