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Druk Tshongrig Gatoen | Inspire . Connect . Collaborate
Tshongrig refers to 'intelligent business' and entails a culture of business and entrepreneurship infused with intelligent production and consumption. The global community in general, with its aim for Sustainable Development Goals, and Bhutan in particular, with its pursuit of Gross National Happiness, is earnestly calling for the promotion of intelligent businesses.
Started in 2018, the Druk Tshongrig Gatoen (DTG) is the Bhutan's first festival to promote and celebrate social entrepreneurship, intelligent business and celebrate young Bhutanese entrepreneurs who had the courage to dream big and start their entrepreneurial journey. In addition, the festival brings together entrepreneurship-support organizations from the government stakeholders, civil society organizations, development partners, independent agencies, private companies and most importantly the Bhutanese entrepreneurs to spread the awareness on importance of entrepreneurship for Bhutan for the young minds.
From panel discussions on important issues and opportunities for entrepreneurship in Bhutan to small half-day events across all colleges and technical training institutes in the country, from launch of exciting new initiatives during the weekend to benefit young entrepreneurs to lively 'Sales Pitch' at the market fair in Thimphu, from recognizing the extraordinary achievements of individual entrepreneurs to celebrating all entrepreneurs in Bhutan - the festival also presents a platform for everyone to get inspired, make new connections and foster a culture of collaboration.
Each year, the DTG is led by a team of individuals representing a relevant stakeholders from all sectors that consists of entrepreneurship-support organizations in Bhutan - including the government ministries, civil society organization, development partners, private agencies and independent bodies - that is wholly dedicated to create a platform that will foster collaboration and partnership among the stakeholders.
This year the event is led by the Bhutan Association of Entrepreneur (BAEyul) with support from Ministry of Labour and Human Resources (MoLHR), UNDP Bhutan, Thimphu Tech Park, iHub, iBEST Institute, Druk Host, Institute for Learning Solutions, the Green Road and the Loden Foundation.
Building on to the success of these events, the DTG aims to compliment such efforts through the following objectives:
INSPIRE
To introduce the concept of entrepreneurship to young people outside of Thimphu in colleges and technical training institutes and inspire them to consider entrepreneurship as a career choice after graduation. This would be done through established entrepreneurs sharing their entrepreneurial journey that is fun, informative and encouraging.
CONNECT
To provide opportunities for entrepreneurs and entrepreneur-support organizations to connect with others and strengthen entrepreneurship eco-system. A select group of entrepreneurs will stand a chance to promote their products at a market fair and engage with relevant stakeholders.
COLLABORATE
To reinforce linkages for deeper collaboration through the year among entrepreneur-support organizations - including government ministries, civil society organizations, development partners, private companies and independent bodies - contributing to the growth of overall entrepreneurship eco-system in Bhutan.
Thimphu Clock Tower | OPENING CEREMONY
The market fair at the Thimphu Clock tower presents an excellent location for the entrepreneurs to display and promote their Made In Bhutan products not only in at their stalls but also in front of the public. In addition to the stalls displaying local products and services, this year the DTG has invited young local music bands and traditional Bhutanese musicians to do thematic performance to attract the crowd to the location.
The opening ceremony will start from 2pm onwards with traditional Marchang ceremony followed by remarks from various individuals. The ceremony will be attended by heads of all relevant organizations among other guests and dignitaries.
Following the opening of the market fair and in between the live band performances, selected entrepreneurs will be given 5 minutes to market their products and services in a ‘Sales Pitch’ competition. To further encourage the entrepreneurs to present their products, the 5-minutes presentation will be evaluated by a panel of judges and will stand a chance to win the Best Sales Pitch award.
The opening ceremony ends with the final sales pitch by the selected entrepreneurs.
