- South Asia includes the sub-Himalayan SAARC countries and some adjoining nations. It is dominated by the Indian plate and bounded by various regions. - Regional connectivity in South Asia has been limited by factors like historical tensions, inadequate transport infrastructure, and trade restrictions. - Intraregional trade accounts for only 5% of South Asia's total trade, compared to 25% for ASEAN nations. Non-tariff barriers make trade between neighbors more expensive. - The document provides export-import data between Bangladesh and India from 2013-2017 to illustrate South Asia's trade patterns and opportunities for growth through improved regional cooperation and connectivity.

1. 3
Introduction
South Asia, or Southern Asia, is the southern region of the Asian continent, which comprises
the sub-Himalayan SAARC countries and, for some authorities, adjoining countries to the west
and east. Topographically, it is dominated by the Indian Plate, which rises above sea
level as Nepal and northern parts of India situated south of the Himalayas and the Hindu Kush.
South Asia is bounded on the south by the Indian Ocean and on land (clockwise, from west)
by West Asia, Central Asia, East Asia, and Southeast Asia.
Regional Connectivity
South Asia is one of the most dynamic regions in the world, with 1.7 billion people and 7.1 percent
economic growth over the past decade. It is also one of the least integrated regions. Historical
political tensions, security concerns, and cross-border conflicts have slowed connectivity
among Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.
The South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) is an economic cooperation
organization in the region which was established in 1985 and includes all eight nations comprising
South Asia.
Trade
South Asia's growing economy helped pull many people out of deep poverty during the past
decade. Economic growth could be even larger -- if regional connectivity is improved to make it
cheaper and easier for businesses to sell products. Intraregional trade among the eight nations
accounts for barely 5 percent of South Asia’s total trade, compared to 25 percent in ASEAN.
Border and regulatory challenges means it is about 20 percent cheaper for a company in India to
trade with Brazil instead of neighboring Pakistan.
Trade among South Asian countries has been limited by many things, especially inadequate road,
marine, and air transport; customs inefficiencies; and restrictions on investments. Less obvious

2. 4
factors include historical political tensions, security concerns, and skepticism based on
misinformation and previous failures in regional cooperation.
Trading Scenario of South Asia
The world trading system has become increasingly open textured over the last few decades. The
triggering factors for this have been the reduction of tariff rates and elimination of quantitative
restrictions. South Asia is looking to attain the goal of customs union and economic union by 2020.
Despite their suitable geographical position, South Asian countries fail to perform according to
their trade potentials. One of the vitiating factors is the lack of regional transit trade unlike
European countries. Nonetheless, partial transit exits between Afghanistan, Bhutan and Nepal.
South Asian countries are incorporating various regional transit agreements and reducing regional
and multilateral trade transportation costs in order to integrate regional connectivity. Bangladesh
is a beneficiary of the Article V of the GATT because of its potential to offer transit to
neighbouring landlocked countries. Nepal and Bhutan are dependent on Indian seaports for export
and import, whereas Afghanistan relies heavily on Pakistani ports. When a twenty-foot container
transported from Delhi to Dhaka reaches Chattogram through Mumbai, Colombo or Singapore, it
costs $2,500 and has to cover some distance by railways from Chittagong to Dhaka. Furthermore,
it takes around 30-35 days. On the other hand, if the same container directly reaches Dhaka by rail,
it will take only 4-5 days and the cost will be only $850. In 2005, a Saarc Regional Multimodal
Transport Study of Asian Development Bank suggests that a decrease of 10 percent transaction
costs may facilitate around 3 percent of exports of a region. Goods from Agartala and Tripura to
India must travel 1,645km through the Kolkata port to reach Chattogram. However, the direct
distance between Agartala and Chattogram is only 75km. Similarly, tea from Assam must travel
1,400km to reach the Kolkata port. Creating direct transportation facilities would reduce travel to
around 400km between Kolkata and Bangladesh.
Bangladesh is working to ensure seamless connectivity among India, Nepal, Bhutan and Myanmar.
It made available two airports in the north of the country for Bhutan and is working to intensify
shipping linkages with Sri Lanka. Although there are many individual bilateral trade agreements
and transit agreements, there is no unified broader regional transport and transit arrangement for

3. 5
cross-border movement of goods and vehicles. To have an integrated framework for trading and
ensure smooth movement of goods, there is no alternative to establishing a nationwide single
window system. Such a scheme will operate as an integrated hub and facilitate the importers,
exporters and all facilities relating to goods in transit. Moreover, it will provide a unified electronic
gateway for information exchange and streamline the entire process. Such schemes shall accelerate
revenue collection and improve trade compliances, transparency and accountability. It will also
help maintain improved coordination among customs and other government agencies, banks, trade
bodies, export promotion councils and insurance companies. For coordination of border
management and inland locations, it is necessary to provide facilities for examination of goods,
stuffing and sealing of containers in the inland container depots under the supervision of customs
and border agencies. Encouraging import clearance in inland locations can impose customs
control. Border haats and special economic zones need further encouragement to develop the
economy of the border area. This will act as the bridge connecting trade corridors in a manner that
they form part of the seamless web of connectivity between the people. There has to be regional
coordination for monitoring the performances. Policies need revision in light of changing global
environment and regional trade. This will significantly improve competitiveness within the region.
The development of the regional trade shall heavily rely upon evolution of corridor services,
introducing new performance standards and implementation of policies both at national and
regional levels. Transit is as important as trade liberalization. It plays an important role both in the
national and regional economies. There is no alternative to the seamless movement of the goods
within the region to reduce transaction costs and time. The countries should design and develop
regional transit agreements in addition to the existing bilateral arrangements to improve the
situation and facilitate free trade.
Main Tradable Goods in South Asia
Textiles Clothing Stone
Animals Vegetables Leather
Chemicals Plastics Transportation
Metal Food products Footwear

