The government is also considering providing job experience by employing youth in ministries and corporations 

Employment: The government is currently working on a new project called the Jobs Plan to identify correct job opportunities for youth in the country.

Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay announced the plan during a talk to students at the Gaeddu College of Business Studies on November 2. He was responding to a college student’s question on the government’s plan to bring full employment to the country by 2020.

Job opportunities in various sectors such as the private sector, public sector, sports, agriculture, cottage, medium, and small industries are being listed at the moment, Lyonchoen told the college students.

“The Jobs Plan is in the pipeline,” he said, adding that unemployed youth will be able to find opportunities where their interests lie.

Once the Jobs Plan is ready, Lyonchoen said that the youth can look for the right jobs without having to compromise their ambition.

Lyonchoen also said that the government would look into giving job experience to the youth as per the requirement of employers by letting jobseekers work in ministries and corporations, if need be.

The Prime Minister also stressed how the country’s economic strength is related to the creation of job opportunities. “We don’t even have to wait until 2020 for full employment,” Lyonchoen said, pointing out that there are plenty of opportunities today.

However, the government, Lyonchoen said would have to create jobs rather than give jobs. Otherwise, jobs will be provided to individuals unnecessarily, which would in the long run not benefit the country and its economy, he said.

“The private sector is important for job creation,” Lyonchoen said. “This means we need a strong economy.”

Lyonchoen then highlighted how the country’s economy has grown. He pointed out that between 2011 and 2013 there was a Rupee crises, housing loan ban, and vehicle import ban. “Such is not the economic situation today,” he said, adding that the problems have been solved.

The government has also focused on “ease of doing business,” it was highlighted by Lyonchoen. There is potential that Bhutan’s ranking would climb up among the top 50 countries among 189 countries in the world.

Bhutan ranked 73rd in ease of doing business this year, while it ranked as 71st in 2015.

“And we are improving,” Lyonchoen said. “It means our economy is getting better and better, which means the private sector is also getting better.”

Meanwhile, Lyonchoen also made it clear to the college students that creating job opportunities was a two-way process. The youth should also work hard to do their part, while the government does its.

Women participation in leadership, sovereignty of the nation, importance of national language were some other topics the Prime Minister covered during his visit to the college.

Lyonchoen is currently visiting gewogs in Samtse. He will visit Norgaygang (Bara), Tendu, Pemaling (Biru), Tashichholing (Sipsu).

Lyonchoen has visited more than 115 gewogs across the country until today. He will visit the remaining gewogs within the next six months.

Rajesh Rai | Gedu