Motorcycles selling like hot cakes on Sino-Burma border

Myo Gyi
24 June 2008

Ruili (Mizzima)– There has been a 300 per cent rise in the sale of motorcycles in Jie Gao on the Chinese border town due to a possible decision by the junta to issue licenses to all two wheelers without license in Burma.

There is speculation that the Road Transportation Department is going to allow registration of all motorbikes, locally known as "without" for not having a license. Smugglers import motorbikes from neighbouring countries such as China and Thailand without paying import tax and bribing local authorities. Soon after the news of the license spread the sale of motorbikes in Jie Gao rose from 300 bikes a day to 1,000 bikes a day.

"We heard that license will be issued to 'without' (license) bikes in early July. " a member of Muse Chamber of Commerce and Industry said in condition of anonymity.

The junta suspended issuing license in 2004 to these motorcycles smuggled from neighbouring countries.

"The new motorcycle license will be issued from July 2 so many people are going to the border to buy bikes," a bike dealer from Mandalay said.

Speculation suggest the license will be issued as the government wanting to raise funds for Cyclone Nargis victims. But these new motorcycles owners will not get rationed petrol like other bike owners do. Burma has been selling gasoline and diesel under a rationing system since 1980.

The popular brand names of China manufactured bikes among the Burmese people are 'Kenbo' and 'Luojia'. These motorcycles are selling like hot cakes on the border and the buyers have to stand in queue.

The motorcycles selling in Jie Gao are specially made and manufactured for the Burma market and are cheaper than the domestic ones and are selling at RMB 2,500 (360 US$) to 2,800 (403 US$).

Meanwhile over 70 'without' motorcycles carried by smugglers were seized and in Manshi in June. A smuggler was killed and two injured in Kutkai when soldiers opened fire.