4. 6
Export-Import data with South Asian countries
Here 5 years Export-Import data are provided. Most of the cases data are from 2013-2017. In case
of Bhutan, Afghanistan & Nepal some older data are provided as recent data was not available.
Bangladesh’s Export-Import with India in 2017
Product Group Export (US$
Thousand)
Import (US$
Thousand)
Export Product
Share (%)
Import Product Share (%)
All Products 591575.73 7210099.52 100 100
Capital goods 25361.06 1618503.52 4.29 22.45
Consumer goods 263378.7 1413971.05 44.52 19.61
Intermediate goods 175564.95 3108277.69 29.68 43.11
Raw materials 124803.31 1027591.08 21.1 14.25
Animal 13474.28 31218.87 2.28 0.43
Chemicals 13259.19 686935.31 2.24 9.53
Food Products 18052.33 290512.73 3.05 4.03
Footwear 10475.16 26004.16 1.77 0.36
Fuels 21123.08 382604.92 3.57 5.31
Hides and Skins 15352.29 14464.16 2.6 0.2
Mach and Elec 10052.67 799925.44 1.7 11.09
Metals 80333.34 597951.7 13.58 8.29
Minerals 20391.26 114666.34 3.45 1.59
Miscellaneous 4335.73 86915.97 0.73 1.21
Plastic or Rubber 12251.38 298507.87 2.07 4.14
Stone and Glass 2212.17 27154.73 0.37 0.38
Textiles and Clothing 336858.98 2259789.32 56.94 31.34
Transportation 17263.27 963786.46 2.92 13.37
Vegetable 9680.02 568887.76 1.64 7.89
Wood 6460.59 60773.78 1.09 0.84
Bangladesh’s Export-Import with India in 2016
Product Group Export (US$
Thousand)
Import (US$
Thousand)
Export Product
Share (%)
Import Product Share (%)
All Products 677098.05 5668792.84 100 100
Capital goods 24120.52 1291212.04 3.56 22.78
Consumer goods 358047.15 783224.89 52.88 13.82

5. 7
Intermediate goods 134764.32 2792052.17 19.9 49.25
Raw materials 159462.06 801564.14 23.55 14.14
Animal 12990.3 38930.5 1.92 0.69
Chemicals 14581.05 630332.07 2.15 11.12
Food Products 21958.58 169274.79 3.24 2.99
Footwear 14944.39 19729.64 2.21 0.35
Fuels 34864.16 150294.86 5.15 2.65
Hides and Skins 21813.18 12709.38 3.22 0.22
Mach and Elec 4773.79 676787.85 0.7 11.94
Metals 51677.65 571069.66 7.63 10.07
Minerals 13199 100031.63 1.95 1.76
Miscellaneous 2401.12 88408.31 0.35 1.56
Plastic or Rubber 8936.74 282322.94 1.32 4.98
Stone and Glass 2028.49 31349.35 0.3 0.55
Textiles and Clothing 438183.26 1919230.85 64.71 33.86
Transportation 25392.16 704002.58 3.75 12.42
Vegetable 7360.75 223559.1 1.09 3.94
Wood 1993.45 50759.34 0.29 0.9
Bangladesh’s Export-Import with India in 2015
Product Group Export (US$
Thousand)
Import (US$
Thousand)
Export Product
Share (%)
Import Product Share (%)
All Products 517890.71 5882080.04 100 100
Capital goods 15203.07 1001574.6 2.94 17.03
Consumer goods 291194.2 1215899.59 56.23 20.67
Intermediate goods 98758.04 2408787.38 19.07 40.95
Raw materials 112657.53 1255761.11 21.75 21.35
Animal 6160.76 46515.32 1.19 0.79
Chemicals 11092.42 576655.36 2.14 9.8
Food Products 19034.66 177933.31 3.68 3.02
Footwear 11508.07 7219.91 2.22 0.12
Fuels 19839.79 169543.17 3.83 2.88
Hides and Skins 16337.14 13460.41 3.15 0.23
Mach and Elec 14989.3 576643.45 2.89 9.8
Metals 29906.56 386579.38 5.77 6.57
Minerals 15.48 89365.79 0 1.52
Miscellaneous 897.27 81627.88 0.17 1.39
Plastic or Rubber 17028.16 241402.06 3.29 4.1

6. 8
Stone and Glass 1825.83 27119.98 0.35 0.46
Textiles and Clothing 327114.96 1944590.24 63.16 33.06
Transportation 5836.63 524358.42 1.13 8.91
Vegetable 33490.13 980545.93 6.47 16.67
Wood 2813.56 38519.44 0.54 0.65
Bangladesh’s Export-Import with India in 2014
Product Group Export (US$
Thousand)
Import (US$
Thousand)
Export Product
Share (%)
Import Product Share (%)
All Products 517279.11 6255234.93 100 100
Capital goods 8009.83 989436.03 1.55 15.82
Consumer goods 237645.69 1090423.36 45.94 17.43
Intermediate goods 105667.66 2664380.58 20.43 42.59
Raw materials 165881.48 1510814.68 32.07 24.15
Animal 20993.38 118040.44 4.06 1.89
Chemicals 8328.22 547534.71 1.61 8.75
Food Products 15240.01 287342.17 2.95 4.59
Footwear 7270.49 5155.82 1.41 0.08
Fuels 4.57 181048.42 0 2.89
Hides and Skins 17335.27 14522.89 3.35 0.23
Mach and Elec 8486.23 488713.39 1.64 7.81
Metals 43594.65 381870.87 8.43 6.1
Minerals 23847.38 106070.31 4.61 1.7
Miscellaneous 1157.49 76848.42 0.22 1.23
Plastic or Rubber 15901.24 229934.99 3.07 3.68
Stone and Glass 1634.99 25257.54 0.32 0.4
Textiles and Clothing 268122.06 2085376.42 51.83 33.34
Transportation 6429.61 630317.25 1.24 10.08
Vegetable 77386.55 1036903.28 14.96 16.58
Wood 1546.97 40298.01 0.3 0.64
Bangladesh’s Export-Import with India in 2013
Product Group Export (US$
Thousand)
Import (US$
Thousand)
Export Product
Share (%)
Import Product Share (%)
All Products 383144.18 3918452.21 100 100
Capital goods 7354.12 681143.32 1.92 17.38
Consumer goods 195935.95 556022.9 51.14 14.19

