Bhutan-France Bilateral Trade Analysis 2023

Complete trade statistics: $1.51M total volume •Bhutan deficit: $298,020

BhutanFrance

$604,529

Exports (2023)

FranceBhutan

$902,549

Imports (2023)

Trade Balance

$298,020

Deficit for Bhutan

Total Trade

$1.51M

Combined Volume

Trade Flow Visualization

Direct trade relationship between Bhutan and France. Green line shows exports from Bhutan, red line shows imports.

Detailed Product Trade Analysis

Comprehensive breakdown of trade flows by product category, revealing the specialized nature of the Bhutan-France commercial relationship and competitive positioning in global markets.

BhutanFrance Exports

$604,529
2023 Total

Export Market Intelligence

Product Diversity:
Specialized Focus
Market Share:
83.8% top product
1Ferro-alloys: ferro-silicon, containing by weight more than 55% of silicon
$506,445
83.8% of exports
2Tools, hand: other hand tools (including glaziers diamonds), excluding household tools, drilling, threading or tapping tools, hammers and sledge hammers, planes, chisels, gouges and similar cutting tools for working wood, and screwdrivers
$26,766
4.4% of exports
3Plants and parts (including seeds and fruits) n.e.c. in heading no. 1211, of a kind used primarily in perfumery, in pharmacy or for insecticidal, fungicidal or similar purposes, fresh, chilled, frozen or dried, whether or not cut, crushed or powdered
$17,747
2.9% of exports
4Perfumes and deodorizers: perfuming or deodorizing preparations for rooms, agarbatti and other odoriferous preparations which operate by burning (including those used during religious rites)
$9,109
1.5% of exports
5Valves: for oleohydraulic or pneumatic transmissions
$8,496
1.4% of exports

🎯 Strategic Export Focus

Bhutan's export portfolio to France demonstrates strategic specialization, with ferro-alloys: ferro-silicon, containing by weight more than 55% of silicon representing a key competitive advantage in this bilateral market.

FranceBhutan Imports

$902,549
2023 Total

Import Dependency Profile

Supply Diversity:
Concentrated
Critical Imports:
69.8% concentration
1Navigational instruments and appliances: for aeronautical or space navigation (excluding compasses)
$629,776
69.8% of imports
2Wine: still, in containers holding 2 litres or less
$125,729
13.9% of imports
3Electrical apparatus: lightning arresters, voltage limiters and surge suppressors (for a voltage exceeding 1000 volts)
$38,568
4.3% of imports
4Electrical apparatus: n.e.c. in heading no. 8536, for switching or protecting electrical circuits, for a voltage not exceeding 1000 volts
$20,149
2.2% of imports
5Aircraft and spacecraft: parts of aeroplanes or helicopters n.e.c. in heading no. 8803
$15,155
1.7% of imports

📦 Import Strategy Analysis

Bhutan's import pattern from France reveals strategic sourcingin navigational instruments and appliances: for aeronautical or space navigation (excluding compasses), highlighting complementary economic structures and potential supply chain optimization opportunities.

Competitive Trade Position Analysis

🏆

Market Leadership

Bhutan demonstrates competitive strength in exportingferro-alloys: ferro-silicon, containing by weight more than 55% of silicon to France, leveraging comparative advantages.

Export Leader in 5+ Categories
🔄

Trade Complementarity

The bilateral relationship showsstrongcomplementarity, with each country specializing in different sectors.

Highly Balanced
📈

Growth Potential

The $1.51M trade volume indicates substantial economic integration with room for expansion in emerging sectors.

Significant Partnership

Executive Summary: Bhutan-France Trade Relationship

Key Trade Highlights 2023

  • Total Trade Volume: $1.51 millionrepresenting a significant bilateral economic relationship
  • Trade Balance: Bhutan maintains a deficit of $298.02 thousand
  • Export Focus: Bhutan's primary exports include ferro-alloys: ferro-silicon, containing by weight more than 55% of silicon, tools, hand: other hand tools (including glaziers diamonds), excluding household tools, drilling, threading or tapping tools, hammers and sledge hammers, planes, chisels, gouges and similar cutting tools for working wood, and screwdrivers, plants and parts (including seeds and fruits) n.e.c. in heading no. 1211, of a kind used primarily in perfumery, in pharmacy or for insecticidal, fungicidal or similar purposes, fresh, chilled, frozen or dried, whether or not cut, crushed or powdered
  • Import Dependencies: Key imports from France include navigational instruments and appliances: for aeronautical or space navigation (excluding compasses), wine: still, in containers holding 2 litres or less, electrical apparatus: lightning arresters, voltage limiters and surge suppressors (for a voltage exceeding 1000 volts)

Strategic Trade Indicators

Trade IntensityHigh
Export DiversificationConcentrated
Trade Balance HealthBalanced

📈 Market Position: This bilateral trade relationship represents an important regional trade partnerships, with complementary economic strengths driving sustained commercial exchange.

