• Burmese
Sunday, July 20, 2025
No Result
View All Result
NEWSLETTER
The Irrawaddy
26 °c
Yangon
  • Home
  • News
    • Burma
    • Politics
    • World
    • Asia
    • Myanmar’s Crisis & the World
    • Ethnic Issues
    • War Against the Junta
    • Junta Cronies
    • Conflicts In Numbers
    • Junta Watch
    • Fact Check
    • Investigation
    • Myanmar-China Watch
    • Obituaries
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Opinion
    • Commentary
    • Guest Column
    • Analysis
    • Editorial
    • Stories That Shaped Us
    • Letters
  • Junta Watch
  • Ethnic Issues
  • War Against the Junta
  • In Person
    • Interview
    • Profile
  • Books
  • Donation
  • Home
  • News
    • Burma
    • Politics
    • World
    • Asia
    • Myanmar’s Crisis & the World
    • Ethnic Issues
    • War Against the Junta
    • Junta Cronies
    • Conflicts In Numbers
    • Junta Watch
    • Fact Check
    • Investigation
    • Myanmar-China Watch
    • Obituaries
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Opinion
    • Commentary
    • Guest Column
    • Analysis
    • Editorial
    • Stories That Shaped Us
    • Letters
  • Junta Watch
  • Ethnic Issues
  • War Against the Junta
  • In Person
    • Interview
    • Profile
  • Books
  • Donation
No Result
View All Result
The Irrawaddy
No Result
View All Result
Home Business

US Sanctions Forge Closer Burmese-Thai Trade

May Lay by May Lay
July 30, 2012
in Uncategorized
Reading Time: 2 mins read
0 0
A A
US Sanctions Forge Closer Burmese-Thai Trade

Burmese President Thein Sein

2.4k
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

The US government’s decision last week, albeit held up in a Senate wrangle, to extend a ban on Burmese imports for three years is likely to forge closer trade ties with Thailand, claim experts.

“Thailand and Burma have to work more closely and Burma can look for markets in Asia. In 2015, the AEC [ASEAN Economic Community] will open up and Burma has to work with regional countries,” said Pasu Loharjun, director-general of the Thai Industry Ministry.

Before 2009-2010 fiscal year, Thailand was the largest investor in Burma for six consecutive years until China overtook the Kingdom in 2010-2011 with large energy sector outlays, according to the data from the Myanmar Investment Committee.

RelatedPosts

The Nation Where Brave Hearts—and Martyrs—Dwell

The Nation Where Brave Hearts—and Martyrs—Dwell

July 19, 2025
283
Conjuring an Election Illusion in War-Torn Shan; Raiding Offshore Gas to Stay Afloat; and More

Conjuring an Election Illusion in War-Torn Shan; Raiding Offshore Gas to Stay Afloat; and More

July 19, 2025
254
Myanmar Junta Airstrikes Protecting Irrawaddy Flotilla Kill 20

Myanmar Junta Airstrikes Protecting Irrawaddy Flotilla Kill 20

July 18, 2025
1.7k

During his three-day trip to Thailand last week, President Thein Sein signed three Memoranda of Understanding with Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra for assistance in promoting security, logistic and infrastructure.

In addition, both countries renewed their commitment to the controversial Dawei (Tavoy) deep-sea port and special economic zone in southern Burma.

“In our talk, I reaffirmed the commitment of the Thai government to push forward with this cooperation with Myanmar in regard to the development of the Dawei deep-sea port to have concrete progress,” said Yingluck.

Thein Sein met also with Thai business executives from PTT Plc, Siam Cement Group and Charoen Pokphand Foods among others. PTT, Thailand’s state-owned energy giant, pledged during the meeting to return excess gas to alleviate a chronic power shortfall in Burma.

PTT signed a deal with the Burmese Energy Ministry to explore two blocks—PSC-G at 13,333 square kilometers and EP-2 at 1,344 square kilometers—on June 6. These will be explored together with Burmese energy company Win Precious Resources Pte Ltd as a joint venture.

PTT already operates four natural gas blocks in Burma’s Yadana and Yetakun fields which can produce 1.1 billion cubic feet per day for the Thai domestic market.

Prajuab Supinee, commercial counselor at the Thai embassy in Rangoon, said Thailand is interested in expanding investments in four key sectors—food, garments, healthcare and construction.

“Thailand and Burma are neighbors and we can have good business relation in the future. Thai business people are very interested in Burma and some Thai companies already started their businesses before the Burmese government initiated economic reform, especially in energy and industrial sectors,” he said at a Thailand-Myanmar business-matching meeting at the Union of Myanmar Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry.

Positive testimony received from International Labour Organization (ILO) in June with regards action taken to combat forced labor was seen as vital towards negotiating further trade concessions in the wake of the easing of international sanctions.

The key measure would be inclusion in the European Union and World Trade Organization generalized system of preferences (GSP), which reduces tariffs for developing nations. Burma was included in the GSP before 1997 and could export products with minimal taxes, but this was later withdrawn due to the former military junta’s appalling human rights record.

“I felt upset after the announcement of the US import ban on Burma for the next three years. We have to sell our products with a poor price to Thailand and Asian counties. If we can export to Western countries, we can get a good price and extend new markets,” said the owner of a furniture factory in Rangoon.

Bilateral trade between Burma and Thailand increased by around 25 percent in the last fiscal year. The value of trade between the two countries stood at US $3.6 billion in 2010-2011 and $4.5 billion in 2011-2012, according to data from the Ministry of Commerce.