7. 9
Intermediate goods 52394.87 1814433.6 13.68 46.3
Raw materials 127438.41 866826.05 33.26 22.12
Animal 6245.3 74116.66 1.63 1.89
Chemicals 6512.65 455745.62 1.7 11.63
Food Products 9032.28 87695 2.36 2.24
Footwear 3577.11 6263.27 0.93 0.16
Fuels 19056.06 13743.96 4.97 0.35
Hides and Skins 6789.4 7735.21 1.77 0.2
Mach and Elec 6585.42 379769.03 1.72 9.69
Metals 31104.41 293959.46 8.12 7.5
Minerals 3.41 30210.01 0 0.77
Miscellaneous 771.53 70201.91 0.2 1.79
Plastic or Rubber 3124.91 193419.58 0.82 4.94
Stone and Glass 645.17 21881.12 0.17 0.56
Textiles and Clothing 231234.25 1532487.06 60.35 39.11
Transportation 3921.73 366648.67 1.02 9.36
Vegetable 52891.15 343475.12 13.8 8.77
Wood 1649.39 41100.53 0.43 1.05
Here in the scenarios in each year in export-import Bangladesh always lag behind from India.
India’s export to Bangladesh is increasing every year where Bangladesh cannot increase its export
item as like as India. Gap in trade between two countries increased every year. Trade deficit of
Bangladesh is so much high.

8. 10
Bangladesh’s Export-Import with Pakistan in 2017
Product Group Export (US$
Thousand)
Import (US$
Thousand)
Export Product
Share (%)
Import Product
Share (%)
All Products 71890.52 646403.94 100 100
Capital goods 450.71 15429.07 0.63 2.39
Consumer goods 9199.36 33458.72 12.8 5.18
Intermediate goods 8249.17 584235.84 11.47 90.38
Raw materials 53974.35 13280.07 75.08 2.05
Chemicals 764.23 9152.03 1.06 1.42
Food Products 3747.66 1122.33 5.21 0.17
Footwear 47.77 41.44 0.07 0.01
Hides and Skins 77.36 23164.5 0.11 3.58
Mach and Elec 290.66 15643.23 0.4 2.42
Metals 118.4 1652.36 0.16 0.26
Miscellaneous 1551.55 5049.94 2.16 0.78
Plastic or Rubber 142.01 4988.34 0.2 0.77
Stone and Glass 0 239.78 0 0.04
Textiles and Clothing 56057.33 563066.15 77.98 87.11
Transportation 5675.06 2365.22 7.89 0.37
Vegetable 3213.68 17654.21 4.47 2.73
Wood 204.81 570.66 0.28 0.09
Bangladesh’s Export-Import with Pakistan in 2016
Product Group Export (US$
Thousand)
Import (US$
Thousand)
Export Product
Share (%)
Import Product
Share (%)
All Products 48598.02 656160.3 100 100
Capital goods 339.8 15330.92 0.7 2.34
Consumer goods 8110.21 19726.77 16.69 3.01
Intermediate goods 2616.59 607539.38 5.38 92.59
Raw materials 37494.96 13557.04 77.15 2.07
Animal 0.15 1118.8 0 0.17
Chemicals 939.03 10662.49 1.93 1.63
Food Products 3733.85 1277.59 7.68 0.19
Footwear 77.63 73.12 0.16 0.01
Hides and Skins 472.47 21306.75 0.97 3.25
Mach and Elec 256.85 16783.46 0.53 2.56
Metals 32.8 1971.25 0.07 0.3
Miscellaneous 896.54 2145.03 1.84 0.33
Plastic or Rubber 72.58 5842.96 0.15 0.89
Textiles and Clothing 40979.48 583505.06 84.32 88.93

9. 11
Transportation 24.72 2174.3 0.05 0.33
Vegetable 883.4 6436.51 1.82 0.98
Wood 228.49 803.17 0.47 0.12
Bangladesh’s Export-Import with Pakistan in 2015
Product Group Export (US$
Thousand)
Import (US$
Thousand)
Export Product
Share (%)
Import Product
Share (%)
All Products 47742.96 777573.21 100 100
Capital goods 574.96 79378.92 1.2 10.21
Consumer goods 6935.61 21846.56 14.53 2.81
Intermediate goods 3804.58 632856.01 7.97 81.39
Raw materials 36412.61 43484.12 76.27 5.59
Animal 0 2160.31 0.28
Chemicals 1529.94 10401.55 3.2 1.34
Food Products 2911.99 862.32 6.1 0.11
Footwear 307.74 114.3 0.64 0.01
Fuels 0 3629.16 0.47
Hides and Skins 277.22 14710.89 0.58 1.89
Mach and Elec 455.33 12905.36 0.95 1.66
Metals 449.63 1159.18 0.94 0.15
Minerals 0 609.77 0.08
Miscellaneous 1119.43 1938.69 2.34 0.25
Plastic or Rubber 176.66 7520.1 0.37 0.97
Stone and Glass 0 193.85 0.02
Textiles and Clothing 39045.41 639427.8 81.78 82.23
Transportation 0 66220.53 8.52
Vegetable 1074.36 15101.13 2.25 1.94
Wood 395.26 618.26 0.83 0.08

10. 12
Bangladesh’s Export-Import with Pakistan in 2014
Product Group Export (US$
Thousand)
Import (US$
Thousand)
Export Product
Share (%)
Import Product
Share (%)
All Products 60696.85 687640.88 100 100
Capital goods 172.11 14461.82 0.28 2.1
Consumer goods 9396.78 23290.84 15.48 3.39
Intermediate goods 6221.55 596342.48 10.25 86.72
Raw materials 44902.36 53544.68 73.98 7.79
Chemicals 873.33 8925.06 1.44 1.3
Food Products 3993.81 1499.91 6.58 0.22
Footwear 111.72 128.98 0.18 0.02
Hides and Skins 80.85 13913.05 0.13 2.02
Mach and Elec 133.84 17168.67 0.22 2.5
Metals 59.38 2642.37 0.1 0.38
Miscellaneous 1025.83 1853.26 1.69 0.27
Plastic or Rubber 514.37 9416.17 0.85 1.37
Stone and Glass 0.46 306.07 0 0.04
Textiles and Clothing 46266 608821.68 76.22 88.54
Transportation 3542.97 2459.04 5.84 0.36
Vegetable 3210.98 10186.06 5.29 1.48
Wood 883.3 553.8 1.46 0.08
All Products 60696.85 687640.88 100 100
Capital goods 172.11 14461.82 0.28 2.1
Consumer goods 9396.78 23290.84 15.48 3.39
Bangladesh’s Export-Import with Pakistan in 2013
Product Group Export (US$
Thousand)
Import (US$
Thousand)
Export Product
Share (%)
Import Product
Share (%)
All Products 58433.52 632507.78 100 100
Capital goods 1216.64 14869.27 2.08 2.35
Consumer goods 6583.97 22402.44 11.27 3.54
Intermediate goods 3551.3 552101.1 6.08 87.29
Raw materials 47078 43134.97 80.57 6.82
Animal 48.2 2421.19 0.08 0.38
Chemicals 743.4 8004.14 1.27 1.27
Food Products 2776.14 1169.9 4.75 0.19
Footwear 420.53 189.5 0.72 0.03
Fuels 0 2372.09 0.38
Hides and Skins 1018.43 9318.32 1.74 1.47