01:00 pm| LIVE BAND PERFORMANCE
02:00 pm | ARRIVAL OF GUESTS
All guests will be seated at the traditional tents in front of the clock tower
02:15 pm | ARRIVAL OF CHIEF GUEST
His Excellency Lyonpo Loknath Sharma, Minister for Economic Affairs
02:20 pm | MARCHANG CEREMONY
An auspicious opening of the programme and seeking blessings for a successful event
02:30 pm | TASHI GYEPA PRAYER
An auspicious prayer recited at the beginning of any programme or journey
02:40 pm | OPENING BY EMCEE
Pema Choden Tenzin of Yeewong Magazine and Farmer Sangay
02:45 pm | WELCOME REMARKS BY BHUTAN ASSOCIATION FOR ENTREPRENEURS (BAEyul)
Mr. Rikesh Gurung, President of BAEyul and the founder of Green Roads
02:50 pm| PREVIEW OF DTG 2019 VIDEO
A short preview of a video that presents an overview of the festival. Produced by Zoomout Productions
03:00 pm | OVERVIEW OF DTG 2019 BY AN ENTREPRENEUR
Mr. Karma Yonten, founder of Greener Way, presents the objectives of DTG 2019 on behalf of the organizing team
03:10 |ADDRESS BY THE CHIEF GUEST
His Excellency Lyonchhen (Dr) Lotay Tshering, the Prime Minister of Bhutan
LIVE BAND
List of music artists to be updated soon…
03:20 pm | LAUNCH OF CLOCK TOWER ENTREPRENEURS FAIR
The Chief Guest will launch the entrepreneurs fair and visit the stalls accompanied by the guests
04:00 pm | ENTREPRENEURS SALES PITCH
With the Chief Guest and the guests seated in the traditional tents, two entrepreneurs – Sangay Tshering of Green E-Solution and Kesang Om of the Institute of Learning Solutions – will introduce the ‘Sales Pitch.’
04:10 pm | Sales Pitch 1
Entrepreneur doing the sales pitch to be announced after completion of selection…
04:15 pm | Sales Pitch 2
Entrepreneur doing the sales pitch to be announced after completion of selection…
4:20 pm | Sales Pitch 3
Entrepreneur doing the sales pitch to be announced after completion of selection…
4:25 pm | Sales Pitch 4
Entrepreneur doing the sales pitch to be announced after completion of selection…
4:35 pm | Sales Pitch 5
Entrepreneur doing the sales pitch to be announced after completion of selection…
Judges evaluate the Sales Pitch marks
05:00 pm | Award prize for the best Sales Pitch by the Chief Guest
5:10 pm | VOTE OF THANKS BY AN ENTREPRENEUR
The entrepreneur to give vote of thanks will be announced soon…
LIVE BAND WILL PLAY TILL 7 PM
Any entrepreneur with a Made in Bhutan product are welcome to speak about their products or services in front of the crowd in between the performance by music bands and solo artists.
Please contact Yeshi Wangchuk of Loden Foundation at 17703960 if you wish to pitch you product
In collaboration with Junction Book Store and Rubrup, free audio books and e-books on entrepreneurship and self help will be distributed from the Junction Book Store.
Please visit the book shop between 5-7 pm with a flash drive. Contact Ugyen of Rubrup at 17932336
END OF DAY 1
Thimphu Clock Tower | ENTREPRENEURS FAIR
The entrepreneurs fair at the clock tower continues…
Any entrepreneur with a Made in Bhutan product are welcome to speak about their products or services in front of the crowd in between the performance by music bands and solo artists.
Please contact Yeshi Wangchuk of Loden Foundation at 17703960 if you wish to pitch you product
Thimphu | PARTNER EVENTS
Workshop on Fundamentals of Intellectual Property (IP) Rights organized by iHub Bhutan and United States Patent and Trademark Office in collaboration with DTG.
Venue: Le Meriden, Thimphu
Contact Tashi Wangdi of iHub at 77312694
Thimphu | PARTNER EVENTS
In conversation with the Bhutanese entrepreneurs – A Radio Talk show on Entrepreneurship in Bhutan in collaboration with Radio Valley hosted by Kunga Dorji (Supe)
Time: 4:30 pm – 5:30 pm
Speakers:
Thimphu | PARTNER EVENTS
Systems Mapping of Youth Unemployment in Bhutan led by the UNDP
A brief background: Todays complex challenges cannot be solved using conventional tools and methods. 21st century challenges require new ways of thinking and approach to development. Globally 60 accelerator labs serving 78 countries have been initiated to find new radical approaches that fit the complexity of current development challenges. To network with these 60 lab, UNDP Bhutan has initiated the process of integrating these functions of lab by already identifying critical services it can offer the Royal Government of Bhutan and youth unemployment is the first challenge it has identified as a self-starter lab.
