As China’s Guan Lei Port in Yunnan province has reopened, Chiang Rai province -northern Thailand- is anticipating an increase in Mekong River trade. Since the start of 2020, when the pandemic hit, the port in Xishuangbanna prefecture has been inaccessible.
Authorities in Xishuangbanna, who had requested the port’s reopening, asked for an inspection on August 16; in response, experts from Yunnan’s Department of Commerce, which borders Myanmar and Laos, inspected the port. The Yunnan provincial government gave the port the green light to begin cargo operations last week, with the caveat that it adheres to strict safety standards and enhances its customs procedures.
In 2020, the value of trade processed by the Chiang Saen Customs House in Chiang Rai fell by 21%, and in 2021, it dropped by another 19%, presumably due to the pandemic. By the end of April of this year, Thailand had seen an increase in exports of 3.9 billion baht and an increase in imports of 271 million baht. Before Covid-19, annual export growth averaged between 15 and 18 billion baht.
[ 1 baht = € 0.027 ]
Source: chiangraitimes.com
