TAK: Thailand is counting on a new bridge connecting with Myanmar to increase border trade between the two countries.
Transport Minister Saksayam Chidchob said after opening the second Thai-Myanmar Friendship Bridge that the new link between Mae Sot district and Myanmar's Myawaddy will increase border trade to 100 billion baht per year from the current level of 78 billion baht.
Mr Saksayam and Myanmar Construction Minister Han Zaw chaired the ceremony at the border between their countries. The new bridge has been built to ease traffic jams at the old bridge.
The Mae Sot checkpoint is a major gateway for border trade between Thailand and Myanmar. Border trade between the countries accounted for 190 billion baht in the 2018 fiscal year, 78 billion of them through Mae Sot district.
Transport Minister Saksayam Chidchob (right) and Myanmar Construction Minister Han Zaw open the new Thai-Myanmar bridge. (Photo by Assawin Pinitwong)