11. 13
Mach and Elec 241.01 10810.1 0.41 1.71
Metals 327.68 964.87 0.56 0.15
Minerals 0 831.3 0.13
Miscellaneous 1923.01 1543.46 3.29 0.24
Plastic or Rubber 405.94 21136.41 0.69 3.34
Stone and Glass 44.53 531.84 0.08 0.08
Textiles and Clothing 48739.09 559486.37 83.41 88.46
Transportation 59.13 3878.2 0.1 0.61
Vegetable 1386.89 9154.57 2.37 1.45
Wood 299.55 695.54 0.51 0.11
Trade between Bangladesh and Pakistan has some significance. Bangladesh Export is always
lower than the Import in these 5 years. Pakistan’s export scenario is better than Bangladesh. Here,
we see trade deficit in Bangladesh with Pakistan.

12. 14
Bangladesh’s Export-Import with Sri Lanka 2017
Product Group Export (US$
Thousand)
Import (US$
Thousand)
Export Product
Share (%)
Import Product
Share (%)
All Products 43575.54 125060.48 100 100
Capital goods 10406.18 8393.82 23.88 6.71
Consumer goods 21706.32 62322.08 49.81 49.83
Intermediate goods 7538.48 53201.78 17.3 42.54
Raw materials 3918.47 1132.96 8.99 0.91
Animal 0.13 670.43 0 0.54
Chemicals 18061.14 15961.39 41.45 12.76
Food Products 973.94 1191.86 2.24 0.95
Footwear 33.67 19.24 0.08 0.02
Hides and Skins 40.04 23.33 0.09 0.02
Mach and Elec 10400.39 4690.98 23.87 3.75
Metals 209.45 5547.63 0.48 4.44
Minerals 0.33 0 0 0
Miscellaneous 277.55 1065.48 0.64 0.85
Plastic or Rubber 1800.07 22349.9 4.13 17.87
Stone and Glass 1.26 41.02 0 0.03
Textiles and Clothing 6917.77 42471.92 15.88 33.96
Transportation 412.88 1205.81 0.95 0.96
Vegetable 2874.64 6130.33 6.6 4.9
Wood 1572.27 9313.93 3.61 7.45
Bangladesh’s Export-Import with Sri Lanka 2016
Product Group Export (US$
Thousand)
Import (US$
Thousand)
Export Product
Share (%)
Import Product
Share (%)
All Products 29351.16 118865.81 100 100
Capital goods 1184.77 16206.41 4.04 13.63
Consumer goods 20240.72 43228.14 68.96 36.37
Intermediate goods 7190.96 57930.13 24.5 48.74
Raw materials 734.71 1501.14 2.5 1.26
Animal 272.87 628.54 0.93 0.53
Chemicals 14726.04 15311.54 50.17 12.88
Food Products 1095.63 421.22 3.73 0.35
Footwear 358.48 188.66 1.22 0.16
Hides and Skins 4.99 6.12 0.02 0.01
Mach and Elec 1173 14427.84 4 12.14
Metals 1769.1 3304.82 6.03 2.78

13. 15
Minerals 0.18 0.12 0 0
Miscellaneous 545.92 1431.17 1.86 1.2
Plastic or Rubber 752.61 16419.72 2.56 13.81
Stone and Glass 2.05 32.7 0.01 0.03
Textiles and Clothing 6686.99 46718.5 22.78 39.3
Transportation 471.16 2478.8 1.61 2.09
Vegetable 1035.81 6643.2 3.53 5.59
Wood 456.32 5164.46 1.55 4.34
Bangladesh’s Export-Import with Sri Lanka 2015
Product Group Export (US$
Thousand)
Import (US$
Thousand)
Export Product
Share (%)
Import Product
Share (%)
All Products 25985.94 112572.79 100 100
Capital goods 2400.66 3972.9 9.24 3.53
Consumer goods 17204.68 28716.5 66.21 25.51
Intermediate goods 4348.47 64316.65 16.73 57.13
Raw materials 2030.14 15566.74 7.81 13.83
Animal 622.57 197.05 2.4 0.17
Chemicals 11317.87 11548.77 43.55 10.26
Food Products 48.69 377.69 0.19 0.34
Footwear 100.35 120.65 0.39 0.11
Fuels 893.27 4129.15 3.44 3.67
Hides and Skins 125.86 4.91 0.48 0
Mach and Elec 2400.27 4086.42 9.24 3.63
Metals 722.83 732.21 2.78 0.65
Minerals 0 18.25 0.02
Miscellaneous 119.55 2223.37 0.46 1.98
Plastic or Rubber 646.1 5984.31 2.49 5.32
Stone and Glass 6.47 133.16 0.02 0.12
Textiles and Clothing 6409.86 76178.16 24.67 67.67
Transportation 702.91 1207.17 2.71 1.07
Vegetable 1502.58 880.27 5.78 0.78
Wood 366.76 4751.26 1.41 4.22

