Happiness Tea Pvt. Ltd. (NewCo) is a proposed 49/51 Bhutan–foreign joint venture (foreign 49 percent, Bhutanese promoter 51 percent) that vertically integrates a fully productive 3,500-tree organic orchard in Paro Dzongkhag and a sister farm in Punakha into a branded estate-grown fruit-tea enterprise. Bhutan currently has no domestic producer of organic, single-origin fruit tea; the entire shelf is supplied by imported brands (Twinings, Celestial Seasonings, regional brands from India, Thailand and China), and the global premium organic tea segment is the fastest-growing slice of the global tea market. The Happiness Farm at Dogar Gewog has been built over more than a decade by Mr. Dorji and now produces approximately 74,000 kilograms of fresh fruit per year across five varietals (lemon, avocado, orange, apple, and Japanese pear), aggregating output from The Happiness Farm in Paro and The Happiness Farm 2 in Punakha. The orchard exists, the productive trees exist, and the proprietor’s track record exists; what is missing is the capital, the brand, and the manufacturing platform that converts a fruit grower into a beverage company.
This summary distils the investment case for the prospective foreign partner under the Foreign Direct Investment Rules and Regulations 2025 (effective 18 July 2025). The project is classified under Schedule I priority manufacturing (agro-processing), which permits up to 100 percent foreign equity, exempts the project from the Nu. 50 million minimum project cost otherwise applicable to Schedule III general manufacturing, and is reviewed on a fast-track timeline by the MoICE FDI Division. The total project cost is Nu. 35.00 million (USD 376,344), financed entirely by equity — Nu. 17.15 million foreign equity (USD 184,409) and Nu. 17.85 million Bhutanese promoter equity (USD 191,935), with no bank debt. The all-equity structure removes debt-service risk from the project, and the Nu. 17.15 million foreign capital deployment exceeds the Nu. 15 million Investor Card threshold under FDI Rules 2025, qualifying the foreign investor for a 3-year residency permit, tax exemptions and SDF exemption.
Japanese Pear Signature
Delicate, naturally sweet, refreshing, faintly floral.
Tasting Notes
Crisp Pear, White Blossom, Mountain Spring Water
Citrus Zest
Bright and uplifting, lemon and orange from the estate.
Tasting Notes
Sun-warmed Orange, Lemon Rind, Bright Acidity
Orchard Harvest
Warm and complex, apple and seasonal fruit.
Tasting Notes
Spiced Apple, Deep Stone Fruit, Earthy Sweetness
Happy Cream Avocado
Rich, velvety, uniquely Bhutanese.
Tasting Notes
Buttery Avocado, Smooth Cream, Grounding Earth
Dorji Dorji is a distinguished Bhutanese executive serving as Chief Executive Officer of The Happiness Farm, where he applies 24 years of experience to integrating agricultural innovation with eco-tourism. Multilingual and deeply rooted in Bhutanese culture, his expertise spans tourism, agriculture, and environmental conservation. His background includes a pivotal role as Acting Chief Program Officer for the Bhutan Trust Fund for Environmental Conservation, where he oversaw program proposals and served as National Implementing Agency for the Adaptation Fund and the Global Environment Facility. His experience ranges from coordinating Bhutan’s presence at the 2008 Smithsonian Folklife Festival to leading the Guinness World Record-recognized “Largest Book in the World” project in 2003. Through leadership roles and past work with entities such as Drukyul Holidays, Dorji connects travelers to Bhutan’s landscapes, food systems, and living traditions. He holds an MBA with a specialization in Project Management from The Australian National University and completed the Senior Executive Leadership Program (SELP 5) at the Royal Institute for Governance & Strategic Studies in 2015. He remains actively involved in various advisory roles and is a strong advocate for organic farming, rural livelihoods, sustainability, and conservation initiatives across Bhutan.
