Samten Wangchuk | Intern

Bhutanese importers interacted with tea and coffee exporters from India to learn about production and export of these items during a virtual meeting today.

The meeting was aimed at expanding India’s exports of tea and coffee to Bhutan.

Ambassador of India to Bhutan, Ruchira Kamboj, said, “Through this meeting and greater interactions, the Indian exporters will be able to penetrate the Bhutanese market better for mutual benefit of both sides.”

Bhutan Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Tandin Wangchuk said that there is a huge scope in promoting bilateral trade between the two countries, and creating a long-term business chain.

“This meeting, therefore, is to provide better insights to promote the business and commercial activities in two countries, mainly when collaborating with one of the largest producers and exporters of tea and coffee in the world,” he said.

The tea importers and the exporters exchanged questions and ideas to promote business and markets in both of the countries, in which exporters highlighted willingness to support importers in processing and packaging as well.

According to the Indian Embassy press release, in the past two years, Bhutan imports increased by almost 50 percent from 379 metric tonnes in 2019 worth Nu 77 million to 554MT in 2020 worth Nu 131 million.

Edited by Tshering Palden