Thursday, March 12, 2009

Bhutan Gateway Exports Down

Import through the gateway to Bhutan, Phuentsholing, from third countries decreased in the year 2008, while imports from India increased, according to data collected from the regional revenue and customs office in Phuentsholing.

Import value from other countries decreased by Nu 100 million, from Nu 600 million in 2007 to Nu 500 million in 2008. But the import value from India increased to over Nu 1,400 million last year from over Nu 1,200 million in 2007.

The data does not include figures from business transactions through other entry gates into the country.

Business people in the bordering town attribute the appreciating dollar value against the ngultrum for the decreased imports.

The top five commodities imported in 2007 were diesel with import value of Nu 1,009 million, followed by motor spirit at Nu 415 million. Rice and iron scrap followed with Nu 300 million each, followed by cars with an import value of Nu 272 million.

Diesel still topped the list in 2008 with imports worth Nu 1,067 million, then rice at Nu 763 million, ferro products at Nu 671 million, manganese ore and cars at over Nu 500 million.

Bhutan’s exports through Phuentsholing also saw a drop with goods worth Nu 7,933 million in 2008 compared to Nu 10,842 in 2007. The top five exporters in the year 2007 and 2008 were Bhutan Metals followed by Bhutan Carbide and Chemicals, Bhutan Ferro Alloys, Singye Vanaspati and Rangshar Industries.

Source: Kuensel Online, Bhutan

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