Trade Scenario Between Bangladesh and Bhutan
A general Trade Agreement between Bangladesh and Bhutan was signed in May 2003 for a 5-year term with provision for renewal beyond that period with its Protocol. After the expiry of this Trade Agreement, a new Agreement, with a 5-year term, was signed on 7 November, 2009 during the visit of the Hon’ble PM of Bangladesh. Bangladesh has started internal process to renew this agreement as per decision taken at the Commerce Secretary level meeting held in Thimphu during 09-10 April 2014 and renewed on 06 December 2014. The Bangladesh side attached the importance on the exchange of trade and investment related information among the business people and having cooperation· among business community and especially on cooperation among the Chambers of Commerce in the two countries. The Bhutanese side
Bhutanese Highest Business organization was requested to field a business delegation to Bangladesh to explore the huge business opportunities. Bhutanese side agreed to encourage the private sector as well as the Bhutan Chamber of Commerce & Industry to take the initiative of sending a business delegation to Bangladesh, while at the same the Bangladeshi side will also look into fielding a business delegation to Bhutan. The Bhutanese side shared the interest of promoting Bhutan as an investment market and stressed on the need to undertake special efforts for furthering trade and bilateral investment in the interest of the private sector of both the countries. The Bhutanese side also narrated the initiative being taken to develop the industrial estates along the southern part of the country near the huge Indian market and cited the availability of clean hydropower at competitive rates besides other incentives available
Bangladesh’s export to Bhutan: Fruit juice, breakfast cereal, Garments, Melamine, Pharmaceuticals, Toiletries, kitchenware etc. dominate the export of Bangladesh to Bhutan.
Bangladesh imports: Fruits, minerals & stones, spices, cereal, prepared animal fodder etc. spices from Bhutan
Export and Import Statistics Between Bangladesh and Bhutan ( Value in milliom US$)
Fiscal Year |
Import from Bhutan |
Export to Bhutan |
Balance of Trade |
Total Trade |
2008-2009 |
12.16 |
0.61 |
(-) 11.55 |
12.77 |
2009-2010 |
11.98 |
2.24 |
(-) 9.74 |
14.22 |
2010-2011 |
18.60 |
3.12 |
(-) 15.48 |
21.72 |
2011-2012 |
20.71 |
9.13 |
(-) 11.04 |
29.84 |
2012-2013 |
24.67 |
1.82 |
(-) 22.85 |
26.49 |
2013-2014 (July-March) |
18.14 |
1.37 |
(-) 9.01 |
10.59 |
2015-16 |
21.60 |
4.74 |
(-) 16.86 |
26.34 |
2016-17 |
33.13 |
3.21 |
(-) 29.92 |
36.34 |
2017-18 |
32.30 |
4.38 |
(-) 27.92 |
36.68 |
2018-19 |
49.90 |
7.56 |
(-) 42.34 |
57.46 |
2019-20 |
40.90 |
4.36 |
(-) 36.54 |
45.26 |
2020-21 |
38.80 |
6.89 |
(-) 31.91 |
45.69 |
2021-22 |
35.50 |
9.56 |
(-) 25.94 |
45.06 |
2022-23 |
|
22.11 |
|
|
2023-24 |
31.19 |
9.36 |
(-)21.83 |
40.55 |
Top 20 Exported Item in Bhutan for the year 2023-2024:
Sl |
Item Name |
Amount in USD |
1 |
22029900: Waters, including mineral waters and aerated waters...Excl. Non-alcoholic beer |
2,147,956.43 |
2 |
26190000: Slag,Dross,Etc,From The Manufacture Of Iron/Steel (Excl.Granulated Slag) |
1,723,625.63 |
3 |
20098900: Juice of any other single fruit or vegetable other than Cranberry Juice |
1,140,195.47 |
4 |
34011100: Soap And Organic Surface-Active Products In Bars, Etc, For Toilet Use |
407,087.19 |
5 |
39241000: Tableware And Kitchenware Of Plastics |
381,324.88 |
6 |
30049099: Other(excl.anti-malaria, anti-TB, anti-leprosy....and kidney dialysis solution |
338,314.09 |
7 |
94035000: Wooden Furniture Of A Kind Used In The Bedroom (Excl. Seats) |
215,289.72 |
8 |
20052000: Potatoes, Preserved Other Than By Vinegar Or Acetic Acid, Not Frozen |
208,553.36 |
9 |
19053100: SWEET BISCUITS, TV |
203,683.20 |
10 |
48030000: Toilet,Facial Tissue,Towel,Napkin Stock & Similar Paper, In Rolls Or Sheet |
186,631.26 |
11 |
61091000: T-Shirts, Singlets And Other Vests, Of Cotton, Knitted Or Crocheted |
137,361.29 |
12 |
62082100: Women'S Or Girls' Nightdresses And Pyjamas Of Cotton |
130,076.79 |
13 |
76151010: Table, kitchen or other household articles and parts thereof; of aluminium... polishing |
128,960.32 |
14 |
61034200: Men'S Or Boys' Trousers, Etc, Of Cotton, Knitted Or Crocheted |
124,359.36 |
15 |
22021000: Waters (Incl. Mineral And Aerated), With Added Sugar, Sweetener, Etc |
123,608.64 |
16 |
62033200: Men'S Or Boys' Jackets And Blazers Of Cotton |
120,917.49 |
17 |
94036090: Wooden Furniture, Nes |
120,359.47 |
18 |
76101000: Doors, Windows And Their Frames And Thresholds For Doors, Of Aluminium |
110,484.90 |
19 |
19059000: Pastry,Cakes,Other Bread, Etc, Nes; Communion Wafers, Rice Paper, Etc, TV |
97,214.32 |
20 |
63051000: Sacks And Bags, Used For Packing Goods, Of Jute, Etc |
90,381.83 |
Total Export Amount: 9,368,012 USD