Kaladan News
December 18, 2008
Bamboos scarce in Arakan State
Teknaf, Bangladesh: Bamboos in Arakan State are gradually disappearing because businessmen in collaboration with a section of the authorities have been exporting it to Bangladesh, said a bamboo trader from Maungdaw Township on condition of anonymity.
The bamboos are transported to Teknaf from Arakan State by traders.
The price of bamboos is skyrocketing in Arakan State, as businessmen export bamboos to Bangladesh even as local people face difficulties buying bamboos for building houses among other things.
In Arakan State, businessmen buy 100 bamboos at kyat 11,000 and sell it at Taka 13,000 to 18,000 in Bangladesh. (One Taka= 17.50 kyat). Most of the bamboos are exported to Bangladesh from the southern part of Arakan State. Burma's bamboos are available in Teknaf, a border town in Bangladesh. These bamboos are exported by engine boats.
Some of the bamboos are also sent to Teknaf as rafts which float along the Naf River from Maungdaw north, Arakan state.
A local worker in Shapuri Dip, Bangladesh said it is good for the local people as they can buy bamboos at cheap prices. If bamboos do not come to Bangladesh, from Burma, the price would go up in Bangladesh.
The businessmen have to pay tax to Burma's border security force (Nasaka), customs, police and the forest department. They also have to pay Taka 4,000 to the authorities in Teknaf for 1,000 bamboos said a trader.
No comments:
Post a Comment