14. 16
Bangladesh’s Export-Import with Sri Lanka 2014
Product Group Export (US$
Thousand)
Import (US$
Thousand)
Export Product
Share (%)
Import Product
Share (%)
All Products 26060.78 107960.03 100 100
Capital goods 3460.85 9807.07 13.28 9.08
Consumer goods 12631.81 29114.1 48.47 26.97
Intermediate goods 3266.86 63180.74 12.54 58.52
Raw materials 6701.28 5858.12 25.71 5.43
Animal 613.8 234.24 2.36 0.22
Chemicals 7807.3 10767.54 29.96 9.97
Food Products 406.05 281.97 1.56 0.26
Footwear 93.98 124.52 0.36 0.12
Hides and Skins 69.58 28.58 0.27 0.03
Mach and Elec 3438.3 9111.64 13.19 8.44
Metals 271.06 2233.69 1.04 2.07
Miscellaneous 52.17 2967.76 0.2 2.75
Plastic or Rubber 1310.5 9810.8 5.03 9.09
Stone and Glass 0 216.75 0 0.2
Textiles and Clothing 4803.28 56112.18 18.43 51.98
Transportation 324.73 2073.8 1.25 1.92
Vegetable 6065.48 5068.78 23.27 4.7
Wood 804.55 4738.67 3.09 4.39
All Products 26060.78 107960.03 100 100
Capital goods 3460.85 9807.07 13.28 9.08
Bangladesh’s Export-Import with Sri Lanka 2013
Product Group Export (US$
Thousand)
Import (US$
Thousand)
Export Product
Share (%)
Import Product
Share (%)
All Products 22746.81 96884.03 100 100
Capital goods 2620.08 8968.71 11.52 9.26
Consumer goods 12527.15 30758.01 55.07 31.75
Intermediate goods 5651.02 54167.41 24.84 55.91
Raw materials 1944.52 2989.92 8.55 3.09
Animal 270.61 79.55 1.19 0.08
Chemicals 6436.41 7117.19 28.3 7.35
Food Products 90.3 359.78 0.4 0.37
Footwear 111.31 100.81 0.49 0.1
Fuels 0 2747.45 2.84
Hides and Skins 1.55 33.41 0.01 0.03

15. 17
Mach and Elec 2618.59 7746.82 11.51 8
Metals 785.1 5362.25 3.45 5.53
Minerals 0 278.38 0.29
Miscellaneous 45.17 2450.87 0.2 2.53
Plastic or Rubber 869.94 2991.82 3.82 3.09
Stone and Glass 0.3 158.09 0 0.16
Textiles and Clothing 8611.54 60225.48 37.86 62.16
Transportation 389.59 2899.59 1.71 2.99
Vegetable 1708.16 2276.14 7.51 2.35
Wood 808.25 2056.4 3.55 2.12
In export-import scenario import ratio of Bangladesh is higher. Bangladesh import Intermediate
and consumer goods in large scale from Sri Lanka. But after 2014 export of consumer goods has
been changed. Consumer goods export from Bangladesh to Sri Lanka increased. Export import
ratio for consumer goods between two countries very little. Both countries depend on each other
for consumer goods. Here, we also found Trade deficit from Bangladesh’s perspective.

16. 18
Bangladesh’s Export-Import with Nepal 2017
Product Group Export (US$
Thousand)
Import (US$
Thousand)
Export Product
Share (%)
Import Product
Share (%)
All Products 38889.61 9776.08 100 100
Capital goods 3296.36 7.02 8.48 0.07
Consumer goods 21999.88 348.42 56.57 3.56
Intermediate goods 5375.63 8595.71 13.82 87.93
Raw materials 8217.73 824.93 21.13 8.44
Animal 21.22 0 0.05
Chemicals 3392.48 37.81 8.72 0.39
Food Products 18237.49 796.26 46.9 8.14
Footwear 86.7 0.05 0.22 0
Fuels 350.98 0 0.9
Hides and Skins 0.53 0.05 0 0
Mach and Elec 3092.42 0 7.95
Metals 37.28 0 0.1
Minerals 5.64 0 0.01
Miscellaneous 263 7.68 0.68 0.08
Plastic or Rubber 538.7 0 1.39
Stone and Glass 7.67 0 0.02
Textiles and Clothing 11211.16 251.98 28.83 2.58
Transportation 192.32 7.82 0.49 0.08
Vegetable 94.73 8673.41 0.24 88.72
Wood 1357.28 1.03 3.49 0.01
Bangladesh’s Export-Import with Nepal 2016
Product Group Export (US$
Thousand)
Import (US$
Thousand)
Export Product
Share (%)
Import Product
Share (%)
All Products 47173.32 12922 100 100
Capital goods 6764.53 0.57 14.34 0
Consumer goods 22230.33 204.02 47.12 1.58
Intermediate goods 1692.67 12387.11 3.59 95.86
Raw materials 16485.79 330.29 34.95 2.56
Animal 64.83 0 0.14
Chemicals 2770.91 32 5.87 0.25
Food Products 12682.49 445.66 26.88 3.45
Footwear 77.9 0 0.17
Fuels 365.36 0 0.77
Hides and Skins 2.19 220.96 0 1.71

17. 19
Mach and Elec 6888.55 0.3 14.6 0
Metals 94.68 0 0.2
Minerals 0.02 0 0
Miscellaneous 104.69 2.88 0.22 0.02
Plastic or Rubber 540.46 0 1.15
Stone and Glass 0.63 0 0
Textiles and Clothing 15535.41 4.87 32.93 0.04
Transportation 322.02 0 0.68
Vegetable 7343.24 12214.06 15.57 94.52
Wood 379.94 1.27 0.81 0.01
Bangladesh’s Export-Import with Nepal 2015
Product Group Export (US$
Thousand)
Import (US$
Thousand)
Export Product
Share (%)
Import Product
Share (%)
All Products 24799.95 6834.1 100 100
Capital goods 7061.12 0 28.47
Consumer goods 12034.14 113.04 48.52 1.65
Intermediate goods 1361.78 6572.41 5.49 96.17
Raw materials 4342.92 148.64 17.51 2.17
Animal 0.13 0 0
Chemicals 2204.48 4.59 8.89 0.07
Food Products 8688.8 167.82 35.04 2.46
Footwear 52.65 0 0.21
Fuels 296.25 0 1.19
Hides and Skins 0.37 0 0
Mach and Elec 7066.1 0 28.49
Metals 359.26 0 1.45
Miscellaneous 22.45 0 0.09
Plastic or Rubber 191.48 0 0.77
Stone and Glass 0.62 0 0
Textiles and Clothing 5476.46 33.94 22.08 0.5
Transportation 49.91 0 0.2
Vegetable 83.19 6625.39 0.34 96.95
Wood 307.78 2.35 1.24 0.03
All Products 24799.95 6834.1 100 100

