Rice from eastern Shan State has once again been permitted to be exported to China through border trade: Myanmar's Ministry of Commerce

Rice from eastern Shan state has once again been permitted to be exported to China through border trade, according to an announcement from the Ministry of Commerce.

“Due to the fighting, border trade had been closed. Now the region is peaceful and the conditions are stable, so the border has been opened and rice exports are permitted again,” said U KhinMaungLwin, deputy director from the Ministry of Commerce.

Rice export in eastern Shan state was halted for eight months due to the armed conflict in Laukkaing regions. Then rice exports were permitted again recently.

Rice production of eastern Shan state can fulfil regional rice demand and can produce a surplus of 80,000 tonnes per year, which prompted the export of rice to China in 2012.

Myanmar exports over 1 million tonnes of rice every year, and 60 percent of exports goes to China, 35 percent to Africa and 5 percent to Europe, according to Ministry of Commerce statistics.

Reference: http://www.mmbiztoday.com/articles/eastern-shan-state-opens-rice-exports-china

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