The Myanmar authorities will privatize some port terminals’ handling business, designating at least three port terminals in Yangon to be handed over to tender winning private enterprises for continued and effective operation, the local weekly Voice reported Monday.The three Yangon port terminals, operated by the government’s Transport Ministry before and now covered by the privatization plan, include Botataung’s, Sule’s and Bo Aung Kyaw’s as well as some other port areas, the Union of Myanmar Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry said.

According to the government’s Privatization Commission, since 2000, two port terminals in Yangon — Asia World’s in Ahlone township and Myanmar International Terminal Thilawa (MITT) in Kyauktan township have been put into private run.

The privatization of port terminals in Myanmar would contribute to the development of sea-borne trade and boost the country’s foreign trade, merchants said.

According to the port authorities, the Yangon Port handled a total of about 10 million tons of export and import merchandises annually over the past three years, up from previous years, signifying a boost in its foreign trade.

Of the over 4 million tons’ export goods, general merchandises, which include rice and rice products, minerals, accounted for 3 million tons, while timber took 1 million tons.

Of the over 5 million tons’ import goods, crude oil and oil products represented over 900,000 tons.

There were 1,200 international cargo ships berthing at the Yangon port for loading and unloading.

There are some four major port terminals at the Yangon port namely Thilawa, Bo Aung Kyaw, Myanmar Industrial and Asia World.

Myanmar registered a total foreign trade of 11.2 billion dollars in 2008-09, of which its export amounted to over 6.7 billion dollars, while its import was valued at over 4.5 billion dollars, enjoying a trade surplus of 2.2 billion dollars.

Myanmar’s foreign trade is mainly with Asian countries, trade with which accounts for 90 percent of the total. The trade with other ASEAN members represents 51.3 percent, European countries 4. 8 percent and American countries 1.5 percent.

Myanmar main export goods are natural gas, agricultural, marine and forestry products, while its key import goods are machinery, crude oil, edible oil, pharmaceutical products, cement, fertilizer and consumers goods.