A Swiss business delegation has arrived in Bhutan to explore potential business collaborations. According to officials, the visit intends to strengthen economic relations between Switzerland and Bhutan. A networking session was held in Thimphu today. Officials said the Swiss delegation is also keen to learn about the Gelephu Mindfulness City project and is eager to identify collaboration with the Bhutanese authorities. This is the third Swiss delegate to visit Bhutan.
At the meeting, more than 20 high-level representatives from 18 Swiss companies participated with Bhutanese business leaders and ministry officials.
The discussions focused on potential business sectors including wood processing and interior design, finance and investment, tourism and hospitality, and energy and infrastructure.
“The objective of having this networking session is to see the possibility of bringing Foreign Direct Investment from Switzerland to Bhutan. That is why we have been very mindful in selecting our members from different sectors. This time we are quite hopeful that one or two projects will materialise and for us, that will be a big achievement,” said Chandra Chhetri, secretary general of the Bhutan Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
“We wanted to see what the opportunities here are in Bhutan to work together and protect these different industry fields. The beginning is always about getting to know each other, building trust and we will see where this ends in business,” said Corine Blesi, chief executive officer of the Swiss Economic Forum.
“It is important that the business people from Bhutan and business people from Switzerland get to know each other and build trust to have opportunities to identify opportunities to do business together,” said Ruth Metzler-Arnold, president of Switzerland Global Enterprise.
The business owners in the country said that the interaction with the Swiss delegates will help them seek collaborations and explore various ideas.
The third visit by Swiss entrepreneurs is organised by the Embassy of Switzerland to India and Bhutan, and Switzerland Global Enterprise in close cooperation with the Swiss Business Hub India.
Bhutan hosted Swiss business delegations in 2019 and 2023 as well.
Namgay Dema
Edited by Kipchu
