Cox'sbazar: 26 Lakh Taka worth of Burmese goods that were smuggled into Bangladesh from western Burma’s Arakan State were seized on the 15th of October at a border check-post.

Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) is said to have seized the Burmese goods from a minibus at its check-post near the Ukhia Degree College on the road from Teknaf on the Burmese border, a sea resort in southeastern Bangladesh.

The seized goods included sarongs, embrocating balms, traditional medicines and the robes of Buddhist monks.

According to cross-border traders from Bangladesh, Burmese goods such as blankets, clothes, traditional cosmetics, traditional medicines and candied fruits are the most demanded goods in Bangladesh and some traders import these Burmese goods illegally into their country.

"Burmese goods are in high demand here because our customers value foreign products more than their home-made ones, so a store or market without Burmese goods cannot make good sales", said a store owner from Cox's Bazar.

He also said Cox's Bazar is a famous sea resort and that visitors to the town from other parts of Bangladesh usually buy the Burmese goods before they return home.

The currency exchange rate between Burma and Bangladesh (on the border) is currently 10.10 kyat for 1.00 Taka.