For the first time in over a decade, the Bhutan Chamber of Commerce and Industry, BCCI is hosting a Trade Fair in Wangdue Phodrang. The Wangdue Trade Fair 2025, themed “Gateway to Growth: Connecting Bhutan to the Global Market”, aims to foster trade linkages and build partnerships among traders. Around 80 businesses are taking part in the fair, which began yesterday.
Of the 80 exhibitors, 54 are from India and Nepal.
The fair, held above Bajo Town, offers a wide range of products, from religious items and jewellery to books, bags, and food.
BCCI says the fair is not only about boosting sales and encouraging competition, but also about creating opportunities for long-term business partnerships.
“We believe this platform is ideal for our members to engage with international exhibitors. These interactions can lead to wholesale or direct purchase deals, sample sharing, and even discussions on export opportunities. We see real potential for meaningful business tie-ups in the future,” said Chandra Bahadur Chhetri, the Secretary General of BCCI.
However, some local participants say building strong supply networks and business relationships with traders from India and Nepal is challenging.
“While the government aims to foster business relationships between Bhutanese entrepreneurs and international dealers, I’m not sure how things will develop. Right now, we do our business separately. We get to know each other, but I don’t see much progress in forming strong partnerships,” said Chenga Tshering, a participant.
“We offer many indigenous products like Kishuthara from Kurtoe Khoma, Yathra from Bumthang, Dapa from Trashi Yangtse, and Bangchung from Kheng, along with herbal and organic goods. If the government and NGOs support young entrepreneurs like us to exhibit abroad, places like Bangkok, Taiwan, or Hong Kong, it would open doors to global markets and promote Bhutan’s identity,” said Chhodhen La, another participant.
BCCI says it plans to support local entrepreneurs in participating in international trade fairs and exhibitions in the future.
The four-day trade fair will conclude on Monday.
Changa Dorji, Wangdue Phodrang
Edited by Sangay Chezom
