Teknaf:  The value of the Burmese kyat has increased recently in comparison to the  Bangladesh taka on the border of the two countries, but cross-border trading continues normally, said a trader from Teknaf border town.

Last month, the rate of exchange between the Burmese kyat and Bangladesh taka was 18.5 to one, but today the exchange rate was 15.3 kyat to one taka. Similarly, the value of Burmese currency has increased compared to the value of the US dollar on the western border.

The exchange rate for the Burmese kyat to US dollars earlier was 160,000 kyat to 100 US dollars, but the kyat has risen to 120,000 to 100 on the western border.

"In a decade I have never seen the value of the Burmese currency increase like this, but I do not know the reason behind this," the trader said.

The reason for the increase in the value of the kyat is not known, and traders and analysts from the border area are unable to comment on the recent trend.

Even though Burmese currency is increasing in value on the western border, goods from Burma including rice, teak, and fish, among others, continue to be exported to Bangladesh by merchants via the Teknaf border point as usual.