Historical Trade Analysis & Economic Context

Trade Evolution Timeline

2019-2023: Recent Trends

Current trade volume of $1.51M represents the culmination of evolving bilateral commercial relationships, influenced by global supply chain shifts and changing economic priorities.

2015-2019: Growth Period

Sustained expansion in bilateral trade driven by complementary economic structures, with Bhutan leveraging its comparative advantages in ferro-alloys: ferro-silicon, containing by weight more than 55% of silicon.

2010-2015: Foundation Building

Establishment of modern trade frameworks and reduction of barriers, facilitating increased commercial exchange and investment flows between the two economies.

Pre-2010: Early Development

Initial stages of bilateral trade relationship development, with focus on traditional export-import patterns and gradual market integration.

Key Economic Drivers

1

Comparative Advantage

Bhutan's specialization in ferro-alloys: ferro-silicon, containing by weight more than 55% of siliconcomplements France's demand patterns, creating natural trade synergies.

2

Supply Chain Integration

Deep integration in global value chains has strengthened bilateral linkages, particularly in navigational instruments and appliances: for aeronautical or space navigation (excluding compasses).

3

Market Access & Trade Policy

Favorable trade agreements and market access conditions have facilitated the growth of this $1.51M bilateral relationship.

Trade Pattern Insights

Trade ComplementarityAsymmetric
Seasonal VariationsModerate
Product ConcentrationMedium
Market DependencyModerate
🔮

Trade Relationship Outlook

The $1.51M bilateral trade volume positions this relationship for continued growth, supported by technological advancement, evolving consumer preferences, and strengthening economic ties. Key opportunities lie in expanding cooperation in emerging sectors while managing potential supply chain vulnerabilities.

Economic Impact & Strategic Outlook

Economic Impact Assessment

💰

Trade Volume Impact

The $1.51 million bilateral trade volume represents a important trade relationshipfor both economies.

Economic Significance: Moderate
🏭

Industrial Integration

Trade flows in ferro-alloys: ferro-silicon, containing by weight more than 55% of silicon and navigational instruments and appliances: for aeronautical or space navigation (excluding compasses) demonstrate deep industrial linkages and supply chain integration.

Supply Chain Integration: Specialized
⚖️

Trade Balance Effects

Bhutan's trade deficit of $298.02 thousand impacts its overall economic position in this bilateral relationship.

Balance Impact: Well Balanced

Strategic Future Outlook

🚀Growth Opportunities

Emerging Sectors
Technology transfer and innovation cooperation in tools, hand: other hand tools (including glaziers diamonds), excluding household tools, drilling, threading or tapping tools, hammers and sledge hammers, planes, chisels, gouges and similar cutting tools for working wood, and screwdrivers present expansion opportunities.
Market Diversification
Beyond current focus on navigational instruments and appliances: for aeronautical or space navigation (excluding compasses), new product categories offer potential for trade expansion.

⚠️Risk Factors

Supply Chain Vulnerabilities
Moderate concentration in key sectors requires monitoring
Market Competition
Global competition in ferro-alloys: ferro-silicon, containing by weight more than 55% of silicon may affect future market positioning.

🎯Strategic Recommendations

  • Strengthen cooperation in high-value sectors beyond current trade patterns
  • Develop alternative supply chains to reduce dependency risks
  • Explore joint ventures in emerging technology sectors
  • Enhance trade facilitation and reduce transaction costs

Market Position & Competitive Summary

The bilateral trade relationship between Bhutan and France represents a total trade volume of $1.51 million in 2023. This partnership demonstrates an unfavorable trade balance for Bhutan, with imports exceeding exportsby $298.02 thousand.

Export Strengths

Bhutan's exports to France total $604.53 thousand, with competitive advantages in ferro-alloys: ferro-silicon, containing by weight more than 55% of silicon, representing $506,445 or83.8% of bilateral exports.

Import Dependencies

Imports from France amount to $902.55 thousand, highlighting economic interdependence in navigational instruments and appliances: for aeronautical or space navigation (excluding compasses), with Navigational instruments and appliances: for aeronautical or space navigation (excluding compasses) comprising69.8% of total imports.

The trade relationship reflects broader economic patterns and comparative advantages. The trade deficit indicates Bhutan's strategic sourcing from France. This partnership is characterized by complementary trade flows, with each country specializing in different product categories based on their respective economic strengths, industrial capabilities, and position in global value chains.

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Data Source: CEPII BACI (Base pour l'Analyse du Commerce International) • Last Updated: January 2025 • Coverage: 1995-2023