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Thupten Sangpo
The flagship programme for development of start-ups, cottage and small industries (CSIs) launched in 2019 has achieved all its targets and is deemed a success, according to the Department of Industries under the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Employment.
The government launched this flagship initiative in 2019 with a budget of N1.2 billion to provide end-to-end support and build a vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem.
The flagship programme aims to add value to 21 products, support 746 CSIs (both new and existing) and create 2,000 jobs by 2023 – 1,200 jobs in the CSI sector and around 800 jobs in start-ups.
The flagship program also aims to replace 10 products by the end of 2020, focusing on products such as sanitary napkins and noodles.
From 2020 to 2023, the focus includes the production of products such as pasteurized butter, cheese, yogurt, pencils, potato products, bricks and hollow blocks, vegetable and juices, edible oils, herbal tea products and honey by-products. Over the next four years, the program aims to impact 3,320 young people.
An official confirmed that all these goals have been achieved, leading to significant developments in the CSI field.
Officials said the progress is evident in the increased market visibility of local CSI products, marked by improved quality and packaging, and the establishment of dedicated CSI sales points at home and abroad.
The flagship programme also addresses infrastructure challenges by setting up facilities like Fab Labs, CSI Industries and two Entrepreneurship Centres. Standardisation and certification of 21 products not only improves domestic quality but also makes CSI products suitable for export.
Bhutan now has two CSI markets They are located in Perth, Australia and New York, USA respectively.
Under this flagship programme, the government has provided more than 400 CSIs and start-ups with the technology they need to set up or scale up their businesses. To support artisans in rural areas, the government has established a public facility centre in Radhi and Trashigang to support more than 200 weavers in skill development, product marketing and access to raw materials.
The program recruited 2,000 people to participate in entrepreneurship development training programs, creating 61 start-ups and 254 jobs.
It also provided significant capacity building to over 700 CSIs in areas such as bookkeeping, marketing, packaging, labelling, food processing and digital marketing.
To strengthen the national food testing laboratory, the government procured specialized laboratory equipment and expanded the scope of testing to include mycotoxins, vitamins in cereals and juices, and aflatoxin M1 in milk.
We provide business development services to more than 60 startups, including business health checks, product development training and one-on-one mentoring.
In various Tsongkhapas and Gewogs, 1,340 members from 62 registered and unregistered groups were trained in post-harvest techniques, food processing and equipment operation.
An official also said that an integrated entrepreneurship course has also been introduced in school education for class 11 and 12 commerce subjects.
The programme also supported 90 artisans and craftspeople to develop new products and set up cluster outlets in handicraft markets to sell their products. Through the Cooperative Business Development Programme, 97 farmer groups and cooperatives received value-added equipment.
An official said the flagship programme was being implemented with the participation of key stakeholders through setting up of a project management unit.
He said there were no major problems in coordination, but, although the coronavirus pandemic was not specific to the CSI sector, its outbreak disrupted the implementation of planned activities.
“Some events had to be postponed or cancelled altogether. For example, expositions and exhibitions planned at home and abroad to expand the CSI market could not be held due to the pandemic,” an official added.
On the supply side, production has increased as the program supports the scaling up of existing businesses and the establishment of new ones, he added.
The program creates a viable ecosystem for nurturing new CSIs and start-ups, supporting key industries to improve the competitiveness of their products and services. Support also includes modern technology, capacity building training and assistance in obtaining certification.
On the demand side, the scheme provides local consumers with a wider choice of locally made products at prices more competitive than imported ones, an official said.
The then Ministry of Economy, Cottage and Small Scale Industries, led this flagship project in conjunction with various institutional partners.
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