Despite Covid disruption, Bhutan’s export in 2020 has increased to $652 million, recording a slight growth of 2 percent, mainly driven by growth in hydropower export, the national newspaper Kuensel reported. While in the same period, its import has plunged almost 4 percent, from $937 million in 2010 to $896 million in the following year. 

According to the trade statistics, the trade deficit has come down by almost 17 percent, which was $621 million in 2019 and $510 million in 2020. 

However, the country’s non-hydro export has plunged by 33 percent. In 2019, the non-hydro export accounted for $424 million while just $ 281 in 2020. 

Bhutan exported electricity to India worth $374 million last year while it imported the same from India worth $2.4 million. India remains the largest export destination for Bhutan, around 33 percent of the total. Electricity, cement, cardamom and minerals are some of Bhutan’s major exports to India. 

Other items that the country exports are silicon, cement, boulder, gypsum, and anhydrite. Bangladesh and Nepal are other main destinations for Bhutan’s export. 

India accounted for 76 percent of total imports of Bhutan. France and China are other top import partners for Bhutan.

(SAM)