India is contributing Nu 1.98 billion during 2019-2023 to Bhutan’s multi-faceted digital transformation

Reiterating its commitment to the well-being and prosperity of the people of Bhutan, India has partnered with Thimphu on the Digital Drukyul- a flagship programme under Thimphu’s 12th Five Year Plan.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the digital transformation of countries and demonstrated that the present and the future of Government to Citizen Services, education, health and the economy will be increasingly digital/virtual,” a statement of the Indian Embassy in Thimphu said.

“In this context, India is proud to partner with the Royal Government of Bhutan on Digital Drukyul- a flagship programme under Bhutan’s 12th Five Year Plan,” it stated.

“The Digital Drukyul programme is in line with Bhutan’s developmental philosophy of Gross National Happiness and it aims to harness the power of information and communication technology to accelerate Bhutan’s digital transformation into a smart, connected and inclusive society,” the statement noted.

India is contributing Nu 1.98 billion during the 12th Five-Year Plan (2019-2023) to Bhutan’s multi-faceted digital transformation which would enhance good governance, promote socio-economic development and inclusion, foster ease of doing business and provide efficient and effective public services to the citizens of Bhutan.

Digital Drukyul comprises eight programs that include Electronic Patient Information System to digitise medical records, Digital Identity to enable the Government to deliver public services electronically and E-Business National Single Window to facilitate international trade and approval of business licenses by streamlining procedures.

The other programmes receiving India’s support under the flagship include Bhutan Integrated Taxation System for ease of paying taxes, Integrated Citizen Services for leveraging technology to provide inclusive citizen-centric services and Digital Schools for providing e-learning platforms and digital pedagogy training for teachers,

Enhancement of ICT Capability and Capacity for enhancing the capacity of the ICT sector to provide services and solutions and the Government Initiated Network which will connect 1000 government offices in the country have also been listed as programmes receiving New Delhi’s support.

India is providing the Royal Government with the financial resources for the implementation and execution of 6 critical projects.

The first of the 6 projects is the E-Business National Single Window being implemented by the Royal Bhutan’s Ministry of Economic Affairs and funded by India at a cost of Nu 280 million under Government of India’s Trade Facilitation Support.

The second is the Bhutan Integrated Taxation System, being implemented by the Ministry of Finance, is being funded under Government of India’s Trade Facilitation Support.

The project will radically improve tax administration and compliance in Bhutan, thereby enhancing collection of revenue by the Royal Government.

The third project is the Integrated Citizen Services, being implemented by Cabinet Secretariat is being funded under Government of India’s Project-Tied Assistance at a cost of Nu 150 million.

The fourth is a Digital School, being implemented by the Ministry of Education, is being funded under Government of India’s Project-Tied Assistance at a cost of Nu 66 million.

The fifth is Enhancement of ICT sector’s Capability and Capacity, being implemented by the Ministry of Information and Communication, is being funded under Government of India’s ProjectTied Assistance at a cost of Nu 110 million.

The sixth programme is a Government Initiated Network, being implemented across Ministries, and being funded under India’s Project-Tied Assistance at a cost of Nu 800 million.