Arrival of Myanmar boat set to boos

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Subject: Arrival of Myanmar boat set to boost trade ties The Star

[MALAYSIA] Friday, January 15, 1999
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Arrival of Myanmar boat set to boost trade ties 
By Jonathan Kwok 

PENANG: The first boat from Myanmar finally arrived at Weld Quay
yesterday--marking a long-awaited revival of barter trade here after a
four-year hiatus. 

More than 50 local traders and government officers welcomed the wooden
vessel carrying 60 tonnes of onions as it docked at the Church Street Pier
at 1.15pm after getting clearance from the Immigration Department. 

Describing it as "a historic moment," local merchants expect the newly
re-established trading ties to bring much welcome relief to the state's
beleaguered economy. 

"The revival of barter trading with Myanmar will directly and indirectly
benefit over 10,000 Penangites," said Penang Chinese Chamber of Commerce
president Tan Sri Tan Kok Ping, who was present to greet the 100-tonne mv
Aung Pan and its 12 crewmen. 

"The onions will be traded for local goods including old newspapers, old
clothings, biscuits and other provisions that are in high demand in
Myanmar," Tan said. 

Also present were representatives from the relevant authorities and
agencies including the Penang Port Sdn Bhd, state Immigration Department,
Customs and the marine police. 

The boat, which left Moulmein on Sunday, arrived at 6am yesterday. 

The century-old trading activity which yields an estimated RM600mil
turnover annually, received the green light from the Federal Government
last month to resume operations. 

Trading was halted in 1994 for security reasons, resulting in the Myanmar
traders shifting their operations to Singapore. 

"We expect trading to pick up in weeks," said Tan, adding that another
vessel carrying 50 tonnes of onions and 30 tonnes of rubber would arrive
next week. 

It is learnt that yesterday's shipment was actually a trial run to ensure
all procedures were in place before trading goes into full swing. 

Tan urged the traders to work closely with the chamber to reorganise the
barter system. 

"We expect a lot of Myanmar traders will shift their attention from
Singapore to Penang now as we are much nearer (to them) and we have a
proven trade record," said Tan Chin Guan, manager of a local trading company. 

Subject: RESUMPTION OF BARTER TRADE WITH MYANMAR
January 15 , 1999 13:37PM 
BERNAMA [Malaysian New Agency]

KOH HAPPY OVER RESUMPTION OF BARTER TRADE WITH MYANMAR 

PULAU PINANG, Jan 15 (Bernama) -- Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon
today expressed happiness over the resumption of the long-awaited barter
trading with Myanmar. 

He said the technical and administrative details on the trading are being
worked out by the Special Task Force headed by the State's Trade, Commerce
and Consumer Affairs Committee Chairman Datuk Dr Sak Cheng Lum. 

The first ship from Myanmar arrived at Weld Quay here on Wednesday, marking
the revival of the barter trading business here after a four-year hiatus. 

The century-old trading activity, which yields an estimated RM600 million
in annual turnover, received the greenlight from the Federal Government
last month to resume operations. 

Trading was halted in 1994 due to security reasons, resulting in the
Myanmar traders shifting their operations to Singapore.

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