Singapore-Bhutan Bilateral Trade Analysis 2023

Complete trade statistics: $97.29M total volume •Singapore surplus: $93.78M

SingaporeBhutan

$95.53M

Exports (2023)

BhutanSingapore

$1.75M

Imports (2023)

Trade Balance

$93.78M

Surplus for Singapore

Total Trade

$97.29M

Combined Volume

Trade Flow Visualization

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

Detailed Product Trade Analysis

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

SingaporeBhutan Exports

$95.53M
2023 Total

Export Market Intelligence

Product Diversity:
Specialized Focus
Market Share:
73.5% top product
1Metals: gold, semi-manufactured
$70.23M
73.5% of exports
2Telephones for cellular networks or for other wireless networks
$9.81M
10.3% of exports
3Communication apparatus (excluding telephone sets or base stations): machines for the reception, conversion and transmission or regeneration of voice, images or other data, including switching and routing apparatus
$3.81M
4.0% of exports
4Metals: gold, non-monetary, unwrought (but not powder)
$2.03M
2.1% of exports
5Units of automatic data processing machines: processing units other than those of item no. 8471.41 or 8471.49, whether or not containing in the same housing one or two of the following types of unit: storage units, input units or output units
$1.34M
1.4% of exports

🎯 Strategic Export Focus

Singapore's export portfolio to Bhutan demonstrates strategic specialization, with metals: gold, semi-manufactured representing a key competitive advantage in this bilateral market.

BhutanSingapore Imports

$1.75M
2023 Total

Import Dependency Profile

Supply Diversity:
Concentrated
Critical Imports:
37.7% concentration
1Jewellery: of precious metal (excluding silver) whether or not plated or clad with precious metal, and parts thereof
$660,516
37.7% of imports
2Aircraft and spacecraft: parts of aeroplanes or helicopters n.e.c. in heading no. 8803
$531,173
30.3% of imports
3Turbines: parts of turbo-jets and turbo-propellers
$233,296
13.3% of imports
4Coffee: not roasted or decaffeinated
$63,691
3.6% of imports
5Medicaments: consisting of mixed or unmixed products n.e.c. in heading no. 3004, for therapeutic or prophylactic uses, packaged for retail sale
$50,331
2.9% of imports

📦 Import Strategy Analysis

Singapore's import pattern from Bhutan reveals significant dependencyin jewellery: of precious metal (excluding silver) whether or not plated or clad with precious metal, and parts thereof, highlighting complementary economic structures and potential supply chain optimization opportunities.

Competitive Trade Position Analysis

🏆

Market Leadership

Singapore demonstrates competitive strength in exportingmetals: gold, semi-manufactured to Bhutan, leveraging comparative advantages.

Export Leader in 5+ Categories
🔄

Trade Complementarity

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

Specialized Exchange
📈

Growth Potential

The $97.29M trade volume indicates substantial economic integration with room for expansion in emerging sectors.

Significant Partnership

Executive Summary: Singapore-Bhutan Trade Relationship

Key Trade Highlights 2023

  • Total Trade Volume: $97.29 millionrepresenting a significant bilateral economic relationship
  • Trade Balance: Singapore maintains a surplus of $93.78 million
  • Export Focus: Singapore's primary exports include metals: gold, semi-manufactured, telephones for cellular networks or for other wireless networks, communication apparatus (excluding telephone sets or base stations): machines for the reception, conversion and transmission or regeneration of voice, images or other data, including switching and routing apparatus
  • Import Dependencies: Key imports from Bhutan include jewellery: of precious metal (excluding silver) whether or not plated or clad with precious metal, and parts thereof, aircraft and spacecraft: parts of aeroplanes or helicopters n.e.c. in heading no. 8803, turbines: parts of turbo-jets and turbo-propellers

Strategic Trade Indicators

Trade IntensityHigh
Export DiversificationConcentrated
Trade Balance HealthImbalanced

📈 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 $97.29M 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 Singapore leveraging its comparative advantages in metals: gold, semi-manufactured.

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

Singapore's specialization in metals: gold, semi-manufacturedcomplements Bhutan's demand patterns, creating natural trade synergies.

2

Supply Chain Integration

Deep integration in global value chains has strengthened bilateral linkages, particularly in jewellery: of precious metal (excluding silver) whether or not plated or clad with precious metal, and parts thereof.

3

Market Access & Trade Policy

Favorable trade agreements and market access conditions have facilitated the growth of this $97.29M bilateral relationship.

Trade Pattern Insights

Trade ComplementarityAsymmetric
Seasonal VariationsModerate
Product ConcentrationMedium
Market DependencyHigh
🔮

Trade Relationship Outlook

The $97.29M 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 $97.29 million bilateral trade volume represents a important trade relationshipfor both economies.

Economic Significance: Moderate
🏭

Industrial Integration

Trade flows in metals: gold, semi-manufactured and jewellery: of precious metal (excluding silver) whether or not plated or clad with precious metal, and parts thereof demonstrate deep industrial linkages and supply chain integration.

Supply Chain Integration: Specialized
⚖️

Trade Balance Effects

Singapore's trade surplus of $93.78 million strengthens its overall economic position in this bilateral relationship.

Balance Impact: Export Advantage

Strategic Future Outlook

🚀Growth Opportunities

Emerging Sectors
Technology transfer and innovation cooperation in telephones for cellular networks or for other wireless networks present expansion opportunities.
Market Diversification
Beyond current focus on jewellery: of precious metal (excluding silver) whether or not plated or clad with precious metal, and parts thereof, new product categories offer potential for trade expansion.

⚠️Risk Factors

Supply Chain Vulnerabilities
High trade imbalance may create supply chain risks
Market Competition
Global competition in metals: gold, semi-manufactured 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 Singapore and Bhutan represents a total trade volume of $97.29 million in 2023. This partnership demonstrates a favorable trade balance for Singapore, with exports exceeding importsby $93.78 million.

Export Strengths

Singapore's exports to Bhutan total $95.53 million, with competitive advantages in metals: gold, semi-manufactured, representing $70.23M or73.5% of bilateral exports.

Import Dependencies

Imports from Bhutan amount to $1.75 million, highlighting economic interdependence in jewellery: of precious metal (excluding silver) whether or not plated or clad with precious metal, and parts thereof, with Jewellery: of precious metal (excluding silver) whether or not plated or clad with precious metal, and parts thereof comprising37.7% of total imports.

The trade relationship reflects broader economic patterns and comparative advantages. The trade surplus indicates Singapore's competitive position in this bilateral relationship. 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.

Download Bilateral Trade Data

Access detailed trade data between Singapore and Bhutan in multiple formats.

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