Despite the disgruntlement amongst brick manufacturers in the country over imported bricks affecting their business, in Zhemgang’s Buli village, two entrepreneurs have established a thriving concrete hollow block-making business. Before the duo started their business last year, people in upper Zhemgang heavily relied on imported bricks for construction, which are expensive and not readily available. However, the new venture has successfully tackled these challenges.
Pema Wangchuk and Pempa Tshering are the brains behind the manufacturing unit in rural Zhemgang.
They make two types of hollow blocks from locally sourced materials. By establishing this small plant, Pema and Pempa have provided a sustainable solution to the communities of upper Zhemgang such as in Shingkhar, Bardo and Nangkor Gewogs.
“We are not compromising the quality and we are trying our best to meet the standards of our customers. We have not employed any other staff and the two of us make the blocks ourselves,” said Pema Wangchuk.
“We have so many out-of-school youth here in Buli. So, if we get the government’s support and the business keeps doing well, we will be able to expand the business and recruit fellow youths in our firm,” said Pempa Tshering.
As the demand for their concrete hollow blocks continues to grow, they are now looking to expand their production. The pair is also optimistic that the ongoing Burgangchu Hydropower project at Buli would boost their business.
“It would benefit us if the project could use our hollow blocks wherever required in its construction works,” said Pempa Tshering.
“ As the project is nearby, it would be economical for it as well to use our product. We can supply different sizes in accordance with the demand,” said Pema Wangchuk.
Their production began last year after investing about Nu 1.5 M. Today, the unit makes around 300 to 500 pieces of concrete hollow blocks in a day.
Pema Samdrup, Zhemgang
Edited by Kipchu
