Two new products with the tag ‘Made in Bhutan’ will soon hit the market. Druk Peci and Bhutan Green Product were launched yesterday at the first Made in Bhutan exhibition.
Pencils made from newspaper waste, Druk Peci, is expected to substitute pencil imports from India. It will be in the market by March this year. Druk Peci is working on producing colour pencils and art files as well.
“My machine can produce around 20,000 pencils in a day and we are expecting to supply at least 60 percent of our products in schools, 20 per cent in institutions like Zorig Chusum and other 20 per cent in hotels and resorts,” said Sonam Tshering, the Druk Peci Founder.
Bhutan Green Product produces ginger essential oil, ginger powder and dehydrated ginger and these products are targeting the international markets.
“Coming to dehydrated ginger and ginger powder, 20% of the product may be marketed in the domestic market but 80% will definitely go to the International market. Coming to essential oil, don’t see much market in Bhutan. So we are focusing on the international market especially in third countries like UK and USA. We have already received huge demand from International Market,” said Ugyen Dorji, the Advisor for Bhutan Green product.
Due to only a few commercial ginger growers in the country, the company has difficulty getting gingers for now.
Moreover, without proper marketing outlet and exposure, the products from Bhutan are still not popular in Bhutanese market.
“Most of our starts up here at some point gets stagnant. That is where we want to come in and give support in terms of finding the market not only in the country but outside the country as well. For us to do that, first of all promote the products within our country. Once that product gain popularity in our own country, then only we will be able to promote outside,” said Sangay Dorji, the Secretary-General of Bhutan Chamber for Commerce and Industry (BCCI).
Bhutan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) is organising the exhibition at the Multi-Level Car Parking near Zangdopelri Complex in Thimphu. 40 Cottage and Small Industries from across the country has displayed varieties of products such as honey, herbal teas, essential oils and handicraft items. the Exhibition will remain open till 21st February.
Sangay Chezom
