The Department of Trade, Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Employment (MoICE), in collaboration with the Asian Development Bank (ADB), conducted a two-day capacity-building workshop on Rules of Origin (RoO) from 9-10 September 2025 in Punakha. This program follows an earlier workshop held in Paro from 28-30 April 2025, which focused on identifying potential Free Trade Agreement (FTA) partners and strengthening Bhutan’s negotiation capacity.

The workshop provided participants with an in-depth understanding of core FTA disciplines and RoO provisions, including the application framework, methodologies for calculating value addition, and comparative approaches adopted by partner countries. Practical simulation exercises were conducted to strengthen institutional preparedness and enhance Bhutan’s ability to negotiate and implement trade agreements effectively. The workshop was attended by representatives from key government agencies and private sector stakeholders, and was facilitated by expert consultants from the ADB.

This collaboration underscores the commitment of the Department of Trade and ADB to enhance Bhutan’s technical capacity to engage in regional and multilateral trade agreements, expand market access, and promote inclusive and sustainable economic growth.