Timor-Leste-Japan Bilateral Trade Analysis 2023

Complete trade statistics: $33.99M total volume •Timor-Leste surplus: $13.30M

Timor-LesteJapan

$23.65M

Exports (2023)

JapanTimor-Leste

$10.34M

Imports (2023)

Trade Balance

$13.30M

Surplus for Timor-Leste

Total Trade

$33.99M

Combined Volume

Trade Flow Visualization

Direct trade relationship between Timor-Leste and Japan. Green line shows exports from Timor-Leste, red line shows imports.

Detailed Product Trade Analysis

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

Timor-LesteJapan Exports

$23.65M
2023 Total

Export Market Intelligence

Product Diversity:
Specialized Focus
Market Share:
75.8% top product
1Petroleum gases and other gaseous hydrocarbons: liquefied, butanes
$17.92M
75.8% of exports
2Petroleum gases and other gaseous hydrocarbons: liquefied, propane
$4.53M
19.2% of exports
3Coffee: not roasted or decaffeinated
$1.19M
5.0% of exports
4Plants 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
$3,844
0.0% of exports
5Vegetable products: fit for human consumption, n.e.c. in heading no. 1212, fresh, chilled, frozen or dried, whether or not ground
$2,676
0.0% of exports

🎯 Strategic Export Focus

Timor-Leste's export portfolio to Japan demonstrates strategic specialization, with petroleum gases and other gaseous hydrocarbons: liquefied, butanes representing a key competitive advantage in this bilateral market.

JapanTimor-Leste Imports

$10.34M
2023 Total

Import Dependency Profile

Supply Diversity:
Concentrated
Critical Imports:
37.7% concentration
1Vehicles: with only spark-ignition internal combustion reciprocating piston engine, cylinder capacity over 1000 but not over 1500cc
$3.90M
37.7% of imports
2Vehicles: with only spark-ignition internal combustion reciprocating piston engine, cylinder capacity over 1500 but not over 3000cc
$2.02M
19.5% of imports
3Vehicles: with only compression-ignition internal combustion piston engine (diesel or semi-diesel), cylinder capacity over 2500cc
$1.84M
17.8% of imports
4Vehicles: with only spark-ignition internal combustion reciprocating piston engine, cylinder capacity not over 1000cc
$950,408
9.2% of imports
5Vehicles: with both spark-ignition internal combustion reciprocating piston engine and electric motor for propulsion, incapable of being charged by plugging to external source of electric power
$236,385
2.3% of imports

📦 Import Strategy Analysis

Timor-Leste's import pattern from Japan reveals significant dependencyin vehicles: with only spark-ignition internal combustion reciprocating piston engine, cylinder capacity over 1000 but not over 1500cc, highlighting complementary economic structures and potential supply chain optimization opportunities.

Competitive Trade Position Analysis

🏆

Market Leadership

Timor-Leste demonstrates competitive strength in exportingpetroleum gases and other gaseous hydrocarbons: liquefied, butanes to Japan, 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 $33.99M trade volume indicates substantial economic integration with room for expansion in emerging sectors.

Significant Partnership

Executive Summary: Timor-Leste-Japan Trade Relationship

Key Trade Highlights 2023

  • Total Trade Volume: $33.99 millionrepresenting a significant bilateral economic relationship
  • Trade Balance: Timor-Leste maintains a surplus of $13.30 million
  • Export Focus: Timor-Leste's primary exports include petroleum gases and other gaseous hydrocarbons: liquefied, butanes, petroleum gases and other gaseous hydrocarbons: liquefied, propane, coffee: not roasted or decaffeinated
  • Import Dependencies: Key imports from Japan include vehicles: with only spark-ignition internal combustion reciprocating piston engine, cylinder capacity over 1000 but not over 1500cc, vehicles: with only spark-ignition internal combustion reciprocating piston engine, cylinder capacity over 1500 but not over 3000cc, vehicles: with only compression-ignition internal combustion piston engine (diesel or semi-diesel), cylinder capacity over 2500cc

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 $33.99M 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 Timor-Leste leveraging its comparative advantages in petroleum gases and other gaseous hydrocarbons: liquefied, butanes.

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

Timor-Leste's specialization in petroleum gases and other gaseous hydrocarbons: liquefied, butanescomplements Japan's demand patterns, creating natural trade synergies.

2

Supply Chain Integration

Deep integration in global value chains has strengthened bilateral linkages, particularly in vehicles: with only spark-ignition internal combustion reciprocating piston engine, cylinder capacity over 1000 but not over 1500cc.

3

Market Access & Trade Policy

Favorable trade agreements and market access conditions have facilitated the growth of this $33.99M bilateral relationship.

Trade Pattern Insights

Trade ComplementarityAsymmetric
Seasonal VariationsModerate
Product ConcentrationMedium
Market DependencyHigh
🔮

Trade Relationship Outlook

The $33.99M 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 $33.99 million bilateral trade volume represents a important trade relationshipfor both economies.

Economic Significance: Moderate
🏭

Industrial Integration

Trade flows in petroleum gases and other gaseous hydrocarbons: liquefied, butanes and vehicles: with only spark-ignition internal combustion reciprocating piston engine, cylinder capacity over 1000 but not over 1500cc demonstrate deep industrial linkages and supply chain integration.

Supply Chain Integration: Specialized
⚖️

Trade Balance Effects

Timor-Leste's trade surplus of $13.30 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 petroleum gases and other gaseous hydrocarbons: liquefied, propane present expansion opportunities.
Market Diversification
Beyond current focus on vehicles: with only spark-ignition internal combustion reciprocating piston engine, cylinder capacity over 1000 but not over 1500cc, 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 petroleum gases and other gaseous hydrocarbons: liquefied, butanes 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 Timor-Leste and Japan represents a total trade volume of $33.99 million in 2023. This partnership demonstrates a favorable trade balance for Timor-Leste, with exports exceeding importsby $13.30 million.

Export Strengths

Timor-Leste's exports to Japan total $23.65 million, with competitive advantages in petroleum gases and other gaseous hydrocarbons: liquefied, butanes, representing $17.92M or75.8% of bilateral exports.

Import Dependencies

Imports from Japan amount to $10.34 million, highlighting economic interdependence in vehicles: with only spark-ignition internal combustion reciprocating piston engine, cylinder capacity over 1000 but not over 1500cc, with Vehicles: with only spark-ignition internal combustion reciprocating piston engine, cylinder capacity over 1000 but not over 1500cc comprising37.7% of total imports.

The trade relationship reflects broader economic patterns and comparative advantages. The trade surplus indicates Timor-Leste'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 Timor-Leste and Japan in multiple formats.

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