Youth unemployment in Bhutan is a 21st century complex challenge given their interdependent nature, not limiting to one sector and the changing dynamics in the factors causing it. Efforts such as building an entrepreneurship culture, promoting TVET, changing mindsets of youths towards blue collar jobs have been put in place, yet a comprehensive impact of these efforts are not visible considering the complex nature of the issue at hand.
To take a more holistic approach towards understanding the overall system within the youth unemployment issue, a systems mapping will be conducted engaging the local communities in identifying local solutions.
Druk Tshongrig Gatoen an event embracing and celebrating the entrepreneurs is a perfect platform to catalyze and co-create our efforts towards addressing this complex challenge.
A two day program will be held in Thimphu on 18 and 19 October to engage with the local innovators and other relevant stakeholders to gather their insights, views and revalidate the existing hypothesis related to youth unemployment in Bhutan. Different tools and methodologies will be adopted to ensure that ‘no one is left behind’ and no voices left unheard.
Contact Tshering Wangmo of UNDP at 17164696
In collaboration with Junction Book Store and Rubrup, free audio books and e-books on entrepreneurship and self help will be distributed from the Junction Book Store.
Please visit the book shop between 5-7 pm with a flash drive. Contact Ugyen of Rubrup at 17932336
END OF DAY 2
In order to take the DTG outside of Thimphu and reach more young people, a total of 17 small events will be held across the country in colleges and technical training institutes. This year, three main events will be held at the following colleges.
02:00 pm | ARRIVAL OF GUESTS All guests – local leaders, parents and business community – will be seated at the college auditorium
02:30 pm | ARRIVAL OF CHIEF GUEST Dasho Minjur Dorji, Dzongdag, Chhukha Dzongkhag Adminsitration
02:35 pm |EMCEE OPENS THE EVENT Tej Bdr Galley, InnoPreneur Club Coordinator and a student entrepreneur
02:45 pm | PREVIEW DTG VIDEO A short preview of a video that presents an overview of the festival
02:55 pm | WELCOME REMARKS BY TEAM LEADER Sonam Dorji, the Vice President of BAEyul and the founder of Mawongpa Water Solutions, will make the opening speech.
02:55 pm | ENTREPRENEUR STORIES 1. Ugyen Dorji, the Founder of Druk Waste Management 2. Puran Rai, the Founder of On My Side(OMS) 3. Dorji Dema, the Founder of Druk Sha Veggie 4. Bikash Gurung, the Co-Founder of Himalayan Food
04:10 pm| ENTREPRENEURSHIP ECO-SYSTEM PRESENTATION BY AN ENTREPRENEUR Sonam Dorji, the Vice President of BAEyul and the founder of Mawongpa Water Solutions, will give a presentation on various entrepreneur support organisations and the support they render for young people.
4:20 pm | VOTE OF THANKS Sonam Saru, InnoPreneur Club Coordinator
02:00 pm | ARRIVAL OF GUESTS All guests – local leaders, parents and business community – will be seated at the college auditorium
02:30 pm | ARRIVAL OF CHIEF GUEST To be announced…
02:35 pm |EMCEE OPENS THE EVENT Karma Jamtsho, a student entrepreneur and the Founder of Copycat at CNR
02:45 pm | PREVIEW DTG VIDEO A short preview of a video that presents an overview of the festival
02:55 pm | WELCOME REMARKS BY TEAM LEADER Rinchen Dorji, the IT/Communications Officer of Loden Foundation, will make the opening speech.
02:55 pm | ENTREPRENEUR STORIES 1. Farmer Sangay, the Educated farmer 2. Jigme Yoedzer Thinley, the Founder/CEO of DrukRide 3. Geeta Rai, the Founder/CEO of Ratna Samphel Fabric & Paper Unit 4. Peljor Dorji, the Founder/CEO of Green Pigment Arts 5. Sonam Tsheirng, the Founder/CEO of Pelbar Soap
04:10 pm| ENTREPRENEURSHIP ECO-SYSTEM PRESENTATION BY AN ENTREPRENEUR Rinchen Dorji, the IT/Communications Officer of Loden Foundation, will make the opening speech, will give a presentation on various entrepreneur support organisations and the support they render for young people.
