Bangladesh is exploring options to resume financial transactions with Myanmar’s alternative bank, UAB, in the wake of US sanctions on two Myanmar banks. The Commerce Ministry has asked Bangladesh Bank to formulate the next steps, and the Bangladesh mission in Yangon has already proposed UAB as an alternative. UAB is a prominent private commercial bank in Myanmar.
The move aims to address the import of crucial items, including onions, during crises. Following US sanctions, Bangladesh Bank directed local banks to cease financial engagement with Myanmar Foreign Trade Bank and Myanmar Investment and Commercial Bank. The largest state-run bank, Sonali Bank, had significant deposits with these banks, now frozen. While bilateral trade potential exists between Bangladesh and Myanmar, the current focus is on resolving financial transactions. In fiscal year 2020-21, Bangladesh exported $4.0 million and imported $130 million from Myanmar.