In a major push to stimulate private sector growth and create employment opportunities, Bhutan has launched its National Entrepreneurship Strategy 2026, a comprehensive roadmap aimed at making it easier to start and expand businesses across the country.
A central feature of the new strategy is a commitment to significantly streamline the business registration process. Authorities intend to reduce the time required to obtain a business licence to no more than three working days, a move expected to remove one of the key administrative hurdles faced by aspiring entrepreneurs.
The initiative comes amid concerns over the current state of Bhutan’s business landscape. Government data show that sole proprietorships account for nearly all enterprises in the country, while a substantial number of licensed businesses remain inactive. Officials believe these trends underscore the need for stronger support systems that can help businesses not only launch but also sustain long-term growth.
The strategy identifies six priority areas designed to strengthen the country’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. Among them is improving access to finance, an issue frequently cited by entrepreneurs as a major obstacle. To address this, the government plans to encourage alternative funding channels, including angel investment networks and venture capital financing, alongside traditional bank lending.
Another major focus is cultivating an entrepreneurial mindset among young people. Entrepreneurship-related programmes are expected to be introduced in the vast majority of schools and higher education institutions, while business support centres will receive additional resources to assist startups during their formative stages.
Efforts to expand market opportunities also form a key pillar of the strategy. Through initiatives such as Brand Bhutan, authorities aim to help local businesses access international markets and strengthen the global visibility of Bhutanese products and services. The strategy further encourages the adoption of artificial intelligence and research-based innovation to improve business productivity and competitiveness.
Speaking at the launch, Tashi Tenzin, Assistant Programme Officer with the Department of Employment and Entrepreneurship under the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Employment, said the strategy was developed to tackle longstanding structural challenges facing entrepreneurs.
According to him, businesses continue to encounter difficulties related to regulatory processes, financing, skills development, market access, support services, and the adoption of technology and innovation.
Tenzin highlighted the crucial role of the private sector in driving economic growth, noting that Bhutan’s long-term development vision calls for a significantly larger contribution from private enterprises to the national economy.
The reforms are also being viewed as a response to broader economic concerns. Youth unemployment remains above 20 per cent, while a growing number of Bhutanese have sought opportunities overseas in recent years. Policymakers hope that a more vibrant entrepreneurial environment will generate jobs, retain talent and strengthen domestic economic activity.
Implementation of the strategy will be overseen by the Department of Employment and Entrepreneurship, with annual reviews to assess progress. Strategic direction will be provided by a newly proposed National Entrepreneurship Council, which will coordinate efforts among government agencies and other stakeholders involved in delivering the programme.
Alongside the strategy, officials also launched the Startup Acceleration Programme Playbook, a practical guide intended to support future startup acceleration initiatives. The playbook is designed to help emerging Bhutanese enterprises move beyond their initial stages and scale into sustainable, high-growth businesses.
Government leaders expressed optimism that the combined reforms will lay the foundation for a more dynamic and resilient private sector, positioning entrepreneurship as a key driver of Bhutan’s future economic development.