18. 20
Bangladesh’s Export-Import with Nepal 2014
Product Group Export (US$
Thousand)
Import (US$
Thousand)
Export Product
Share (%)
Import Product
Share (%)
All Products 23954.66 18635.89 100 100
Capital goods 4919.82 293.89 20.54 1.58
Consumer goods 8079.49 182.44 33.73 0.98
Intermediate goods 1337.65 17973.34 5.58 96.44
Raw materials 9617.69 186.22 40.15 1
Animal 62.14 0 0.26
Chemicals 1756.27 93 7.33 0.5
Food Products 5348.72 294.64 22.33 1.58
Footwear 66.52 0 0.28
Fuels 265.73 0 1.11
Hides and Skins 5.25 100.47 0.02 0.54
Mach and Elec 4955.62 0 20.69
Metals 0.05 0 0
Miscellaneous 48.73 293.89 0.2 1.58
Plastic or Rubber 171.13 6.56 0.71 0.04
Stone and Glass 0.23 0 0
Textiles and Clothing 4564.59 29.82 19.06 0.16
Transportation 0.15 0 0
Vegetable 6606.67 17817.37 27.58 95.61
Wood 102.84 0.14 0.43 0
All Products 23954.66 18635.89 100 100
Bangladesh’s Export-Import with Nepal 2013
Product Group Export (US$
Thousand)
Import (US$
Thousand)
Export Product
Share (%)
Import Product
Share (%)
All Products 16060.22 17067.17 100 100
Capital goods 3279.19 0 20.42
Consumer goods 4809.19 165.4 29.94 0.97
Intermediate goods 2772.74 16172.81 17.26 94.76
Raw materials 4116.34 728.96 25.63 4.27
Animal 26.42 0 0.16
Chemicals 1420.43 62.15 8.84 0.36
Food Products 2826.73 748.66 17.6 4.39
Footwear 72.86 0 0.45
Fuels 409.86 0 2.55
Hides and Skins 11.77 0 0.07
Mach and Elec 3279.57 0 20.42

19. 21
Metals 37.04 0 0.23
Miscellaneous 1134.57 0 7.06
Plastic or Rubber 110.47 53.75 0.69 0.31
Stone and Glass 1.05 0 0.01
Textiles and Clothing 6651 118.12 41.41 0.69
Transportation 0.03 0 0
Vegetable 46.28 15944.8 0.29 93.42
Wood 32.14 139.69 0.2 0.82
All Products 16060.22 17067.17 100 100
.
Export-import scenario between Bangladesh and Nepal shows that Bangladesh holds the trade
surplus position. Bangladesh exports chemicals, food products, mechanical and electric products
to Nepal in high amount. On the other hand Bangladesh imports vegetables from Nepal in
significant amount

20. 22
Bangladesh’s Export-Import with Maldives 2016
Product Group Export (US$
Thousand)
Import (US$
Thousand)
Export Product
Share (%)
Import Product
Share (%)
All Products 3127.43 284.89 100 100
Capital goods 163.08 0 5.21
Consumer goods 2165.18 43.74 69.23 15.35
Intermediate goods 90.96 241.15 2.91 84.65
Raw materials 708.22 0 22.65
Animal 712.16 43.74 22.77 15.35
Chemicals 103.92 0 3.32
Food Products 1350.81 241.15 43.19 84.65
Footwear 13.71 0 0.44
Hides and Skins 2.07 0 0.07
Mach and Elec 121.06 0 3.87
Metals 8.29 0 0.27
Miscellaneous 39.27 0 1.26
Plastic or Rubber 20.99 0 0.67
Stone and Glass 0.17 0 0.01
Textiles and Clothing 220.35 0 7.05
Transportation 77.17 0 2.47
Vegetable 447.21 0 14.3
Wood 10.25 0 0.33
Bangladesh’s Export-Import with Maldives 2015
Product Group Export (US$
Thousand)
Import (US$
Thousand)
Export Product
Share (%)
Import Product
Share (%)
All Products 2407.84 115.98 100 100
Capital goods 258.2 0 10.72
Consumer goods 1538.76 0 63.91
Intermediate goods 86.71 115.98 3.6 100
Raw materials 524.19 0 21.77
Animal 521.37 0 21.65
Chemicals 152.73 0 6.34
Food Products 996.24 115.98 41.37 100
Footwear 6.85 0 0.28
Hides and Skins 1.08 0 0.04
Mach and Elec 17.45 0 0.72
Metals 0.93 0 0.04
Minerals 2.4 0 0.1
Miscellaneous 31.3 0 1.3

21. 23
Plastic or Rubber 9.46 0 0.39
Stone and Glass 0.59 0 0.02
Textiles and Clothing 150.02 0 6.23
Transportation 242.93 0 10.09
Vegetable 251.15 0 10.43
Wood 23.35 0 0.97
Bangladesh’s Export-Import with Maldives 2014
Product Group Export (US$
Thousand)
Import (US$
Thousand)
Export Product
Share (%)
Import Product
Share (%)
All Products 1819.54 0 100 0
Capital goods 66.27 0 3.64 0
Consumer goods 1218.24 0 66.95 0
Intermediate goods 152.73 0 8.39 0
Raw materials 382.29 0 21.01 0
Animal 357.11 0 19.63 0
Chemicals 50.8 0 2.79 0
Food Products 820.91 0 45.12 0
Footwear 8.58 0 0.47 0
Hides and Skins 1.99 0 0.11 0
Mach and Elec 69.68 0 3.83 0
Metals 157.55 0 8.66 0
Minerals 0.6 0 0.03 0
Miscellaneous 0.9 0 0.05 0
Plastic or Rubber 1.63 0 0.09 0
Stone and Glass 0.83 0 0.05 0
Textiles and Clothing 126.01 0 6.93 0
Transportation 0.09 0 0 0
Vegetable 186.89 0 10.27 0
Wood 35.97 0 1.98 0
Bangladesh’s Export-Import with Maldives 2013
Product Group Export (US$
Thousand)
Import (US$
Thousand)
Export Product
Share (%)
Import Product
Share (%)
All Products 1520.78 0 100 0
Capital goods 0.33 0 0.02 0
Consumer goods 1169.99 0 76.93 0
Intermediate goods 167.9 0 11.04 0

