30/09/2026
๐๐ง๐ฏ๐๐ฌ๐ญ ๐๐ก๐ฎ๐ญ๐๐ง ๐๐จ๐๐๐ฌ๐ก๐จ๐ฐ ๐ข๐ง ๐๐จ๐ค๐ฒ๐จ, ๐๐๐ฉ๐๐ง, 28 ๐๐๐ฉ๐ญ๐๐ฆ๐๐๐ซ 2026
As Bhutan and Japan celebrate the 40th anniversary of diplomatic relations, the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Employment (MoICE) successfully concluded the Invest Bhutan Roadshow in Tokyo on 28 September 2026, marking an important step towards expanding the longstanding friendship between the two countries into a stronger partnership in investment, trade and business.
The Roadshow was organized by the Department of Industry, MoICE, in collaboration with the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO), the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), and the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), with support from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan. It brought together representatives from more than 50 Japanese companies, government agencies and business organizations, providing a valuable platform to introduce Bhutanโs emerging investment opportunities and deepen business connections between the two countries.
Led by Lyonpo Namgyal Dorji, Honโble Minister for Industry, Commerce and Employment, the Bhutanese delegation presented Bhutanโs ambitious economic transformation agenda and invited Japanese businesses to become long term partners in this new phase of the countryโs development. The delegation emphasized the strong complementarities between Bhutanโs development priorities and Japanโs strengths in technology, innovation, quality, sustainability, skills and responsible enterprise.
The discussions highlighted the significant reforms Bhutan is undertaking to make investment and business easier, more predictable and more competitive. Participants were introduced to opportunities across priority sectors including renewable energy, information technology and IT enabled services, sustainable tourism, manufacturing and other strategic industries, as well as emerging opportunities associated with the Gelephu Mindfulness City (GMC), which is generating growing interest in Japan.
The Bhutanese delegation also invited Japanese businesses to participate in the Invest Bhutan Summit, to be held in Thimphu from 11 to 12 February 2027, as an opportunity to engage directly with Bhutanese businesses, policymakers and investment opportunities.
JICA presented support available through its KAIZEN programme and JICA Biz Proof of Concept (PoC) financing, encouraging Japanese companies to use these initiatives to test ideas, establish partnerships and explore commercially viable opportunities in Bhutan.
On the sidelines of the Roadshow, the Bhutanese delegation held a series of bilateral meetings with Japanese government agencies, business organizations and private companies. The discussions focused on Bhutanโs evolving investment landscape, areas of mutual interest and practical avenues for future collaboration. These engagements strengthened institutional and business relationships and created a foundation for continued follow up between Bhutanese and Japanese partners.
This visit builds on the growing investment momentum between Bhutan and Japan, with some Japanese companies having already visited Bhutan, secured FDI registration and advanced their investment plans in recent months. The strong interest and engagement in Tokyo, including new proposals from prospective investors, further demonstrate the value of such outreach in increasing Bhutanโs visibility and generating greater interest among Japanese businesses.
As the two countries celebrate 40 years of diplomatic relations, we look forward to building on this momentum and translating the enduring friendship between Bhutan and Japan into meaningful investments, successful businesses and long term economic partnerships.
