Abstract

• Lashio is a largest trading town of northern Shan State. It is located on the main trading road connecting with China and Central Myanmar. Most of the traded commodities come from China, Yangon, Mandalay, Thailand and near townships. Most customers are from Lashio town and nearby village tracts. The paper investigates the main trade flows and connections, including seven main commodities: rice, corn, vegetables, grocery, clothes, electronic goods and car accessories. As the urban area expands, trading activities gradually expand from the town centre into urban expansion areas. Small shops and wholesale centres and their connections have been investigated.The paper is based on quantitative and qualitative fieldwork in Lashio. First a literature review took place and secondary data (numbers and types of shops) was collected from General Administrative Department of Lashio, Lashio City Development Committee and Lashio Trade Organization. Then key actors were asked in qualitative open interviews with local experts (retailers and wholesalers). Finally, a SWOT analysis comes to a comprehensive assessment