DAWA ZANGMO | Thimphu
The Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Employment (MoICE) achieved 192 of its 193 key performance indicators (KPIs) during the financial year 2025-2026, recording an overall achievement rate of 99.5 percent, according to the ministry’s annual report.
The report states that the 193 KPIs were implemented across six departments, four agencies and six Regional Offices of Industry, Commerce and Employment (RoICEs). Of the total, 192 KPIs were achieved, while one KPI remained unachieved. The gap was reported under intellectual property service revenue.
The four agencies achieved all 20 of their KPIs, while the six RoICEs achieved all 106 KPIs. The six departments achieved 66 of their 67 KPIs. The ministry reported an overall achievement rate of 99 percent in its executive summary, while the conclusion records the overall rate at 99.5 percent.
The ministry’s annual work plan for the financial year included establishing 2,000 new industries, engaging 3,250 youth in employment programmes, facilitating 2,500 overseas jobs and 5,500 domestic jobs, achieving 250,000 tourist arrivals and attracting Nu 10 billion in foreign direct investment.
It also targeted the export of creative industry products and services worth USD 500,000, resumption of Bhutan’s World Trade Organization accession process, preliminary assessment and site identification for an Export Processing Zone, and amendments to several laws, including the Consumer Protection, Bankruptcy, Labour and Employment, Copyright and Industrial Property Acts.
The Department of Industry established 5,285 industries and cottage and small industries (CSIs), against a target of 2,000, and upscaled 33 industries against a target of 30. Foreign direct investment approvals excluding hydropower amounted to Nu 4.23 billion, exceeding the target of Nu 3.5 billion. Two hydropower projects worth Nu 162.531 billion were also approved.
The department reported that industrial estate and park maintenance was completed as targeted for Damdum, Pasakha, Bjemina and Phuntsho Rabtenling. Pasakha water supply and landfill works were completed, while the feasibility report for the new industrial park was also completed.
The Department of Tourism recorded 258,232 tourist arrivals against its target of 223,420 and generated Nu 4.82 billion in direct revenue against a target of Nu 3.2 billion. It also reported that nine tourism amenities and infrastructure works were completed against a target of five, while four regulatory reforms were introduced against a target of three.
The department reported that 2,458 jobs were created against a target of 2,000. Tourism services, including Sustainable Development Fee waiver recommendations, licensing and hotel assessments, were delivered within three days.
The Department of Trade certified 61 Brand Bhutan products against a target of 22 and conducted 29 trade fairs and National Trade Facilitation Committee activities against a target of 16. It issued 7,354 import licences within the stated turnaround time of one to two working days.
The department reported that the Passakha and Nganglam dry ports were completed and that the Export Processing Zone was identified at Damdhum, Samtse. The WTO accession process was resumed through national workshops, consultations and preparations for the fifth Working Party meeting.
The Department of Media, Creative Industry and Intellectual Property generated USD 202,033 in revenue from creative exports against a target of USD 200,000 and USD 519,441 from craft exports against a target of USD 500,000. It also reported 1,703 people employed in creative-industry jobs against a target of 1,600.
Four geographical indication products were protected, namely Bumthang Yathra, Bumthang Honey, Dhur-Tadingang Gontho and Merak-Sakteng Zoetey. However, intellectual property service revenue reached Nu 12.8 million against the target of Nu 25 million, which was the only departmental KPI reported as not achieved.
The Department of Employment and Entrepreneurship operationalised 61 startups against a target of 35 and conducted 471 career sessions against a target of 174. It also supported 64 schools and provided equipment and business-development support to 39 startups and entrepreneurs.
Job placements reached 5,491 against a target of 5,750. The report states that the KPI was considered achieved because overseas placement was affected by the conflict in the Middle East.
The Department of Labour recorded 89.5 percent compliance with the Labour and Employment Act against a target of 70 percent and an 8.39 percent reduction in occupational health and safety non-compliance against a target of seven percent. A total of 178 labour disputes were resolved within the stated 21-working-day turnaround time.
Among the agencies, the Bhutan InfoComm and Media Authority maintained an average 4G throughput of 18.24 Mbps and connected 204 households against a target of 200. The Bhutan Standards Bureau developed 14 standards and verified 4,257 weighing balances.
The Competition and Consumer Affairs Authority conducted 13 market studies and educated 6,245 consumers and businesses. It resolved 334 of 338 grievances and refunded Nu 2.79 million to aggrieved consumers.
The Corporate Regulatory Authority introduced five regulatory reforms and recorded a 10.33 percent increase in capital-market instruments against a target of 10 percent.
The six RoICEs achieved all 106 KPIs, with budget utilisation ranging from 97.24 percent to 99.59 percent. The Phuentsholing regional office recorded the highest utilisation at 99.59 percent.
The report’s overall results include 5,285 new establishments, including 5,218 CSIs and 67 medium and large industries, Nu 4.82 billion in direct tourism revenue, 5,491 jobseekers placed through the Youth Engagement and Livelihood Programme, Overseas Employment Programme and Employment Service Centres, and 204 households connected to reliable mobile networks.
It also records four geographical indication products certified, 89.5 percent compliance with the Labour and Employment Act, 10 national standards developed or adopted, 3,377 businesses covered for compliance with consumer protection and competition laws, and a 10.33 percent increase in capital-market instruments issued through commercial papers and corporate bonds.
The ministry stated that the FY 2025-2026 results demonstrate institutional performance and regional implementation. It said the ministry would focus on closing the remaining performance gap, strengthening future KPIs, improving administrative data systems and sustaining coordinated delivery across departments, agencies and RoICEs.
