Myanmar trade burdened by rebel taxes

Staff Reporter :

The Arakan Army’s growing influence in regions near the Bangladesh-Myanmar border is disrupting bilateral trade by imposing unofficial levies on exports, according to Home Affairs Adviser Lieutenant General (Retd) Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury.

Speaking to the media following a high-level coordination meeting at the Chattogram Circuit House, the Adviser highlighted the complexities currently facing cross-border trade operations due to the presence of the Arakan Army (AA) in border-adjacent areas.

“At present, the Arakan Army maintains a presence in certain territories along the Myanmar border adjacent to Bangladesh. Consequently, we are having to coordinate with both the Myanmar government and the Arakan Army,” said Lt Gen Chowdhury.

He noted that while Bangladesh continues to fulfil its obligations by paying official tariffs to the Myanmar authorities, the Arakan Army is now also demanding separate levies on traded goods. “We are already paying taxes to the Myanmar government. However, the Arakan Army is now imposing an additional tax,” he said.

This dual taxation is contributing to increased costs for cross-border trade, raising concerns among traders and exporters, particularly in the Chattogram region.

Commenting on a video circulating on social media, which purportedly shows members of the Arakan Army celebrating the New Year near the border, Lt Gen Chowdhury dismissed it as misleading.