PASIR MAS: The good news of the country's border reopening on April 1, spells instant relief for traders in Rantau Panjang here, who previously faced a shortage in stocking up the supply of goods for business from Thailand.

       Azira Zahari, 42, a frozen drinks and food trader in Rantau Panjang, said for more than two years, traders in the area had been waiting for the reopening of the border gates to facilitate the search for supplies over there.

       She said during the implementation of the movement control order (PKP), traders faced hardship in obtaining supplies while the rising price of raw materials squeezed them to raise the selling price.

       "As traders of drinks and frozen food, we take halal supplies from Thailand because they are cheap with many options there.

       "Following yesterday's announcement, I and other traders will go to Thailand in accordance with the conditions and will comply with the standard operating procedures (SOP) set by the Health Ministry," she told Bernama here on Wednesday (Mar 9).

       Azira said during the border closure, traders experienced a sharp drop in sales due to fewer visitors coming to Rantau Panjang.

       "After this, we believe economic activities will return to vigour when the country's borders are re-opened as the flow of customers and tourists from other countries coming here will swell in time," she said.

       Meanwhile, a government retiree from Kampung Genting Tumpat, Mohd Iskandar Husin, 61, said during the Covid-19 pandemic, his family could not visit relatives living in Thailand.

       "As people who live near the border, we are used to going back and forth to the neighbouring country for a lot of family affairs as well as trading of goods which has been going on for ages.

       "Yesterday's announcement has been eagerly awaited to end the longing of our relatives over there after being locked down for more than two years," he said. - Bernama