Dorji Choden

The Bhutan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI), with support from the European Union-funded Voice for Green Change Partnership (V4GCP) project, is leading an initiative to craft a comprehensive proposal for private sector engagement in the 13th Plan.

This is co-ordinated by the Handicrafts Association of Bhutan (HAB), and the initiative aims to align with the government’s vision of a private sector-led growth model, positioning it as the driving force behind the country’s economic development. 

BCCI president, Tandy Wangchuk, emphasised the initiative’s significance stating: “This is the first-of-its-kind initiative where the private sector asserts its role as the engine of growth for Bhutan’s economy. Our goal is to support the government in achieving the objectives of the 13th Plan, especially those involving private sector participation.”

The 13th Plan envisions achieving a GDP of USD 5 billion by 2029 and attaining the status of a “High-Income GNH Country” by 2034.

To meet these ambitious targets, robust collaboration between the government and private sector is essential. 

Chandra Bdr. Chhetri, secretary general of BCCI shared: “The proposal seeks to streamline and amplify the private sector’s contributions to ensure a unified and significant impact.” 

While the private sector will play a pivotal role in the economic development cluster, it also aims to support initiatives across the other three clusters such as social development, security, and transformed governance. 

The government’s commitments under the economic development cluster includes creating a conducive business ecosystem by streamlining regulations, establishing one-stop service delivery points, reforming licensing and tax frameworks, enhancing access to finance, and privatising state-owned enterprises (SOEs) through public-private partnerships (PPPs).

In addition, the government will prioritise nine identified growth drivers, skilling programmes and ecological resilience.

Under the Transformed Governance cluster, the private sector plans to strengthen government-to-business (G2B) platforms, advocate for legal reforms, and collaborate with civil society organizations and media to highlight its role in economic management. It will also focus on advancing the digital economy and promoting cross-cutting principles such as gender equality, environmental sustainability, and poverty reduction. 

The BCCI plans to consult with government ministries to align private sector contributions with national priorities.

“We hope the government agencies will embrace this opportunity for collaboration and partnership,” Tandy Wangchuk said. 

Private sector players from various industries such as tourism, manufacturing, education, farming, ICT, and others are invited to contribute to the proposal.

“This initiative marks a historic milestone for our country’s private sector. If successful, this partnership between the government and the private sector could be a model for other nations,” said Chorten Dorji, project director of V4GCP.

The final proposal is expected to be presented to the government by April 2025.