Brunei - Handelsbalance

The trade surplus in Brunei narrowed 31.3 percent to BND 251.8 million in July 2019 from BND 366.7 in the same month the prior year. Exports plunged 20.2 percent year-on-year to BND 670.8 million, with sales of mineral fuels tumbling 20.9 percent, namely crude oil (-26.2 percent) and LNG (-16.5 percent). Japan was the largest export partner, followed by Malaysia, India and Singapore. Meanwhile, imports declined at a slower 11.7 percent to BND 419 million, mostly led by machinery and transport equipment (-9.6 percent) and manufactured goods (-57 percent). Main import partners were Singapore, Malaysia, and China. Considering January to July, the trade surplus came in at BND 2.07 billion, almost unchanged from the same period of 2018, as exports grew 5.7 percent and imports rose at a faster 9.7 percent.

The trade surplus in Brunei narrowed to BND 39.0 million in June 2019 from BND 155.1 in the same month the prior year. This was the smallest trade surplus since July 2015, as imports rose 9.8 percent, mostly led by mineral fuels (919.4 percent) and chemicals (75.6 percent). Main import partners were Kazakhstan, Iraq, Singapore, Malaysia, and China. Meanwhile, exports dropped 9 percent, as sales of mineral fuels fell 15.5 percent, namely crude oil (-7.9 percent) and LNG (-22.5 percent). Japan was the largest export partner, followed by Singapore, Australia, Thailand and the Philippines. Considering January to June, the trade surplus widened to BND 1.82 billion from BND 1.70 billion in the same period of 2018, as exports grew 11 percent and imports rose at a faster 13.8 percent.

The trade surplus in Brunei narrowed 39.5% yoy to BND 145.5 million in May 2019 from BND 240.6 million in the same month the previous year. This was the smallest trade surplus since September 2018, as imports rose while exports fell. Purchases soared 18.9% year-on-year to BND 572.6 million in May, mostly led by mineral fuels (769.8%) and chemicals (84.2%). Main imports partners were Equatorial Guinea (19.2% of total share), China (14.5%), Singapore (12.6%) and Malaysia (12.4%). Meanwhile, exports dropped 0.6% to BND 718.1 million, as sales of mineral fuels fell 4.2%, namely LNG (-13.3%). Japan was the largest trading partners for exports (27.8% share), followed by India (17.2%), South Korea (10.9%) and Singapore (9%). Considering January to May 2019, exports grew 15% to BND 4 billion, while imports rose 14.9% to BND 2.22 billion, bringing the trade surplus of BND 1.78 billion, which was higher than a surplus of BND 1.54 billion in the same period 2018.

The trade surplus in Brunei increased to BND 327.0 million in April 2019 from BND 190.5 million in the same month of the previous year. Exports jumped 24% from a year earlier to BND 748.5 million, mainly led by higher sales of mineral fuels (26.2%), namely crude oil (8.8%) and LNG (41.8%). Among major trading partners, shipments advanced to Japan (37.9%), Thailand (233%) and Australia (46.3%). Meantime, imports went up 2% to BND 421.5 million driven by higher purchases of machinery & transport equipment (9.6%); miscellaneous manufactured articles (35.3%); and mineral fuels (4.8%). Purchases went up mainly from Japan (381%), Malaysia (2.2%) and Singapore (5.5%). Considering January to April period, the trade surplus widened to BND 1.63 billion from BND 1.30 billion in the same period of 2018, as exports went up 19.1% year-on-year to BND 3.28 billion while imports rose at a softer 13.6% to BND 1.65 billion.

Brunei trade surplus widened 29.1% yoy to BND 470.2 million in March 2019, the largest since November 2017, from BND 364.1 million in the same month of the previous year. Exports increased 16.7% yoy to BND 880.2 million, mainly led by mineral fuels (17.9%), namely crude oil (25%) and LNG (11.6%). Main export partners were: Japan (36.1% of total exports), South Korea (12.4%), Malaysia (10.8%), and Singapore (9.8%). Meanwhile, imports rose at a softer 5% to BND 410.0 million, driven by machinery & transport equipment (9.6%); chemicals (47.8%); and mineral fuels (14.9%). The most important import partners were: China (18.8% of total imports), Malaysia (17.6%), Singapore (16.3%), the UK (8%), and the US (7.4%). Considering January to March 2019, exports grew 17.7% yoy to BND 2.53 billion, while imports rose at a faster 18.2% to BND 1.23 billion, bringing the trade surplus of BND 1.30 billion, which was higher than a surplus of BND 1.11 billion in the same period 2018.

Brunei trade surplus widened 11.9 percent year-on-year to BND 364.9 million in February 2019 from BND 326.2 million in the same month of the previous year. Exports increased 8.1 percent to BNB 701.9 million, mainly led by mineral fuels (10.6 percent), namely crude oil (4.5 percent) and liquefied natural gas (14.9 percent). Main export partners were: Japan (51.2 percent of total exports), Australia (15.3 percent), Malaysia (8.6 percent), India (8.1 percent) and Vietnam (8 percent). Meanwhile, imports rose at a softer 4.3 percent to BND 337.0 million, driven by machinery & transport equipment (31.7 percent); chemicals (49 percent); miscellaneous manufactured articles (28.8 percent); and mineral fuels (77.3 percent). The most important import partners were: China (30.4 percent of total imports), Malaysia (16.7 percent), Singapore (16.1 percent), the US (7.3 percent) and Japan (4.9 percent).