YANGON - Myanmar has resumed border trade with Thailand at Myawaddy trade point opposite to Thailand's Maesot after the Myanmar-Thai Friendship Bridge there was closed for nearly one and a half years, official media reported Wednesday.

With the reopening of the border point at the request of the Thai side, border trade activities between the two countries have become active again.

"The resumption of Myawaddy trade zone will bring about friendship and trade between the two countries while contributing to the economic development of the border area," Minister of Commerce U Win Myint was quoted by the New Light of Myanmar as saying.

Myanmar-Thai border trade at Myawaddy started in September 1998 but was suspended in July 2010 as the friendship bridge across the Moei River was under repair.

According to official statistics, bilateral trade between Myanmar and Thailand hit $2.9 billion in the fiscal year 2010-11, decreasing by 18 percent correspondingly.

Of the total, Myanmar's export to Thailand amounted to $2.4 billion, while its import from the Southeast Asian neighbor stood about $533 million, enjoying a trade surplus of $1.8 billion.

Thailand stood first in Myanmar's foreign trade partner line-up during the year, followed by China, Hong Kong SAR, India, Singapore, Japan, Malaysia and South Korea.

Thailand's key exports to Myanmar include textiles, shoes, marine products, rice, rubber, jewelry, motor cars, computer and electronic accessories, while its import from Myanmar forestry products, marine products, agricultural produces and natural gas.

More statistics show that Thailand represented the second in Myanmar's foreign investment line-up with 9.568 billion dollars in 61 projects.