Mawlamyin, July (22)
The pulses and beans traders told the Than Lwin Times that they are facing problems in exporting black gram to India due to the trade restrictions imposed by the military council.
On July 18, the Indian government officially announced that it will buy 250,000 tons of black gram and 100,000 tons of pigeon pea from Myanmar for five consecutive years through five Indian ports.
However, the military council has instructed that from July 1, export licenses will only be issued for trade using US dollars when exporting peas and beans, maize, sesame, and groundnuts via the border route or by sea.
In addition, the authorities have instructed the Department of Trade to issue export licenses only with the approval of the Myanmar Pulses, Beans and Sesame Seeds Merchants Association (MPBSMA).
A trader said that while there is demand for beans from the Indian side, it is difficult to export due to the restrictions on the trade system by the military council.
The military council also stated that the export of pulses, maize, sesame, groundnuts, and oilseeds from the border will be allowed to export only if the traders submit an export license along with proof of telegraphic transfer (TT) starting July 14.
A trader opined that due to such restrictions, foreign traders are likely to buy fewer beans from Myanmar and trade may slow down.
“Foreign traders don’t like the system where they have to pay in advance without receiving the goods. So they don’t buy anymore. They don’t buy our beans because of the price hike and these restrictions. Trade has slowed down,” he said.
Traders say that because the military council has instructed that the next export be allowed only if the previous bank receipt is presented, there may be a delay in exporting more items in a timely manner, and the flow of goods to the border may slow down.
The price of black gram is currently up to 53,000 kyats for a basket of 20 viss, but exporting is tough for traders.
Tens of thousands of tons of black gram are produced in Mon State every year, and they are primarily exported to Thailand and India.
News – Than Lwin Times