4:20 pm | VOTE OF THANKS Jigme Rinzin, a student entrepreneur and the Founder of CNR vegetable Supply funded through Loden SEED programme
02:00 pm | ARRIVAL OF GUESTS All guests – local leaders, parents and business community – will be seated at the college auditorium
02:30 pm | ARRIVAL OF CHIEF GUEST To be announced…
02:35 pm |EMCEE OPENS THE EVENT Sonam Peldon (Student)
02:45 pm | PREVIEW DTG VIDEO A short preview of a video that presents an overview of the festival
02:55 pm | WELCOME REMARKS BY TEAM LEADER Sonam Choden, the Manager at Thimphu Tech Park, will make the opening speech.
02:55 pm | ENTREPRENEUR STORIES 1. Denkar, the Travel/Vlogger- Denkar’s Getaway 2. Yonten Drukpa, the owner of Yeti Furniture 3. Tashi Dhendup, the Founder of Laykha Dairy Delight 4. Dorji Gyelthsen, the Founder of Namgay Artisanal Brewary
04:10 pm| ENTREPRENEURSHIP ECO-SYSTEM PRESENTATION BY AN ENTREPRENEUR Choden, the Manager at Thimphu Tech Park, will give a presentation on various entrepreneur support organisations and the support they render for young people.
4:20 pm | VOTE OF THANKS Sonam Dorji, a student entrepreneur and the Founder of CNR Hair Dot Com
The entrepreneurs fair at the clock tower continues…
Royal University of Bhutan | CLOSING CEREMONY
A concept note on the panel discussion led by the entrepreneurs will be updated soon…
02:00 pm | ARRIVAL OF GUESTS
All guests seated at the Royal University of Bhutan auditorium hall
02:15 pm | ARRIVAL OF CHIEF GUEST
His Excellency Lyonpo Loknath Sharma, Ministry of Economic Affairs
02:20 pm |OPENING BY EMCEE
Emcee by Kesang Om (Member of BAEyul and Founder of Institute for Learning solutions ) and Dawa Tshering (Founder of Bhutan Essence)
02:25 pm | RECAP VIDEO
A short video recap highlighting the activities over the past 3 days
02:35 pm | WELCOME REMARKS BY DTG CORE TEAM
02:40 pm | KEYNOTE SPEECH
To be announced…
02:50 pm | PRESENTATION 1
The presentation topic by an entrepreneur to be updated soon…
03:00 pm| PRESENTATION 2
The presentation topic by an entrepreneur to be updated soon…
3:15 pm | PANEL DISCUSSION
The list of panelist and the theme for discussion will be updated soon…
4:00 pm | MUSIC PERFORMANCE
The artists to perform will be updated soon…
4:15 pm | AWARD CEREMONY
The list of awards will be updated soon…
5:00 pm | REMARKS BY THE CHIEF GUEST
His Excellency Lyonpo Loknath Sharma, Ministry of Economic Affairs
5:20 pm | VOTE OF THANKS
Vote of Thanks by Loden Foundation
6:00 pm | NETWORKING WITH DINNER
Junction Book Store | PARTNER EVENTS
In collaboration with Junction Book Store and Rubrup, free audio books and e-books on entrepreneurship and self help will be distributed from the Junction Book Store.
Please visit the book shop between 5-7 pm with a flash drive. Contact Ugyen of Rubrup at 17932336
END OF DAY 4
Various event in 13 other colleges and technical training institutes
At the College of Language and Culture Studies in Trongsa, Druk Tshongrig Gatoen will be celebrated on 19 October. In order to encourage and promote entrepreneurship among the students, the final year students of the college is organizing a market fair where students will prepare and sell food items from local products. The market fair will be attended by the college students as well as by the local leaders and the members of the community.
