Bhutan and ADB | Asian Development Bank

Bhutan and ADB

In the Spotlight

  • Training Bhutan's Youth to Join the Workforce of the Future

    As Bhutan scales up efforts to enhance its vocational education sector, ADB is providing support to upgrading the Khuruthang Technical Training Institute in Western Bhutan. 

  • Building the Bhutan-ADB Partnership

    ADB Country Director Kanokpan Lao-Araya explains how ADB works with Bhutan to support its development and its unique goal of gross national happiness.

  • Rebuilding Schools in Eastern Bhutan

    After the 2009 earthquake in eastern Bhutan, in partnership with the Japan Fund for Poverty Reduction and ADB the government rebuilt four schools, which now provide earthquake resilient classrooms for more than 700 children.

  • ADB-Bhutan Partnership Strategy

    ADB's Bhutan country operations business plan 2017-2019 recommends lending to support green energy; transport connectivity; social sector development; urban infrastructure; and agriculture, natural resources, and rural development. 

The Kingdom of Bhutan is a landlocked country that banks on the generation of hydropower to boost its economy. Hydropower contributes about a fifth of the gross domestic product.

Bhutan has achieved exceptional economic growth over the past 3 decades. Significant achievements in social development have also been made in recent years, with the number of poor approximately halved between 2007 and 2012. However, the challenge remains for Bhutan to expand its economic base and make its growth more inclusive, especially for unemployed youth and women.

Under the country partnership strategy, 2014-2018, ADB assists the government in achieving self-reliance and inclusive and green socioeconomic development, as well as enhance cooperation with its neighbors.

Bhutan is a member of the South Asia Subregional Economic Cooperation (SASEC) program.

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