Topgyal Dorji talks to Kuensel
28 April, 2009 – The new president of the Bhutan chamber of commerce and industry (BCCI), Topgyal Dorji (of the Tashi group of companies), formally took over his office yesterday in Thimphu. The prime minister, and other ministers, offered khadhar.
How do you plan to take BCCI ahead?
My first task is to improve BCCI’s image and make the private sector realise that the chamber is there for them. We’re discussing several priorities. The most important is the economic policy.
We’ll make sure that it will benefit both private and public sectors. We’ll make sure that privatisation does take place.
How can the private sector and government work together?
The private sector must grow with the help of the government. The government must realise that the private sector has huge potential to enhance the revenue of the country. It should be a little more open towards the private sector. It’s important to understand each other and to see that both are mutually benefited.
Is it possible for the private sector to look beyond profit?
Business is business. Companies all work towards profit, without which no company will survive. The government should know that all business is there to make profit, otherwise why do business? Without profit, the economy cannot grow, so profit is important. But, equally important is that the business sector gives back to the country, which has provided the opportunity to do business.
Do you agree that only a few companies have succeeded in the past?
I guess, at that time and period, there were only four to five companies that could do business. But now, times have changed. Today, we have huge growth in small businesses and Bhutan’s economic success will depend on the growth of small businesses. With lots of policies coming up, opportunities to young entrepreneurs are provided. But they must do different things instead of crowding into one line of business.
Source: Kuenselonline