The Department of Trade, Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Employment (MoICE), today successfully hosted the joint Award Ceremony for the Bhutan SEAL and Brand Bhutan Mark at the Brand Bhutan Store in Changzamtok, recognizing outstanding Bhutanese products and businesses for their excellence in quality, authenticity, and innovation.
The event was graced by the Hon’ble Minister of MoICE as the chief guest and attended by senior government officials, heads of agencies from both government and private sectors, award recipients, producers, and artisans.
A total of 12 products were awarded under the Brand Bhutan Initiative, including 11 under the Made in Bhutan (MIB) mark and 1 under the Grown in Bhutan (GIB) mark. Under the Bhutan SEAL Award, 7 handicraft products received the Seal of Quality.
The awards recognize exceptional standards in craftsmanship, innovation, and market potential, while reinforcing the importance of maintaining quality and authenticity in Bhutanese products.
In his remarks, the Hon’ble Minister emphasized the critical role of these initiatives in strengthening Bhutan’s identity in global markets. He encouraged producers and artisans to continue upholding high standards and to leverage these recognitions to enhance competitiveness and expand market reach internationally.
The ceremony highlighted the contributions of producers, farmers, and artisans as key ambassadors of Bhutanese culture, showcasing the country’s values, heritage, and commitment to sustainable and authentic production practices. Award recipients were commended for their dedication, creativity, and efforts in preserving tradition while embracing innovation.
By combining the two ceremonies, the Department provided a unified platform to recognize excellence, foster collaboration among stakeholders, raise awareness of certified Bhutanese products, and inspire emerging entrepreneurs and artisans.
Launched in 2016, the Brand Bhutan Initiative serves as Bhutan’s national strategy to strengthen the identity, competitiveness, and marketability of Bhutanese products and services. Through the Made in Bhutan and Grown in Bhutan certification marks, the initiative assures authenticity, supports producers and farmers, and enhances product visibility in both domestic and international markets. Since its inception, 113 products have been certified under the initiative.
The Bhutan SEAL Award, established in 2009 and inspired by the UNESCO Seal of Excellence for Handicrafts, recognizes outstanding Bhutanese handicrafts that demonstrate excellence in quality, craftsmanship, innovation, and market appeal.
The Department of Trade reaffirmed its continued commitment to supporting producers, expanding market opportunities, and promoting Bhutan SEAL and Brand Bhutan mark certified products both domestically and internationally.
