To strengthen the country’s private sector, a Parliament-Private Sector Collaboration Strategy document was launched today in the Parliament of Bhutan. The initiative, funded by the European Union, aims to enhance the private sector’s contribution to the country’s development, to achieve the goal of ‘Developed Bhutan’ by 2034.
The strategy, developed under the Voice for Green Change Partnership (V4GCP) project, led by the Handicrafts Association of Bhutan in partnership with the Bhutan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI), plans to integrate the private sector’s voice into the legislative process.
According to the document, the strategy will empower the private sector to create jobs, boost exports, foster entrepreneurship, and strengthen the country’s revenue.
It also says that although the private sector is considered the engine of growth for the country’s economy, the private sector has faced challenges in achieving its potential without a specific policy.
“We represent the private sector from our own constituencies, like how they are engaging with the local government, district level, and gewog level. We thought that we should support them by formulating strategy that could bring about better collaboration between the parliament and the private sector,” said Lungten Dorji, Speaker of National Assembly of Bhutan.
“With this strategic plan, we now have a tool in our hands with which we can support the private sectors so that they enhance their capabilities. This will also make us comfortable in dealing with the private sector. There is also an environment created that out of so many strategic plans, this one in particular will make sure that there won’t be any issues in the future for further collaborations,” said Sangay Dorji, Chairperson of National Council of Bhutan.
He added that the National Council, as the house of review will examine policies and laws affecting the private sector to ensure that they align with the country’s economic goals.
“This document will enhance the private sector, where the laws and rules will be tabled through the parliament. We have also developed channels of how we will apprise the parliamentarians, and the parliamentarians will further take it with the government,” said Tandy Wangchuk, President, BCCI.
“We have appealed to the parliament and the parliament has equally given us support. We are glad that now we can launch a parliament-private strategy. We look forward that through this strategy, we can harmonise many policies and many laws that will enable private sector development,” said Chorten Dorji, Executive Director, Handicrafts Association of Bhutan.
“It is a strategy that is not just pro-growth and pro-business but also pro-democracy. It shows that the parliament is reaching out to different segments of the Bhutanese societies. A year ago, it was the launch of the strategy of collaboration with the CSOs and this time it is with the private sector. I think this is a very inclusive and a very dynamic approach,” said Herve Delphin, European Union Ambassador to Bhutan.
The event was attended by Bhutanese parliamentarians, ambassadors and representatives of 17 member states of the European Union.
Last year, Bhutan’s total exports surpassed Nu 44.5bn, with more than Nu 27bn, generated by non-government entities, primarily from the private sector.
Namgay Dema
Edited by Kipchu
