Research in the Renewable Natural Resources (RNR) sector has so far been undertaken fairly successfully without a formal research policy.  Recent developments and trends, however, point to the need for the sector to adopt a formal research policy. They include: growing pressure on the Government to provide more resources for RNR research as an essential driver of sustainable RNR sector socio-economic growth and poverty reduction; growing pressures for resource conservation and utilization and purposeful response to climate change; the need to make research more efficient,  self-sustaining and less dependent on donor support; the need to improve the internal governance and administration of RNR research by providing more guidance and coordination to the larger number of participants in  RNR research system that is more complex; growing pressure to transform operations in the RNR sector from mainly subsistence to  commercial; and the importance that is attached to  building a knowledge-based society.  Click to download

With rapid socio-economic development, the urban centres are becoming economic hubs. This is setting a new trend and requires provision of increased level of basic amenities such as housing, roads, sewerage, water supply, waste management among others in the urban centres..

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Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) make-up an overwhelming majority (approximately 98%) of all enterprises in most countries, including Bhutan1. They are drivers of competitiveness and innovation in many economic sectors and impact directly on employment, equitable opportunities for income and wealth generation, balanced regional development and poverty reduction. As a consequence, most governments develop a MSME Policy to support this important sector of the economy.

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Until the advent of modern education in Bhutan, the monastic education system served the spiritual and human resource needs of the country for centuries. Although two schools were started in 1915, one each in Bumthang and Haa, modern education in a more organized fashion actually began only in the late 1950s. Various colleges were later established throughout the country, and these eventually led to the establishment of the Royal University of Bhutan in 2003. The establishment of a national university was envisaged as early as the Fifth Five Year Plan (1981-1986) and it was to be named as Ugyen Wangchuck National University. The rapidly changing socio-economic development, both at home and abroad, more than ever before demand further growth and expansion of a sound tertiary education system in the country. Read more..

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Bhutan has grown fast in the last four decades. Education and health have been given utmost importance by the Royal Government. However, the world is changing fast and it has to develop its human resources to meet the challenges of global competitiveness and to build a knowledge based society. The modern world is characterised by knowledge, technology and innovation; therefore, it necessitates the creation of higher knowledge and competencies of people for their development and well-being. Presently Bhutan is standing at a significant point in history where it can transform itself into a knowledge based society. There is a shortage of technical and vocational skills and trained manpower. There is also a mismatch between the available jobs and required skills, resulting in unemployment. Knowledge and skills are the prime drivers of socio-economic development on the one hand and generator of employment and upward social mobility on the other. Read more…

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Bhutan has achieved remarkable health development since theadvent of modern health care in the early 1960’s. Bhutan hassustained primary health care coverage at above 90 % (Percentageof population within 3 hrs walking distance each way to a healthservice delivery point). Read more..

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“I have always believed that a nation’s future is mirrored in the quality of heryouth and that it is the government’s sacred duty to provide a good educationand a conducive environment for young people to become strong, capableleaders for the future”

His Majesty, the King, Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck; Royal Address tothe Nation, National Day, 17th December 2007. Read more…

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The nation’s long term development is guided by the concept of maximizing Gross National Happiness. The spirit and intent of this concept as articulated in the Bhutan Vision 2020 document is to “maximise the happiness of all Bhutanese and to enable them to achieve their full and innate potential as human beings.” This is envisaged through the adoption of policies and programs that operationalizes the four pillars of GNH namely sustainable socio-economic development, conservation of natural environment, preservation of culture and good governance. Read more..

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In the last 50 years of planned socio-economic development, the country has progressed from the traditional stage to the precondition for economic take off. Various macroeconomic and human development indicators have improved significantly since 1980. In the first six years of the present century, the country has experienced a sharp acceleration in average annual growth rate of real GDP to 7.9% from 5.9% in the 1990s. In 2008, the country’s per capita income was US$ 21521. Read more..

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