Timor-Leste-Malaysia Bilateral Trade Analysis 2023
Complete trade statistics: $43.14M total volume •Timor-Leste deficit: $42.42M
Timor-Leste → Malaysia
$362,053
Exports (2023)
Malaysia → Timor-Leste
$42.78M
Imports (2023)
Trade Balance
$42.42M
Deficit for Timor-Leste
Total Trade
$43.14M
Combined Volume
Trade Flow Visualization
Direct trade relationship between Timor-Leste and Malaysia. 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-Malaysia commercial relationship and competitive positioning in global markets.
Timor-Leste → Malaysia Exports
Export Market Intelligence
🎯 Strategic Export Focus
Timor-Leste's export portfolio to Malaysia demonstrates strategic specialization, with styrene polymers: acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (abs) copolymers, in primary forms representing a key competitive advantage in this bilateral market.
Malaysia → Timor-Leste Imports
Import Dependency Profile
📦 Import Strategy Analysis
Timor-Leste's import pattern from Malaysia reveals significant dependencyin petroleum oils and oils from bituminous minerals, not crude: preparations n.e.c. containing by weight 70% or more of petroleum oils or oils from bituminous minerals: these being the basic constituents of the preparations: waste oils, highlighting complementary economic structures and potential supply chain optimization opportunities.
Competitive Trade Position Analysis
Market Leadership
Timor-Leste demonstrates competitive strength in exportingstyrene polymers: acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (abs) copolymers, in primary forms to Malaysia, leveraging comparative advantages.
Trade Complementarity
The bilateral relationship showsmoderatecomplementarity, with each country specializing in different sectors.
Growth Potential
The $43.14M trade volume indicates substantial economic integration with room for expansion in emerging sectors.
Executive Summary: Timor-Leste-Malaysia Trade Relationship
Key Trade Highlights 2023
- Total Trade Volume: $43.14 millionrepresenting a significant bilateral economic relationship
- Trade Balance: Timor-Leste maintains a deficit of $42.42 million
- Export Focus: Timor-Leste's primary exports include styrene polymers: acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (abs) copolymers, in primary forms, ferrous waste and scrap: n.e.c. in heading no. 7204, machinery: for working rubber or plastics or for the manufacture of products from these materials, n.e.c. in this chapter
- Import Dependencies: Key imports from Malaysia include petroleum oils and oils from bituminous minerals, not crude: preparations n.e.c. containing by weight 70% or more of petroleum oils or oils from bituminous minerals: these being the basic constituents of the preparations: waste oils, iron or non-alloy steel: flat-rolled, width 600mm or more, painted, varnished or coated with plastics, meat and edible offal: of fowls of the species gallus domesticus, not cut in pieces, frozen
Strategic Trade Indicators
📈 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 $43.14M 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 styrene polymers: acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (abs) copolymers, in primary forms.
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
Comparative Advantage
Timor-Leste's specialization in styrene polymers: acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (abs) copolymers, in primary formscomplements Malaysia's demand patterns, creating natural trade synergies.
Supply Chain Integration
Deep integration in global value chains has strengthened bilateral linkages, particularly in petroleum oils and oils from bituminous minerals, not crude: preparations n.e.c. containing by weight 70% or more of petroleum oils or oils from bituminous minerals: these being the basic constituents of the preparations: waste oils.
Market Access & Trade Policy
Favorable trade agreements and market access conditions have facilitated the growth of this $43.14M bilateral relationship.
Trade Pattern Insights
Trade Relationship Outlook
The $43.14M 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 $43.14 million bilateral trade volume represents a important trade relationshipfor both economies.
Industrial Integration
Trade flows in styrene polymers: acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (abs) copolymers, in primary forms and petroleum oils and oils from bituminous minerals, not crude: preparations n.e.c. containing by weight 70% or more of petroleum oils or oils from bituminous minerals: these being the basic constituents of the preparations: waste oils demonstrate deep industrial linkages and supply chain integration.
Trade Balance Effects
Timor-Leste's trade deficit of $42.42 million impacts its overall economic position in this bilateral relationship.
Strategic Future Outlook
🚀Growth Opportunities
⚠️Risk Factors
🎯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 Malaysia represents a total trade volume of $43.14 million in 2023. This partnership demonstrates an unfavorable trade balance for Timor-Leste, with imports exceeding exportsby $42.42 million.
Export Strengths
Timor-Leste's exports to Malaysia total $362.05 thousand, with competitive advantages in styrene polymers: acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (abs) copolymers, in primary forms, representing $267,529 or73.9% of bilateral exports.
Import Dependencies
Imports from Malaysia amount to $42.78 million, highlighting economic interdependence in petroleum oils and oils from bituminous minerals, not crude: preparations n.e.c. containing by weight 70% or more of petroleum oils or oils from bituminous minerals: these being the basic constituents of the preparations: waste oils, with Petroleum oils and oils from bituminous minerals, not crude: preparations n.e.c. containing by weight 70% or more of petroleum oils or oils from bituminous minerals: these being the basic constituents of the preparations: waste oils comprising65.2% of total imports.
The trade relationship reflects broader economic patterns and comparative advantages. The trade deficit indicates Timor-Leste's strategic sourcing from Malaysia. 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 Malaysia in multiple formats.
Data Source: CEPII BACI (Base pour l'Analyse du Commerce International) • Last Updated: January 2025 • Coverage: 1995-2023