Bhutan’s aspirations for digital transformation took centre stage during a panel discussion on the theme, “Driving Bhutan’s Digital Future: The Role of Private Sector and Gelephu Mindfulness City (GMC) in National Growth and Innovation”, held in Thimphu, on December 27.
The event, hosted by DrukSmart Private Limited to commemorate its seventh foundation day, underscored the pivotal role of the private sector in fostering innovation and economic growth, aligning with the vision of GMC.
Industry leaders explored how Bhutan’s private IT sector can drive innovation, artificial intelligence (AI), and sustainable growth, positioning the country in the global digital economy.
The panel featured DrukSmart’s chairperson and co-founder, Avinash Sanap; Kinley Tshering, chief product officer of Thimphu TechPark Limited; Phub Gyeltshen, chairman of the Information Technology Association of Bhutan (ITAB); and Kinley Wangchuk, founder and CEO of Azha Pasa.
Avinash Sanap emphasised the need for companies to look beyond domestic projects, urging them to pursue international markets. “While local projects circulate money within Bhutan, they do little to grow the economy. To truly progress, private firms must attract foreign revenue, which will significantly boost the nation’s economic standing. This is what we mean by ‘Local to Global’,” he said.
Echoing this sentiment, Pema Tshering called for greater collaboration among private IT companies to create quality jobs, retain talented professionals, and generate foreign revenue. He stressed that such efforts are crucial for Bhutan’s transformation into a competitive global player in the digital economy.
Phub Gyeltshen underscored the importance of open dialogue in fostering innovation. “Innovation stems from discussion,” he said, calling on the private sector to lead the charge in transforming Bhutan’s economy into a USD 10 billion powerhouse over the next decade.
The panel discussion also explored the role of GMC in integrating Bhutan’s cultural values with sustainable development. The GMC initiative seeks to foster innovation while promoting revenue generation through positive, sustainable measures.
The panelists called for private companies to align their vision with national goals, including His Majesty’s vision for the GMC initiative.
The panellists addressed the need for a mindset shift among Bhutanese professionals.
“Bhutanese have the knowledge and capability but often lack confidence,” said Avinash Sanap. “We cannot rely solely on the government or external organisations. Every individual must contribute.”
DrukSmart Private Limited is a company that provides IT-enabled services in Bhutan, providing innovative enterprise solutions and digital transformation. As a top technology consultant, they specialise in SAP, open-source ERP systems, and advanced web and mobile applications.
Over the past seven years, the company has handled over 100 orders from 33 clients across Bhutan, India, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia, generating sales exceeding BTN 500 million.
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You can read the original article here: Driving Bhutan’s Digital Future: From Local to Global.