Programme
8:00AM: Entrepreneurial students gathering
8:45AM: General students gathering
8:45AM: Arrival of Judges
9:00AM: Arrival of Chief Guest
9:15AM: Welcome speech by Coordinator
9:40AM: Opening ceremony by Chief Guest
10:00AM: Visiting of stalls
4:00PM Ends of Program
Vote of thanks by Lhaden (Entrepreneur)
9:00AM: Reception of the Chief Guest (Dasho Zimpoen Wom from HRH the Gyaltshab Office)
9:05AM: Welcome address and highlight of the event by student entrepreneurship club coordinator.
10:00AM: Sharing of Entrepreneurial journey by practicing local entrepreneurs (Mountain Hazelnut, Lingmethang)
10:30AM: Tea break
11:00AM: Experience sharing by 2 groups of on-campus student entrepreneurs and marketing their products
11:20AM: Business idea pitching. Cash prize of Nu.3000/- to be awarded to best business idea and Nu.2000/- to 2nd best business idea
1:00pm: Vote of Thanks by Chief Councillor/Dy. Chief Councillor
Lunch for guests and speakers in College canteen. Students to go to student mess
At the Sherubtse College in Trashigang, Druk Tshongrig Gatoen will be celebrated on 19 October. In order to encourage and promote entrepreneurship among the students, the college is organizing a market fair where students will prepare and sell food items from local products. The market fair will be attended by the college students as well as by the local leaders and members of the community.
Programme
8:30AM Arrival of Students and Faculties
9:00AM Arrival of the Chief Guest
9:10AM Marchang Ceremony
9:30AM Welcome Note by the President, Tshering Wangdi
9:45AM Welcome Dance by Cultural Group
9:50AM Speech by the Chief Guest
10:00AM Cultural Program
10:15AM Talk by Entrepreneurs
11:00AM Vote of Thanks
OPEN FOR THE FAIR!
Programme
Debate on “Is Entrepreneurship the solution to Bhutan’s youth unemployment problem?
ཚོང་རིག་གནས་སྐབས་འདི་གིས་ འབྲུག་གི་ན་གཞོན་ཚུ་གཡོག་མ་ཐོབ་པའི་དཀའ་ངལ་སེལ་བའི་ཐབས་ལམ་ཅིག་ཨིན་ན?”
OPEN FOR THE FAIR!
At the Royal Thimphu College in Thimphu, Druk Tshongrig Gatoen will be celebrated on 17 and 18 October. The business club of the college is organizing a business idea competition and the top three ideas will stand a chance to win funding support from Loden Foundation through the Loden SEED programme. The students will also take part in DTG event at the clock tower and a market fair at the college will be led by the members of the business club.
Programme
October 17 – First Day
2 to 2:30PM: Students registration
2:35PM: Business idea pitching & Competition for Loden SEED Funding
3:30PM: Announce the Result/Awards/Prizes
After that refreshment and visit the entrepreneurship festival at clock tower, Thimphu
October 18 – Second Day
9:00AM -4PM: Students Entrepreneurs Bazar/fair open.
At the College of Science and Technology, Chhukha, Druk Tshongrig Gatoen will be celebrated on 19 October. The college is inviting graduates from the college who have become entrepreneurs to visit the college, share their entrepreneurial stories and interact with the current students to further encourage entrepreneurship among students.
Programme
9:00 am – 9:15 am: Arrival and Registration of Students
9:15am – 9:30 am: Introduction of the program
9:30am – 10:30am: Talk by local entrepreneur
10:30- 11:00am: Question and Answer Session
11:00am – 11:30am: End of the Programme
Programme
9:00 – 9:30AM: Gathering at MP hall
9:30 – 9:35AM: Welcome speech
9:35 – 9:40AM: Speech on importance of entrepreneurship
9:40 – 9:50AM: Speech from a guest
9:40 – 10:00AM : Refreshment
10:00 – 10: 05AM: Opening of mini market
10:05 – 11:20AM : Marketing
11:20 – 11:40AM: Closing and collecting the data.
