On 27th July 2024, the Department of Industry, Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Employment published a comprehensive report on the first-ever nationwide Industry Census of Bhutan 2024. The industry census was conducted in close collaboration and coordination with the National Statistics Bureau. 

The report captures detailed statistics of the operational industries in the country, encompassing the reference period from 1st January to 31st December of the calendar year 2023.

A dedicated team of 113 enumerators conducted the census between 17th February and 10th April 2024, supervised by 19 officials and 6 Dashboard Managers from the Department of Industry, National Statistics Bureau, and Regional Offices of Industry,
Commerce, and Employment. 

The census was aimed to achieve several key objectives, with a primary objective to measure the industrial sector's contribution to the nation's Gross Domestic Product. It also aimed to assess employment generation among the industries and study the distribution of industries across various categories such as production and manufacturing industries, service industries, contract/construction industries and Foreign Direct Investments. Furthermore, the census studies the composition of industries by scale, separating cottage, small, medium, and large-scale operations, providing a clearer picture of the overall industry profile in Bhutan. 

The report also identifies the challenges faced by the industries and presents recommendations to improve the business ecosystem in the country based on the feedback suggested by the industries and observations recorded during data collection. 

The availability of extensive data and analysis in the census report could guide policymakers in formulating evidence-based strategies that support industrial promotion and nurture a favourable business environment. The census results will also help reconcile the discrepancy between the number of industrial licenses issued by the government and the number of industries that are truly operational in the country.

The detailed and complete report can be viewed at www.industry.gov.bt/publications.