Introduction
The Druk Journal is contributing to Bhutan’s growth as a democracy and as a modern nation state. It is becoming an increasingly vibrant public space in which we encourage our contributors to expand our national discourse by introducing new ideas and concepts into the Bhutanese conversation. Through regular publications, an interactive website, and open discussions after each edition, we engage Bhutanese society in conversation so that all citizens can exchange open and frank views on national policies and issues that are important for Bhutan. The Druk Journal hopes, not only to inform citizens, but to build a community of people that will play an active role, as individuals and as a community, in the development of analytical attitudes toward national policies. It is our hope that participation in such a community will encourage individuals to engage in policy research that can be made available to the government and larger Bhutanese society. The Druk Journal thus serves as a vehicle for the development of a community of people who are concerned about national issues and want to participate in the development of policy by thinking publicly and through conversation. Such a community of thinkers will also draw on the experience of other countries in those areas of political, social, economic, and cultural experimentation that are relevant to our own concerns. The Druk Journal is a non-partisan publication. Our purpose is to serve the national interest through the development of serious conversation on issues from every possible constructive point of view. We have no editorial position of our own. We believe that our stated objectives and the means we will use to achieve them are the best way in which we can serve our country and His Majesty The King. This issue looks at how young Bhutanese can become entrepreneurs in all areas of development to diversify the national economy and take the nation closer to the goal of economic self reliance. We wish you Good Reading, Good Thinking, and Good Conversation
Transforming Bhutan’s Economy
WINTER 2018 VOLUME 4, ISSUE 2
Table of Contents
Editorial
Are We Talking GNH and Doing GDP?
THE BHUTANESE ECONOMY
What is a GNH Economy?
Mark Mancall
Bhutan’s Journey to Economic Transformation
Gopal Giri
THE ECONOMIC CLIMATE
How can Bhutan Become a Global Player in the Fourth Industrial Revolution?
Thibault Danjou and Sonam Tashi
Doing Business Bhutan
Wee Tan Yeong
The Entrepreneurship Culture
Ram Bahadur Gurung and Jigme Tenzin
Harnessing the Power of IT for Development and Nation-building
Dr Tshering Cigay Dorji
WHERE ARE THE RESOURCES?
Fiscal Support for Cottage and Small Industries
Karma Loday
How Much Should Bhutan Worry About its Public Debt?
Yoichiro Ishihara
Priority Sector Lending — Redirecting the Course of the Economy
Tshering Dorji
WHAT ARE THE PRIORITIES?
Towards Food Sovereignty and Organic Farming
Adrian Von Bernstorff and Hannes Lorenzen
Transforming the Economy Through Tourism
Siok Sian Pek-Dorji
Transport to Facilitate Economy
Ugyen Penjore
How Not to Miss the Boat
Gopilal Acharya
Establishing a Bhutanese Creative Community: The Salient Driver for Bhutan’s Cultural Industries
Dr Joseph Lo
STORIES
Promoting Bhutanese Products to Build Rural Economy
Dasho Kinley Dorji
Women Entrepreneurship in Bhutan – the Scenario and the Way Forward
Pem Lama
Matching Skills and Jobs
Tashi Dema
Sangay’s Story: an Anecdote
Yangchen Tshogyel