11:40 – 11:50AM: Declare the result and award the prize
11:50 – 11:55 AM: Vote of thanks
11:55 – 12:00 Feedback collection
Lunch
At the Technical Training Institute in Khuruthang, Punakha, Druk Tshongrig Gatoen will be celebrated on 19 October. There is an entrepreneurs talk series by local entrepreneurs and a Q&A session with the trainees. In addition to the entrepreneurs talk, there is also a wall chart art competition ‘Inspire, Connect and Collaborate’ with attractive prizes for the winners.
Programme
10:00 -10:05 AM: Welcome speech
10:05 -11:00 AM: Talk on ‘becoming an entrepreneur’ by Dubjed Pelzang
11:00 – 11:15AM: Question and Answer session
11:15 – 11:45AM: Wall chart presentation and evaluation
11:45 -12:00PM: Prize awarding
12:00 – 12:05: Word of thanks
12:05- 12:30: Tea and snacks
At the Technical Training Institute in Samthang, Wangdue Phodrang, Druk Tshongrig Gatoen will be celebrated on 14 October. The institute is organizing a business idea competition among the trainees with attractive prizes.
Programme
9:00AM :Opening by Dophu
9:15 – 9:30AM :Remarks by Principal
9:30 – 9:40 AM: Remark on DTG by Rada Wangmo
9:40 – 12:00 AM: Business idea pitching & Competition within the trainees
12:00 AM: Award of Cash prizes
1:00 PM Refreshment
Programme
Date 7/10/2019 :- Announcement on the upcoming painting competition in the morning assembly
Date 11/10/2019 :- Assessment for the top 10 sketch
Date 12/10/2019 – Date 16/10/2019 :- Working on the paintings
Date 17/10/2019: – Assessment for the best painting
Date 18/10/2019:- On the assembly ground
11:00 am: Gathering of staff and students on the assembly ground
11:05 am: Arrival of Guest speaker/ guest (Entrepreneur from the Zorig background)
11:10 am: Welcome speech by the focal person
11:20 am: Speech on importance of Entrepreneurs by Principal/Vice Principal
11:30 am: Awarding of prizes to the top three painters
11:40 am: Speech by guest of honor
11:50 am: Vote of thanks by the students representative
At the Technical Training Institute in Dekiling, Gelephu, Druk Tshongrig Gatoen will be celebrated on 19 October. The institute is organizing an entrepreneurs series talk by local entrepreneurs and also a market fair.
Programme
8:30AM: Gathering of trainees at MP Hall
8:45AM: Arrival of guest
9:00AM: Arrival of Chief Guest
9:10AM: Welcome speech by entrepreneur lead trainer
9:30AM: Program briefing by Program coordinator
10:00AM: Talk on Entrepreneurship by Local Entrepreneur
10:20AM: Tea Break
10:30AM: Chief Guest & Guest visit to Business Cabin
12:45PM: Data collection
1:00PM: Declare the result and award prizes
1:30: Lunch with trainees.
At the Technical Training Institute in Chumey, Bumthang, Druk Tshongrig Gatoen will be celebrated on 19 October. The institute is organizing an entrepreneurs series talk by local entrepreneurs.
Programme
9:30 Am: Arrival of Guest
9:30am – 9:45 am: Welcome Speech by Principal
9:45am – 10:15am: Talk by Naku Dorji
10:15am – 10:45am: Talk by Ugyen Dorji (UDee)
10:45am – 11:15am: Talk by Chogyal Lhamo
11:15- 11:45am: Question and Answer Session
11:00am – 11:30am: End of the Programme
At the Technical Training Institute in Thimphu, Druk Tshongrig Gatoen was celebrated on 20 September. The institute is organized a debate on the theme ‘The Importance of Tshongrig.’
Programme
2:15 PM: Arrival of Guest
2:30PM: Welcome Remarks, Tandin Penjor, Team leader
2:40 pm: Introduction on debate, Kinley Tshering, member
2:45pm: Introducing participant, Tandin Penjor ,team leader
2:55pm: Introducing Judge, Kinley Tshering, member
3;00pm: Start the debate Participant
3:05pm: Announcing the best speaker and prize distribution, Kinley Tshering, and Tandin Penjor
3:55pm: Vote of Thanks Padam , member
4:10PM: Key note on debate Principal
4:15pm Master of Ceremonies, Tandin Penjor and Kinley Tshering