The Bhutanese Leading the way.
In a significant move towards modernizing its infrastructure and governance, Bhutan has unveiled its 13th FYP, placing a strong emphasis on digital transformation and robust governance. Led by the GovTech Agency, this initiative aims to enhance the country’s digital infrastructure while bolstering cybersecurity measures, with a substantial budget allocation of Nu 10 billion.
The Digital Transformation Program under the 13th FYP focuses on fortifying country’s digital infrastructure. A cornerstone of this effort is the development of a comprehensive National Cybersecurity Strategy, designed to protect critical information infrastructures and cultivate a robust cybersecurity culture. This strategy will be supported by new legal and regulatory frameworks, alongside initiatives to build cybersecurity capabilities, and implement advanced standards and technologies.
Recognizing the pivotal role of good governance in sustainable development, Bhutan’s 13th FYP aims to transform the public sector into a more dynamic and results-oriented entity. This transformation is seen as essential for achieving the country’s goal of becoming a high-income Gross National Happiness (GNH) economy.
Currently, Bhutan faces challenges with policy overlaps and accumulation, necessitating a streamlined approach to policy formulation and implementation. The current data ecosystem needs enhancement to meet the growing demand for high-quality, timely statistics crucial for decision-making and policy formulation.
The plan identifies low tech maturity and weak cybersecurity as critical issues. Efforts will be made to improve digital literacy, strengthen the legal framework, and enhance cybersecurity readiness.
Targets include achieving 99.9% uptime for payment gateways by 2029 and improving the GovTech Maturity Index to a “Very High” level.
This transformative journey, the 13th FYP represents a strategic shift towards leveraging technology for governance and economic growth.
