The 7th Construction Expo opened on a high note in Thimphu today, showcasing a wide array of modern construction materials and technologies. With increased participation, the expo reflects the sector’s growing potential. Stakeholders also highlighted the importance of developing skilled labour to fully harness the benefits of advanced materials and technologies.
This year’s expo is also a milestone event, marking 25 years since the establishment of the Construction Association of Bhutan. The four-day event hosts 127 stalls, of which 13 are by Bhutanese participants and the rest are occupied by Indian traders.
Addressing the gathering, the President of the Construction Association of Bhutan, Trashi Wangyal (PhD), stressed the need for skill development to match the growing availability of new materials and technologies.
He said, “What I would like to tell the traders present here is to specify what kind of skill is required to maintain or install the materials you are selling. The skill set that may be required. That’s why we have asked the skills council to have a separate booth here today, so that any skill requirement can be communicated to the Bhutanese counterparts.”
Sonam Wangchuk, the executive director of the association, noted how the exhibition has grown over the years. Once with nearly empty stalls, it now sees an increase in bookings, including more Bhutanese exhibitors.
“Our focus in the 13th Five-Year Plan is to improve the quality of construction. And one of the ways we can improve the quality is to bring in quality materials. We have to change the way we approach construction. That is the reason why we hold the construction forum every year.”
Even so, the association sees the need to turn the expo into a more strategic event, one that can play a bigger role in strengthening Bhutan’s construction sector. To achieve this, the executive director said the association is exploring ways to bring in more international competitors and diversify participation in future expos.
Sonam Wangchuk said, “Our association has talked to traders from countries like Singapore and Thailand. This is so that there is a sense of competition between them and the existing traders, like India. This would help improve our expos. This was discussed during the association meeting yesterday, and we are planning to do it in the future.”
As Bhutan’s construction sector continues to evolve, the association hopes platforms like the expo will help raise the quality of materials used in the country. Additionally, the introduction of a separate booth by the skills council is expected to help bridge the growing gap in skilled labour.
Karma Samten Wangda
Edited by Kipchu