22. 24
Raw materials 182.57 0 12.01 0
Animal 314.78 0 20.7 0
Chemicals 96.16 0 6.32 0
Food Products 865.21 0 56.89 0
Footwear 3.17 0 0.21 0
Hides and Skins 0.9 0 0.06 0
Mach and Elec 0.39 0 0.03 0
Metals 1.45 0 0.1 0
Minerals 0.37 0 0.02 0
Miscellaneous 2.31 0 0.15 0
Plastic or Rubber 0.21 0 0.01 0
Stone and Glass 0 0 0 0
Textiles and Clothing 114.66 0 7.54 0
Vegetable 94.3 0 6.2 0
Wood 26.87 0 1.77 0
Bangladesh’s Export-Import with Maldives 2012
Product Group Export (US$
Thousand)
Import (US$
Thousand)
Export Product
Share (%)
Import Product
Share (%)
All Products 1353.33 0 100 0
Capital goods 0.27 0 0.02 0
Consumer goods 969.38 0 71.63 0
Intermediate goods 310.35 0 22.93 0
Raw materials 73.32 0 5.42 0
Animal 382.22 0 28.24 0
Chemicals 94.05 0 6.95 0
Food Products 736.81 0 54.44 0
Footwear 7.64 0 0.56 0
Hides and Skins 0.48 0 0.04 0
Metals 0 0 0 0
Minerals 2.26 0 0.17 0
Miscellaneous 0.78 0 0.06 0
Plastic or Rubber 1.32 0 0.1 0
Stone and Glass 0.18 0 0.01 0
Textiles and Clothing 91.39 0 6.75 0
Vegetable 34.68 0 2.56 0
Wood 1.52 0 0.11 0

23. 25
There was no import from Maldives towards Bangladesh till 2014. After 2014, Bangladesh starts
to import some intermediate and consumer goods from Maldives. In a contrary, Bangladesh
exports various products to Maldives. Bangladesh exports food items to Maldives in high amount
rather than any other goods. Bangladesh has trade surplus in this transaction.
Bangladesh’s Export-Import with Afghanistan 2016
Product Group Export (US$
Thousand)
Import (US$
Thousand)
Export Product
Share (%)
Import Product
Share (%)
All Products 2929.68 177.19 100 100
Capital goods 156.5 0 5.34
Consumer goods 31.84 133.44 1.09 75.31
Intermediate goods 1247.55 0 42.58
Raw materials 6.2 43.75 0.21 24.69
Chemicals 1225.67 0 41.84
Food Products 22.62 0 0.77
Metals 0.69 0 0.02
Miscellaneous 156.5 0 5.34
Vegetable 6.2 133.44 0.21 75.31
Wood 30.41 0 1.04

24. 26
Bangladesh’s Export-Import with Afghanistan 2015
Product Group Export (US$
Thousand)
Import (US$
Thousand)
Export Product
Share (%)
Import Product
Share (%)
All Products 3235.22 618.7 100 100
Consumer goods 281.9 618.7 8.71 100
Intermediate goods 1228.79 0 37.98
Chemicals 1222.57 0 37.79
Food Products 264.01 0 8.16
Footwear 4.97 0 0.15
Metals 6 0 0.19
Wood 13.13 0 0.41
Bangladesh’s Export-Import with Afghanistan 2013
Product Group Export (US$
Thousand)
Import (US$
Thousand)
Export Product
Share (%)
Import Product
Share (%)
All Products 3475.73 667.42 100 100
Consumer goods 3274.13 484 94.2 72.52
Intermediate goods 98.2 0.52 2.83 0.08
Raw materials 0 182.91 27.41
Fuels 0 459.34 68.82
Mach and Elec 89.98 24.47 2.59 3.67
Textiles and Clothing 86.22 0.7 2.48 0.1
Vegetable 0 182.91 27.41
Bangladesh’s Export-Import with Afghanistan 2012
Product Group Export (US$
Thousand)
Import (US$
Thousand)
Export Product
Share (%)
Import Product
Share (%)
All Products 3998.34 55.36 100 100
Raw materials 0 55.36 100
Vegetable 0 55.36 100

25. 27
Bangladesh’s Export-Import with Afghanistan 2011
Product Group Export (US$
Thousand)
Import (US$
Thousand)
Export Product
Share (%)
Import Product
Share (%)
All Products 3612.69 1834.47 100 100
Capital goods 0 0.1 0.01
Consumer goods 3602.16 1560.28 99.71 85.05
Raw materials 0 274.1 14.94
Mach and Elec 0 0.1 0.01
Miscellaneous 0 5.21 0.28
Vegetable 3.67 1829.17 0.1 99.71
Export-Import relation between Bangladesh and Afghanistan is not significant. As a war-torn
country Afghanistan does not reach that level to perform export-import with other countries.
Though Bangladesh export consumer and intermediate goods to Afganistan in a little scale. Trae
surplus is measured from Bangladesh perspective.

26. 28
Bangladesh’s Export-Import with Bhutan 2015
Product Group Export (US$
Thousand)
Import (US$
Thousand)
Export Product
Share (%)
Import Product
Share (%)
All Products 2441.97 39968.87 100 100
Capital goods 0 0.51 0
Consumer goods 2242.7 12293.67 91.84 30.76
Intermediate goods 199.27 1053.08 8.16 2.63
Raw materials 0 26621.6 66.61
Chemicals 222.02 394.85 9.09 0.99
Food Products 1021.32 376.49 41.82 0.94
Fuels 0 75.97 0.19
Mach and Elec 15.14 0.51 0.62 0
Metals 174.41 179.3 7.14 0.45
Minerals 0 12431.95 31.1
Plastic or Rubber 340.05 60.36 13.93 0.15
Textiles and Clothing 648.77 727.76 26.57 1.82
Vegetable 0 25313.48 63.33
Wood 0 408.21 1.02
Bangladesh’s Export-Import with Bhutan 2012
Product Group Export (US$
Thousand)
Import (US$
Thousand)
Export Product
Share (%)
Import Product Share
(%)
All Products 5.75 0.06 100 100
Consumer goods 5.75 0.06 100 100
Wood 0 0.06 100
Bangladesh’s Export-Import with Bhutan 2010
Product Group Export (US$
Thousand)
Import (US$
Thousand)
Export Product
Share (%)
Import Product Share
(%)
All Products 1.2 1.09 100 100
Consumer goods 1.2 1.09 100 99.91
Food Products 0 0.76 69.81
Wood 0 0.33 30.19
Bangladesh’s Export-Import with Bhutan 2009
Product Group Export (US$
Thousand)
Import (US$
Thousand)
Export Product
Share (%)
Import Product Share
(%)
All Products 5.79 0.47 100 100
Consumer goods 2.01 0.47 34.78 100

