The 14th Round Table Meeting (RTM) will see Bhutan go from an aid to trade based country says the Foreign Minister. At the fourth meet the press session, he said, with Bhutan graduating from the category of least developed countries in 2023, the country can no longer continue to ask for assistance from donor partners.
The RTM, which will begin tomorrow, is an important occasion for policy dialogue between the government and its development partners. It provides an opportunity to broaden understanding and partnerships through the sharing of successes, challenges and future priorities.
Foreign Minister Dr Tandi Dorji shared that the ministry has made substantial changes to the way the RTM will be held this time.
“Now Bhutan is on the process of graduation, we have to move from aid to trade. We also have to look for more partnerships. Also, I think our donors and partners are more interested to see what Bhutan can offer to them, not always what they can give. So these are the things that we are considering.”
Changing the format of the RTM, for the first time, there will be presentations and panel discussions on Bhutan’s opportunities and challenges.
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has also changed the way our foreign policies are going to be looked at. It is no more about political diplomacy, now we are moving towards economic diplomacy to see the economic opportunities that we can derive from, not only through our policies but through the engagement of our missions abroad,” he said.
“We are also having talks with our private sectors and whatever proposals they put up, the foreign ministry will facilitate to look into ways of getting donors or partners.”
The RTM will also see the participation and engagement of civil society organizations and representatives of all political parties to engage all stakeholders. About 120 foreign dignitaries are expected to attend the meeting.
The meeting will be jointly organized by the government and the United Nations Systems in Bhutan.
