BHUTAN TODAY The New Perspective
Druk Holding and Investments (DHI) launched Business Acceleration Program (DHI BizAP) app yesterday at Start-Up Center, Changzamtog, Thimphu in the presence of Chief Guest, Hon’ble Chief Justice, Tshering Wangchuk, Chief Advisor to the Interim Government, distinguish guests and participants.
The app launched was initiated by DHI, mainly to promote Cottage and Small Industries (CSI) sectors in Bhutan with the government’s mandate to ‘’Promote and encourage entrepreneurship and business development through venture capital and other required institutional support.”
Lhakyi Tenzing, associate analyst of DHI presented the key components of the comprehensive entrepreneurship program.
Training and Skill development: the training is delivered by global experts where entrepreneurs will undergo 33 days training to innovate, sharpen entrepreneurs’ value proposition, define target market, getting feedback of products/ technology and determine effective business model for an enterprise.
Financing: finance being major constraint in entrepreneurship promotion in Bhutan, DHI will support with maximum Nu. 5,00,000 sourcing from equity contribution with an administrative fee of 5% per annum without interest and ownership.
Membership: DHI will mentor relationships with experienced business persons to build network in accessing market who can offer strategic advice with respective venture to all entrepreneurs.
Monitoring and Evaluation Systems: DHI will monitor and evaluate the performance of the entrepreneurs timely to ensure success of the venture.
DHI has hired the service of IC2 Institute of Texas, USA as a partner in training methodology which will provide training and certify the local trainers and professionals in next one year to take forward sustainably.
Lhakyi Tenzing said, “In a fast moving hi-tech world, the launch of BizAp will enhance the entrepreneurship translating into bigger world.’’ She said that DHI hopes that this app will become productive as entrepreneurs are innovation of diverse economy and are confident that they will be well equipped.
The Chief Justice said that it’s a pleasure to address to the young entrepreneurs as they are essence, country’s minds, future, and a crucial component of our country’s development and progress. Under the visionary leadership and guidance of benevolent Monarchs, Bhutan has witnessed rapid and fundamental changes both in the economic and legal domain smoothly. He said, ‘’Today’s younger generation is more aware about the world around them, you are more technologically advanced and more inter-connected compared to previous generation of youth. However, today’s youth across the globe are facing higher level of unemployment. Lack of unemployment opportunities and non-inclusion of our youth in development priorities will lead to stagnation of our nation’s progress. These concerns cannot be addressed by only focusing on increasing government employment opportunities. As an alternative, we need to take a fresh approach to empowering our youths by equipping them with necessary skills create their own employment opportunities-and as you succeed, become empowered, you are duty bound to reciprocate by creating employment opportunities for others.’’
Chief Justice also said that there is opportunity to boost quality and quantity employment by harnessing and innovating the energy of youth through entrepreneurship. He told that youth have the moral responsibility to become leaders of tomorrow and urged to be mindful of constitution to protect environment and preserve rich biodiversity preventing all forms of ecological degradation as trustee of the Kingdom’s natural resources and environment. “ To expand opportunities for entrepreneurship, concerted action is needed to reached out to our youth. BizAp is a fine example of a positive approach towards supporting and empowering our young entrepreneurs through exchange of ideas, sharing of knowledge and development of skills. Such initiatives of DHI to promote and support entrepreneurship are truly commendable,” Chief Guest addressed to the young entrepreneurs.
Managing Director of IC2 Institute, Global Commercialization Group, Glenn E. Robinson said that he is proud that with the launch of BizAp, Bhutan became the 44th country to be engaged in the creation hi-tech plan scenario. This program with the University of Texas, US is to collaborate professionalism and methodology with Bhutanese people.
The founder of I Hub Bhutan, Tashi Wangdi shared his challenges in starting entrepreneur where he faced acceptance problem from the family and had to spent night in the office. Tashi Wangdi featured hardship encountered by all the young entrepreneurs in Bhutan. He said, “I hope that with the help DHI, all the young entrepreneurs will succeed
By Sangay Rabten
