1. EU – Bhutan Trade Support
Export diversification for economic growth and poverty reduction
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2. 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 & 12th Five Year Plan (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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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.

10. 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

11. 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.

12. 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.:
Ms. Sylvie Bétemps Cochin
Senior Trade Promotion Officer/Project Manager
Office for Asia and the Pacific
International Trade Centre (ITC)
Geneva, Switzerland
Tel.: