𝐃𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐩𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐝 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐒𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐁𝐡𝐮𝐭𝐚𝐧’𝐬 𝐀𝐦𝐛𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐮𝐬 𝟏𝟑𝐭𝐡 𝐅𝐘𝐏

…𝑷𝒓𝒊𝒎𝒆 𝑴𝒊𝒏𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒆𝒓 𝒍𝒂𝒖𝒏𝒄𝒉𝒆𝒔 𝒕𝒉𝒆 13𝒕𝒉 𝑭𝒊𝒗𝒆 𝒀𝒆𝒂𝒓 𝑷𝒍𝒂𝒏, 𝒇𝒐𝒄𝒖𝒔𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒐𝒏 𝒔𝒖𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒊𝒏𝒂𝒃𝒍𝒆 𝒈𝒓𝒐𝒘𝒕𝒉, 𝒊𝒏𝒏𝒐𝒗𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏, 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒊𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒏𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒂𝒍 𝒄𝒐𝒍𝒍𝒂𝒃𝒐𝒓𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏.

By Rinzin Norbu

The 13th Five Year Plan was officially launched on July 18, 2024. Spanning from July 2024 to June 2029, this plan is strategically aligned with Bhutan’s long-term vision of becoming a High-Income GNH economy by 2034.
This comprehensive plan continues Bhutan’s legacy of balancing economic growth with environmental sustainability, social progress, and cultural preservation, with a renewed focus on the nation’s economic transformation to generate enhanced opportunities and security for the people. The long-term goal is for Bhutan to be a High-Income GNH Economy by 2034. The plan aims to increase Bhutan’s GDP to USD 5 billion and GDP per capita to above USD 6,174 by 2029.

During the launch of the 13th FYP, Sudhaklar Daliala, Indian Ambassador to Bhutan, said, “I take this opportunity to wish the Royal Government every success in the implementation of the Thirteenth Five-Year Plan. Our relationship with Bhutan is marked by unique cooperation and friendship. Our extraordinary partnership spans diverse areas, including education, economy, health, sports, space, data, and technology. Strong people-to-people connections, youth linkages, and our deep spiritual ties are the key drivers of this exemplary partnership.”

“Indeed, our expanding partnership is a testament to the vision and wisdom of Their Majesties and the successful leadership in India and Bhutan, who have nurtured our unique ties of friendship and cooperation over the years. The Government of India has been a privileged partner in Bhutan’s development through successive Five-Year Plans, starting from the very first plan in 1961. Through these plans, our development cooperation has resulted in the completion of several flagship infrastructure projects, benefiting the Bhutanese people and contributing to Bhutan’s overall economic development, as well as strengthening India-Bhutan friendship,” he added.

He further said, “As we move forward, India will continue to remain a steadfast and reliable development partner for Bhutan. The Thirteenth Five-Year Plan aligns with the vision of His Majesty and the priorities of the Royal Government. During the state visit of the Honourable Prime Minister of India to Bhutan earlier this year, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi announced India’s development support of 100 billion for the Thirteenth Five-Year Plan period. Doubling the quantum of development support reflects the strength of the India-Bhutan partnership and our commitment to further expanding it while addressing new opportunities and challenges.”

Yamada Tomoyuki, Chief Representative of JICA Bhutan Office, said in his speech, “I have heard that the result report and analysis of the comprehensive development plans will be completed by 2030. Projects that JICA has cooperated on in the past were referenced, and I am very pleased that we have been able to contribute to these remarkable plans.”

Tomoyuki said, “Last year, the government of Japan revised its country development cooperation policies to focus on health and industrial promotion, in addition to its existing assistance in agriculture and infrastructure. To realize this, Japan will also promote seven cooperation programs with the government, particularly focusing on agriculture, infrastructure, and health and medical care. These programs will also address industrial promotion, governance, environmental management, and disaster response.”

He assured, “We will continue to actively utilize digital technology and promote gender equality. Bhutan’s graduation from the Least Developed Country (LDC) status in December 2023 is a remarkable achievement, and I would like to congratulate Bhutan once again on this significant milestone.”

Carie Morrison, Country Director and Representative of the World Food Programme (WFP) to Bhutan, said, “It is a great honour and privilege to stand before you at the launch of the Royal Government of Bhutan’s 13th Five-Year Plan. This plan represents a significant milestone in Bhutan’s journey toward sustainable development and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It also reaffirms Bhutan’s commitment to the principles of Gross National Happiness and its aspiration to become a high-income country.”

Morrison added, “The Thirteenth Five-Year Plan is more than a roadmap for development; it is a robust tool for transparency and accountability. Designed to foster trust and collaboration between Bhutan and its development partners, the plan serves as a comprehensive framework that aligns national development goals with the principles of sustainability and resilience.”

She further added, “Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, there is a great synergy between the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework and the Thirteenth Five-Year Plan. Both frameworks stand together as dual pillars towards a peaceful and prosperous future.”

Shamit Chakravarti, Country Director, Bhutan Resident Mission, Asian Development Bank (ADB), also shared his statement, “You will all agree that much depends on the successful implementation of this plan. Unfortunately, the last two and a half years of the 12th FY Plan were significantly impacted by the pandemic. Hopefully, we will not face such calamities going forward. Under the Thirteenth Five-Year Plan, the goal is to transform Bhutan into a high-income country driven by innovation and sustainability.”

He said, “You are all aware of the ambitious targets laid out in this plan, and thus, there is a considerable amount of work that we, as development partners, need to undertake together. Moving forward, let me give you a broad overview of ADB’s development partnership with Bhutan. I am pleased to inform you that ADB has committed $1.2 billion in public sector loans to Bhutan. Our current portfolio in Bhutan includes thirteen loans and eight grants, amounting to a total of $353 million.”

Prime Minister Dasho Tshering Tobgay, said in his speech, “Today, we are launching our 13th FYP, which is of great importance. From the 1st FYP to the 12th FYP, all were equally significant and successful. The 1st FYP was initiated by our 3rd King, and under the guidance of our Fourth Druk Gyalpo, all plans were executed extremely well. Now, the 13th FYP is even more significant because it is a much larger plan than those in the past. Our main goal in this development is GDP growth, as a prosperous government implies prosperous people.”

“In the 21st century, our education system faces challenges that demand significant development and improvement. Despite technological and societal advancements, the quality of education seems to be declining. This requires a concentrated effort to enhance educational standards and ensure every individual receives a high-quality education,” he added.

He further said, “Simultaneously, there is widespread consensus on the importance of providing free medical care. Accessible healthcare is fundamental to societal wellbeing and economic productivity. It is crucial to prioritize the provision of reliable and efficient medical services to all citizens, regardless of their economic status or background.”

“As we adapt to changing times, the need for reliable and effective services becomes increasingly apparent. Our 13th Five-Year Plan reflects these priorities, aiming to comprehensively address these critical issues. By focusing on improving education and ensuring accessible healthcare, we aim to build a stronger and more resilient society.”
The strategic objectives of the 13th FYP are that, by 2029, Bhutan will: (1) Be a High-Income country driven by innovation and sustainability (with a GDP of USD 5 billion), (2) Have a healthy and productive society founded on equitable and high-quality health, education, and social protection; (3) Safeguard and strengthen its sovereignty, territorial integrity, security, unity, well-being, resilience, and economic prosperity; and (4) Have a transformed and trusted governance ecosystem that drives accelerated economic growth and improves people’s lives.

In pursuit of these, the total outlay for the 13th FYP is projected at Nu. 512,283 million, a 63 percent increase from the 12th FYP. The objectives will be achieved through eight national programs, which will be executed through collaborative efforts among Central Agencies, local governments (LGs), and relevant partners, ensuring coherence in delivering common and crosscutting goals.

Commanded by the Cabinet Secretariat under the directives of the government, the 13th FYP has been formulated through close coordination among the four clusters of government and local governments, and consultation with development partners, the private sector, political parties, parliamentarians, civil society organizations, and other relevant stakeholders since December 2022.