Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay’s speech, during the seventh Vibrant Gujarat global Business Summit yesterday, made headlines in many local and Indian newspapers including the social media.
Interjecting his speech with Hindi in between, the Prime Minister received the largest applause and cheers from the audience. Lyonchhen said he was on an economic pilgrimage to Gujarat, which is often described as a world centre for business ideas, and innovation.
Introducing the country, he said, Bhutan was a small country with a GDP size of only US$ 1.7B, which he laughingly claimed, was smaller than the amount some of the delegates present in the summit were worth.
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| Video courtesy: DeshGujarat |
“Bhutan’s economy is small, but it is green and sustainable,” the Lyonchhen said which quickly followed with cheers and applause. He also added that healthcare and education was free in the country.
Talking about the concept of Gross National Happiness, which he also translated to Hindi, Lyonchhen said the concept had been a subject of discussion for the global community and experts.
However, he informed the summit that His Majesty of Bhutan has always reminded that Gross National Happiness simply meant, development with values.
Lyonchhen, towards the later part of his speech, urged businesses to come visit Bhutan and set up their businesses, but only if it was green and sustainable and did not impact the environment much.
Lyonchhen Tshering Tobgay called on the Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi after arriving at Ahmedabad , on Saturday. Lyonchhen conveyed warm regards of His Majesty the King and the people of Bhutan to the Indian Prime Minister.
The two discussed various issues of mutual interest including hydropower, tourism, mining and cooperation in areas of security. Prime Minister, Modi said that Bhutan had potential in the tourism industry and should be promoted as a tourist destination.
Lyonchhen informed Prime Minister Narendra Modi that Bhutan is committed to strengthening the close bonds of friendship between the people of Bhutan and India which were sown by the Late Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru and the Third Druk Gyalpo.
