To seek directives on finalising the 13th Five-Year Plan, ministries presented their plans to the prime minister and Cabinet ministers over the weekend. The presentations highlighted ministries’ priority areas and an outline of the estimated budget allocated for the five-year term. The 13th Five-Year Plan aims to transform Bhutan into a high-income economy by 2034.
During the presentations held yesterday and today, the nine ministries presented plans, which incorporated the new government’s pledges.
According to officials from the Cabinet Secretariat, the presentation is primarily to seek directives to finalise the plan.
However, officials said that it will take several subsequent meetings and discussions to finalise the 13th Five-Year Plan document.
According to a Facebook post from the Prime Minister’s Office, Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay, emphasised the importance of strong educational, healthcare, and infrastructure systems among others for the country to develop.
The total budget outlay of the 13th Five-Year Plan is estimated at over Nu 500bn and another Nu 15bn for the economic stimulus plan, which is part of the new government’s pledges.
The 13th plan’s primary goals for the economy involve increasing the Gross Domestic Product from USD 2.5bn to USD 5bn by 2029 and making Bhutan a USD 10bn economy by 2034.
The plan, scheduled to commence from July this year also aims to increase the GDP per capita income to over USD 12,000 by 2034.
Namgay Dema
Edited by Sherub Dorji
