The 13th Five-Year Plan was officially launched by Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay in the capital today. During the launch, the Prime Minister highlighted the importance of collaboration between the central and local government agencies to ensure the success of the 13th Five-Year Plan.
To achieve the 13th Five-Year Plan objectives and outcomes, eight national programmes will be implemented through the collaborative effort of the central agencies, local governments and relevant partners.
The total resources available for the 13th Five-Year Plan are estimated to be more than Nu 456bn, while the total expected spending is over Nu 512bn.
“Let’s pray as we roll out the 13th FYP. We have to thrive so that our countrymen do not leave this country but instead, people who are outside right now will want to come back,” said the prime minister.
Representatives from the Indian embassy, JICA, ADB and the UN also attended the launch.
India’s Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, in March this year announced that the Government of India would provide 100 billion rupees for Bhutan’s 13th Five-Year Plan.
Sudhakar Dalela, Indian ambassador to Bhutan said “As we go ahead, India will continue to remain a steadfast and development partner of Bhutan. Under the 13th FYP, India has committed to further expanding our development partnership in consonance with the vision of His Majesty and priorities of the Royal Government of Bhutan.”
Given the ambitious budget outlay of more than Nu 512bn, the Prime Minister in a separate interview with the media said that the current civil servant strength in the country is capable of executing the 13th Five-Year Plan.
“The current number of civil servants is more than enough. But I don’t know if I would say the same if more civil servants were to leave their jobs,” said Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay.
Bhutan follows a five-year planning cycle to implement its development priorities. Since the initiation of the first Five-Year Plan in 1961, 12 Five-Year Plans have been implemented as of June this year. Considering the evolving circumstances, needs and opportunities facing Bhutan in the 21st century, the Government is now adopting a longer-term strategic framework from 2024-2034.
Samten Dolkar
Edited by Yeshi Gyaltshen
