EU – Bhutan Trade Support Export diversification for economic growth and poverty reduction photos ©shutterstock.com

Support Bhutan’s development objectives EU – Bhutan Trade Support Support Bhutan’s development objectives The EU – Bhutan Trade Support Project is aligned with: The Gross National Happiness objectives Bhutan Vision 2020 11th Five Year Plan 2013-2018 & 12th Five Year Plan 2018-2023 (Guidelines for preparation) Economic Development Policy (2010, revised in 2016) The EU – Bhutan Trade Support Project supports Bhutan’s priorities: Economic diversification Developing trade and investment for inclusive green socio-economic development, economic self reliance and poverty reduction

Project objectives Overall Objective: EU – Bhutan Trade Support Project objectives Overall Objective: Contribute to Bhutan’s economic growth and poverty reduction Specific Objective: Increased exports and export diversification, possibly contributing to the implementation of the “Brand Bhutan” Initiative

EU – Bhutan Trade Support Expected Results Enhanced capacities in the formulation and implementation of trade and investment policies and regulations Improved environment for exports of high-value horticulture products, including organic products Improved environment for exports of high-value handicraft textile products

The project at a glance Duration: EU – Bhutan Trade Support The project at a glance Duration: 3-year from 1 May 2018 to 30 April 2021 Budget: EUR 4 million Project funded by: The European Union FOCUS ON: Export diversification and value addition Trade capacity building and technical assistance, training and skills development Women & youth

Project partners and beneficiaries EU – Bhutan Trade Support Project partners and beneficiaries Direct beneficiaries: Bhutanese producers, SMEs and exporters in the horticulture and handicraft textile sectors Final beneficiaries: Stakeholders along sector value chains, including women and youth Beneficiaries and Partners also include: Main Government Ministries, Departments and public institutions The private sector Trade Support Institutions

Implementation arrangements EU – Bhutan Trade Support Implementation arrangements government counterpart: Gross National Happiness Commission (GNHC) Project partners: Ministry of Economic Affairs (MoEA) for output 1 Ministry of Agriculture and Forests (MoAF) for output 2 Agency for Promotion of Indigenous Crafts (APIC) for output 3 Partners from the civil society, public and private sector organizations: Bhutan Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Bhutan Association of Women Entrepreneurs, Handicraft Association of Bhutan, Tarayana Foundation, Royal University of Bhutan, National Statistical Bureau, Royal Textile Academy, Tourism Council of Bhutan, Bhutan Standards Bureau implementing agency: International Trade Centre (ITC) Project Office: National Project Coordinator located within the MoEA Project Steering Committee: Guidance for the efficient and effective implementation of the project

EU – Bhutan Trade Support Sustainability Integrated and market-led value chain development approach Supporting the implementation of Bhutan’s policy priority to diversify its exports Gender, youth and environment as cross-cutting issues Facilitate policy dialogue Strong institutional and capacity building focus

EU – Bhutan Trade Support Expected Result 1: Build the capacities of Bhutanese public and private institutions to inform trade, investment and regulatory policies, Address policy, regulatory and procedural impediments to business competitiveness along selected value chains, Promote investments into Bhutan, including in the selected value chains, Enhance access to trade and market information through the set-up of a single information service platform on trade-related matters for the private sector and producers, and Strengthen Bhutan’s Better Business Council with a view to promote informed trade policy Public-Private Dialogue.

EU – Bhutan Trade Support Expected Result 2: Produce, jointly with country partners, an horticulture value chain analysis and action plan for export diversification and value addition with special focus on women and youth, Design a horticulture market penetration strategy targeting international markets, Build export and quality management capacities of stakeholders, from farmers to exporters, and improve coordination along the horticulture value chain, Set-up a digital technology scheme for farmers to have access to real time price information, Develop a marketing and branding strategy for the Bhutan horticultural sector in collaboration with the “Brand Bhutan” initiative, Establish business linkages for Bhutanese producers and exporters with international buyers

EU – Bhutan Trade Support Expected Result 3: Formulate a handicraft textile products value chain analysis with special focus on women and youth and market potential in selected target markets, Improve product quality, supply capacity and innovative designs matching market trends and demand, Develop a sector-specific marketing and branding strategy and build capacities on marketing and branding for the Bhutan handicraft textile sector, in collaboration with the “Brand Bhutan” initiative, Establish business linkages between weavers, producers and export markets. Sales of Bhutanese products to tourists will further promote exports and increase demand for Bhutanese handicraft products.

For more information Mr. Kiran Subedi National Project Coordinator EU – Bhutan Trade Support For more information Mr. Kiran Subedi National Project Coordinator EU-Bhutan Trade Support International Trade Centre (ITC) Office at the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Thimphu, Bhutan Tel.: +975-1768 3103 Email: ksubedi@intracen.org Ms. Sylvie Bétemps Cochin Senior Trade Promotion Officer/Project Manager Office for Asia and the Pacific International Trade Centre (ITC) Geneva, Switzerland Tel.: +41-22 730 0111 Email: betemps@intracen.org