Your Thoughts …
May Lay

May Lay

Similar Picks:

Exodus: Tens of Thousands Flee as Myanmar Junta Troops Face Last Stand in Kokang
Burma

Exodus: Tens of Thousands Flee as Myanmar Junta Troops Face Last Stand in Kokang

by Hein Htoo Zan
November 28, 2023
98.5k

Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army troops are opening roads and pathways through forests for people to flee Kokang’s capital as...

Read moreDetails
Burning Alive in Myanmar: Two Resistance Fighters Executed in Public
Burma

Burning Alive in Myanmar: Two Resistance Fighters Executed in Public

by The Irrawaddy
February 7, 2024
90.4k

People’s Defense Force says junta troops told every household in the village to send one member to witness the double...

Read moreDetails
Another Entire Junta Battalion Raises the White Flag in Myanmar’s Northern Shan State
War Against the Junta

Another Entire Junta Battalion Raises the White Flag in Myanmar’s Northern Shan State

by The Irrawaddy
November 29, 2023
87.1k

Brotherhood Alliance member says it now has complete control of Kokang’s northernmost section after the junta’s Light Infantry Battalion 125...

Read moreDetails
Depleted Myanmar Military Urges Deserters to Return to Barracks
Burma

Depleted Myanmar Military Urges Deserters to Return to Barracks

by The Irrawaddy
December 4, 2023
59k

The junta said deserters would not be punished for minor crimes, highlighting the military’s shortage of troops as resistance offensives...

Read moreDetails
As Myanmar’s Military Stumbles, a Top General’s Dissapearance Fuels Intrigue
Burma

As Myanmar’s Military Stumbles, a Top General’s Dissapearance Fuels Intrigue

by The Irrawaddy
April 19, 2024
47k

The junta’s No. 2 has not been seen in public since April 3, sparking rumors that he was either gravely...

Read moreDetails
Enter the Dragon, Exit the Junta: Myanmar’s Brotherhood Alliance makes Chinese New Year Vow
Burma

Enter the Dragon, Exit the Junta: Myanmar’s Brotherhood Alliance makes Chinese New Year Vow

by The Irrawaddy
February 12, 2024
44.8k

Ethnic armed grouping says it will continue Operation 1027 offensive until goal of ousting the junta is achieved. 

Read moreDetails
Load More
Next Post
New Burmese Ambassador Meets Obama

New Burmese Ambassador Meets Obama

UN’s Quintana to Assess Arakan Strife

UN’s Quintana to Assess Arakan Strife

No Result
View All Result

Recommended

What the ‘Snake Charmer’ Analogy Gets Wrong About Myanmar

What the ‘Snake Charmer’ Analogy Gets Wrong About Myanmar

4 days ago
1.5k
Chinese Investment Reshapes Myanmar’s N. Shan as MNDAA Consolidates Power

Chinese Investment Reshapes Myanmar’s N. Shan as MNDAA Consolidates Power

1 week ago
3.5k

Most Read

  • Myanmar Junta Airstrikes Protecting Irrawaddy Flotilla Kill 20

    Myanmar Junta Airstrikes Protecting Irrawaddy Flotilla Kill 20

    shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • More Than 20,000 Displaced As Myanmar Junta Burns Homes Around World Heritage Site

    shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Myanmar Crisis Spells Opportunity for U.S.-India Cooperation

    shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Myanmar Junta’s Recapture of Nawnghkio Shows Strategic Missteps by TNLA

    shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Myanmar Junta Using Conscripts as Cannon Fodder, Defectors Say

    shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0

Newsletter

Get The Irrawaddy’s latest news, analyses and opinion pieces on Myanmar in your inbox.

Subscribe here for daily updates.

Contents

  • News
  • Politics
  • War Against the Junta
  • Myanmar’s Crisis & the World
  • Conflicts In Numbers
  • Junta Crony
  • Ethnic Issues
  • Asia
  • World
  • Business
  • Economy
  • Election 2020
  • Elections in History
  • Cartoons
  • Features
  • Opinion
  • Editorial
  • Commentary
  • Guest Column
  • Analysis
  • Letters
  • In Person
  • Interview
  • Profile
  • Dateline
  • Specials
  • Myanmar Diary
  • Women & Gender
  • Places in History
  • On This Day
  • From the Archive
  • Myanmar & COVID-19
  • Intelligence
  • Myanmar-China Watch
  • Lifestyle
  • Travel
  • Food
  • Fashion & Design
  • Videos
  • Photos
  • Photo Essay
  • Donation

About The Irrawaddy

Founded in 1993 by a group of Myanmar journalists living in exile in Thailand, The Irrawaddy is a leading source of reliable news, information, and analysis on Burma/Myanmar and the Southeast Asian region. From its inception, The Irrawaddy has been an independent news media group, unaffiliated with any political party, organization or government. We believe that media must be free and independent and we strive to preserve press freedom.

  • Copyright
  • Code of Ethics
  • Privacy Policy
  • Team
  • About Us
  • Careers
  • Contact
  • Burmese

© 2023 Irrawaddy Publishing Group. All Rights Reserved

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
    • Burma
    • Politics
    • World
    • Asia
    • Myanmar’s Crisis & the World
    • Ethnic Issues
    • War Against the Junta
    • Junta Cronies
    • Conflicts In Numbers
    • Junta Watch
    • Fact Check
    • Investigation
    • Myanmar-China Watch
    • Obituaries
  • Politics
  • Opinion
    • Commentary
    • Guest Column
    • Analysis
    • Editorial
    • Stories That Shaped Us
    • Letters
  • Ethnic Issues
  • War Against the Junta
  • In Person
    • Interview
    • Profile
  • Business
    • Economy
    • Business Roundup
  • Books
  • Donation

© 2023 Irrawaddy Publishing Group. All Rights Reserved

This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used. Visit our Privacy and Cookie Policy.