DAWA ZANGMO| Thimphu
The Bhutan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) convened the 5th Private Sector Press Conference with the aim of strengthening information sharing between the business community and the media. The conference provided updates on key developments affecting the private sector, particularly efforts to revive structured public private dialogue and address long-standing business related challenges.
During the session, BCCI highlighted the importance of restoring institutional platforms that facilitate regular engagement between the government and the private sector. Such platforms, the chamber noted, are essential for addressing regulatory, policy, and operational issues faced by businesses and for ensuring that private sector perspectives are reflected in national decision-making processes.
BCCI President Tandy Wangchuk recalled that the Public Sector Development Forum, earlier known as the Private Sector Development Committee, became inactive during the tenure of the third government due to disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. He said the absence of this formal dialogue mechanism had limited structured engagement on private sector concerns over recent years.
“Given the need to re-establish a platform for sustained dialogue with the private sector, the chamber submitted a proposal to the Prime Minister to revive the forum,” BCCI President Tandy Wangchuk said. “Following a review by the Ministry of Industry and Commerce and consultations informed by experiences from previous forums, the proposal has now been submitted to the Cabinet. Once approved, it is expected to play an important role in resolving key issues affecting the private sector.”
He noted that reviving the forum would help restore a coordinated approach to addressing business concerns and improve communication between policymakers and industry representatives. According Tandy Wangchuk, the proposed platform is intended to support timely identification of challenges faced by businesses and facilitate practical solutions through collective discussion and policy coordination.
The conference also focused on the reactivation of the Private Sector Development Committee (PSDC), which previously served as a central mechanism for public–private engagement, with BCCI acting as its secretariat. The committee had functioned as a key forum for discussing private sector policy issues, regulatory reforms, and economic priorities before becoming dormant.
BCCI General Secretary Chandra Bdr Chhetri said that PSDC is set to be reactivated under the current government, reflecting renewed emphasis on strengthening collaboration between the public and private sectors. He explained that while the committee’s basic structure and terms of reference will remain largely unchanged, its scope of work will expand to address emerging and more complex economic and policy challenges.
“The revived committee will respond to evolving private sector needs and align its focus with the priorities of the current five-year development plan,” General Secretary said. “As the economic environment continues to change, the issues faced by businesses have become more complex and require deeper engagement and coordinated responses.”
He acknowledged that the work of the committee may become more demanding due to the scale and nature of current economic challenges. However, he expressed confidence that the balanced representation of government agencies and private sector stakeholders would enable the forum to function effectively.
“Despite the increased complexity of the issues, the informed composition of the committee will ensure it continues to support meaningful dialogue, respond to private sector concerns, and contribute to overall economic growth,” he added.
The 5th Private Sector Press Conference also served as an opportunity for BCCI to reaffirm its role as the primary representative of the business community.
BCCI President emphasized that structured dialogue platforms such as the PSDC are critical for fostering mutual understanding, improving policy coordination, and creating a more enabling environment for private sector development.
The President noted that sustained public private engagement is particularly important at a time when businesses are navigating regulatory reforms, economic transitions, and changing development priorities. He stated that effective dialogue mechanisms allow private sector stakeholders to share ground-level insights, provide feedback on policy implementation, and collaborate with government institutions to address challenges in a timely manner.
The conference underscored the chamber’s ongoing efforts to advocate for private sector interests while supporting national development objectives. BCCI reiterated that reviving institutional forums for dialogue would not only strengthen policy responsiveness but also enhance trust and cooperation between the government and the business community.
The conference concluded with BCCI reiterating its commitment to working closely with the government and other stakeholders to address private sector challenges. By restoring structured dialogue platforms and strengthening communication channels, the chamber aims to contribute to a more responsive policy environment that supports business growth, employment generation, and national economic progress.