27. 29
Food Products 0 0.47 100
Bangladesh’s Export-Import with Bhutan 2008
Product Group Export (US$
Thousand)
Import (US$
Thousand)
Export Product
Share (%)
Import Product
Share (%)
All Products 0 19.34 100
Capital goods 0 10.59 54.79
Consumer goods 0 6.92 35.78
Raw materials 0 1.82 9.43
Food Products 0 0.76 3.93
Mach and Elec 0 10.59 54.79
Textiles and Clothing 0 6.16 31.86
Vegetable 0 1.82 9.43
We have very little information about trade between Bangladesh and Bhutan. In the graph, we see
Bangladesh import a lot of various goods from Bhutan in 2015. In the year 2015 Bangladesh
imported minerals and vegetables from Bhutan in significant amount. And Bangladesh exported
food items to Bhutan. On the previous years there were nearly zero amount of exports to Bhutan.

28. 30
Bangladesh’s Product wise Export-Import with South Asian Countries
Here we have showed how the product wise export import occurred, which product is large in
number in case of export & which one in case of import. As the export-import between Bangladesh
& India is greater than rest of the other nations in South Asia, we showed 5-years product wise
export import in case of India. There are some limitations for us here. Basically it is too tough to
match each and every product as well as matching rows-columns in Excel to calculate 5-years
product wise export import. Except India we have showed the product wise scenario for other 7
countries for last year only.
Bangladesh’s Product wise Export with India (2013-2017)
0
200000
400000
600000
800000
1000000
1200000
1400000
1600000
1800000
Total Export (US$ Thousand)

29. 31
Bangladesh’s Product wise Import with India (2013-2017)
0
1000000
2000000
3000000
4000000
5000000
6000000
7000000
8000000
9000000
10000000
Total Import(US$ Thousand)

30. 32
Bangladesh’s Product wise Export with Pakistan 2017
Bangladesh’s Product wise Import with Pakistan 2017
0
10000
20000
30000
40000
50000
60000
Export (US$ Thousand)
0
100000
200000
300000
400000
500000
600000
Import (US$ Thousand)

31. 33
Bangladesh’s Product wise Export with Sri Lanka 2017
Bangladesh’s Product wise Import with Sri Lanka 2017
0
2000
4000
6000
8000
10000
12000
14000
16000
18000
20000
Export (US$ Thousand)
0
5000
10000
15000
20000
25000
30000
35000
40000
45000
Import (US$ Thousand)

32. 34
Bangladesh’s Product wise Export with Nepal 2017
Bangladesh’s Product wise Import with Nepal 2017
0
2000
4000
6000
8000
10000
12000
14000
16000
18000
20000
Export (US$ Thousand)
0
1000
2000
3000
4000
5000
6000
7000
8000
9000
Import (US$ Thousand)

33. 35
Bangladesh’s Product wise Export with Maldives 2016
Bangladesh’s Product wise Import with Maldives 2016
0
200
400
600
800
1000
1200
1400
Export (US$ Thousand)
0
50
100
150
200
250
Import (US$ Thousand)

34. 36
Bangladesh’s Product wise Export with Afghanistan 2016
Bangladesh’s Product wise Import with Afghanistan 2016
0
200
400
600
800
1000
1200
1400
Chemicals Food Products Metals Miscellaneous Vegetable Wood
Export (US$ Thousand)
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
Chemicals Food Products Metals Miscellaneous Vegetable Wood
Import (US$ Thousand)

35. 37
Bangladesh’s Product wise Export with Bhutan 2015
Bangladesh’s Product wise Import with Bhutan 2015
0
200
400
600
800
1000
1200
Export (US$ Thousand)
0
5000
10000
15000
20000
25000
30000
Import (US$ Thousand)

36. 38
Total Export scenario with south Asian countries
(2013-2017)
*Maldives, Afghanistan, Bhutan (Some data are unavailable, so old data are used for these
countries)
India Pakistan Sri
Lanka
Nepal Maldives Afghanistan Bhutan
2017 7210099.52 71890.52 43575.54 38889.61
2016 677098.05 48598.02 29351.16 47173.32 3127.43 2929.68
2015 517890.71 47742.96 25985.94 24799.95 2407.84 3235.22 2441.97
2014 517279.11 60696.85 26060.78 23954.66 1819.54 5.75
2013 383144.18 58433.52 22746.81 16060.22 150.78 3475.73
2012 1353.33 3998.34
2011 3612.69
2010 1.2
2009 5.79
2008 0
Total 9305511.57 287361.87 147720.23 150877.8 8858.92 17251.66 2454.71

37. 39
Total Import scenario with south Asian countries
(2013-2017)
*Maldives, Afghanistan, Bhutan (Some data are unavailable, so old data are used for these
countries)
India Pakistan Sri
Lanka
Nepal Maldives Afghanistan Bhutan
2017 7210099.52 646403.94 125060.48 9776.08
2016 5668792.84 656160.3 118865.81 12922 284.89 177.19
2015 5882080.04 777573.21 112572.79 6834.1 115.98 618.7 39968.87
2014 6255234.93 687640.88 107960.03 18635.89 0 0.06
2013 3918452.21 632507.78 96884.03 17067.17 0 667.42
2012 0 55.36
2011 1834.47
2010 1.09
2009 0.47
2008 19.34
Total
28934659.54 3400286.11 561343.14 65235.24 400.87 3353.14
39989.83

38. 40
Findings
 Bangladesh has huge trade gap with India & Pakistan
 Bangladesh’s Export product base is low. It’s mainly dependent on Clothing & Textiles.
 Bangladesh’s Trade volume is not that much high with Bhutan, Nepal, Maldives &
Afghanistan. So there is more opportunity to increase trade with these regional countries.
 Bangladesh export vegetable to almost all south Asian countries. Though the volume is not
that high. As an agriculture friendly country Bangladesh has huge opportunity in this
sector.
Data source
1. https://wits.worldbank.org
2. https://www.wikipedia.org