Comoros: Trade Profile

Foreign Trade in Figures

The country is open to foreign trade, which represents almost 50% of the GDP. The government encourages privatization and wants to diversify exports and trade. Nevertheless, to continue receiving foreign aid is equally important. Regarding trade agreements and the insertion of the country into the international trade, Comoros is a member of the Indian Ocean Commission (IOC) and COMESA, which gathers 19 countries of Eastern and Southern Africa. Comoros joined in May of 2006 the Free Trade Area (FTA) of COMESA.

The Comoran government has completely reformed the customs duties system in 1996 by establishing a more simple system. There are only two types of taxes instead of five. The average rate is 20% instead of what it used to be 45%. However, the poor quality of its infrastructures (mainly its roads and transportation) and the low level of education are the main barriers that affect the development of trade.

In these recent years, the volume of trade is clearly progressing. Comoros imports much more than what it exports, due to an increase in rice and oil imports and a rise in the price of oil, which has created an incontestable trade deficit, a trend which should continue in the coming years.

The main trade partners of Comoros are Turkey, the European Union and the Gulf Cooperation Council.

Foreign Trade Indicators	2006	2007	2008	2009	2010
Imports of Goods (million USD)	115	138	175	170	190
Exports of Goods (million USD)	10	14	9	16	18
Imports of Services (million USD)	54	63	79	73	-
Exports of Services (million USD)	43	50	59	53	-
Foreign Trade (in % of GDP)	53	56	62	63	-
Imports of Goods and Services (in % of GDP)	39	41	48	48	-
Exports of Goods and Services (in % of GDP)	14	15	14	15	-

Source: WTO - World Trade Organization ; World Bank - Last Available Data.

Main Partner Countries

Main Customers (% of Exports)	2007
France	11.9%
Germany	3.9%
Singapore	1.3%
India	1.2%
United Arab Emirates	0.6%
Yemen	0.3%
Netherlands	0.3%
Sudan	0.2%
Mauritius	0.1%
Egypt	0.1%
See More Countries	81.0%

Source: Comtrade, Last Available Data

Main Products

Main Exports (% of Exports)	2007
Commodities not specified according to kindCommodities not specified according to kind	79.9%
Cloves (whole fruit, cloves and stems)Cloves (whole fruit, cloves and stems)	7.2%
Vanilla beansVanilla beans	6.6%
Essential oils, resinoids and terpenic by-productsEssential oils, resinoids and terpenic by-products	6.3%

Source: Comtrade, Last Available Data

To go further, check out our service Import export flows

Commercial Policy

Main International Economic Cooperation: Member of Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA)

Member of African Union (AU)

Member of Arab League
Assessment of Commercial Policy: Country’s commercial policy
Average Customs Duty (Excluding Agricultural Products): 20%

List of tariffs and local taxes that apply to your product on our service Customs duties and local taxes

Useful Resources: Comoro customs
National Organization of Intellectual Property: You can contact the Ministry of Energy, Mines, Industry and Handicrafts by Email.

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