Statement of the 7th Meeting of the Joint Committee for the Cross-Border Transport Facilitation Agreement

At its 7th meeting in Siem Reap, Cambodia on 13 March 2019, the Joint Committee for the Cross-Border Transport Facilitation Agreement (CBTA) agreed to extend the “Early Harvest” Implementation of the CBTA until 31 May 2021. Permits and temporary admission documents previously issued to transport operators may be extended up to this date.

Myanmar will join the Early Harvest CBTA implementation through Initial Implementation of the CBTA (IICBTA) agreements with neighboring countries, during a grace period extended until 1 June 2021. The country has signed a memorandum of understanding with Thailand for the initial implementation of the CBTA at Myawaddy and Mae Sot. 

The Myanmar–Thailand IICBTA will start with each party issuing 100 transport permits, and will incorporate an expanded route network encompassing Yangon and Thilawa in Myanmar, and Bangkok and Laem Chabang in Thailand as well as the Myawaddy–Mae Sot border crossing point. Myanmar’s IICBTA with the People's Republic of China and the Lao People's Democratic Republic are expected to be finalized soon.

The joint committee also announced the successful conclusion of negotiations for the extension of corridors, routes, and border crossings under CBTA Protocol 1.