Bangladesh and Thailand signed trade agreement on 22 August 1997, MOU on account trade arrangement and formed joint chambers of commerce to promote bilateral trade between the two friendly countries. The private sectors of the two countries are working together to materialize complementarities between the two economies. These complementarities are likely to be symbiotic, combining Bangladesh’s thirst for investment and Thailand’s keenness
to expand its markets. The momentum is most strongly felt in the private sectors of the two countries.
Trade volume between Bangladesh and Thailand has steadily increased. The following table and a line graph show the pattern of bilateral trade between Bangladesh and Thailand between 2000 and 2012:
| Year | Thai Export to Bangladesh (Million US$) |
Thai Import from Bangladesh (Million US$) |
Total Trade (Million US$) |
Trade Balance (Million US$) |
| 2000 | 222.59 | 42.39 | 264.98 | (180.2) |
| 2001 | 232.10 | 28.59 | 260.69 | (203.51) |
| 2002 | 229.35 | 24.57 | 253.92 | (204.78) |
| 2003 | 271.94 | 29.70 | 301.64 | (242.24) |
| 2004 | 374.45 | 13.47 | 387.92 | (360.98) |
| 2005 | 395.42 | 28.72 | 424.14 | (366.7) |
| 2006 | 466.63 | 35.26 | 501.89 | (431.37) |
| 2007 | 510.44 | 14.22 | 524.66 | (496.22) |
| 2008 | 574.39 | 22.08 | 596.47 | (552.31) |
| 2009 | 621.59 | 32.57 | 654.16 | (589.02) |
| 2010 | 885.63 | 24.35 | 909.98 | (861.28) |
| 2011 | 1,215.51 | 42.23 | 1257.74 | (1173.28) |
| 2012 | 764.47 | 86.89 | 851.36 | (677.58) |
Data source: Bank of Thailand
Export from Bangladesh
Some major export items from Bangladesh to Thailand include other made textile articles, vegetable textile fibers, articles of apparel, products of animal origin, electrical & electronic equipment, fish and crustaceans, etc.
Import from Thailand
Some major import items from Thailand to Bangladesh include cement, cereals, plastics and articles thereof, man-made staple fibers, sugar and sugar confectionary, machinery and mechanical appliances, cotton and cotton fabrics, etc.
Export prospects
Pharmaceuticals and chemicals, chemical products, leather and leather products, frozen fish, raw jute and jute goods, ceramic tableware, knitwear and woven garments, tea etc. have good prospects in Thai market.
