Bhutan has set an ambitious course for its economic future. The Industrial Development Roadmap (IDR), launched by the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Employment, outlines a vision to transform Bhutan into a green, inclusive, and sustainable industrial economy by 2035, deeply rooted in the principles of Gross National Happiness (GNH) (refer to the site of Bhutan’s Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Employment). This is more than an economic plan — it’s a call to reimagine industry, skills, and education in a way that balances prosperity with environmental stewardship, cultural integrity, and social equity.
Key Targets for 2035
By 2035, Bhutan aims to:
- Raise production and manufacturing’s share of GDP from 53 % to 60 %
- Create over 65,000 industrial jobs, with 40 % reserved for youth, women, and rural workers, and ensure 100 % TVET alignment with industrial needs
- Position ten priority sectors — including the Education Industries, Renewable Energy, ICT, Creative Industries, and Agro Industries — as engines of growth
- Develop industry across the country by locating 50 % of new industries outside Thimphu and Chhukha for regional equity
- Operationalise Gelephu Mindfulness City (GMC), the world’s first net‑zero city, as a hub for innovation, education, and green industry (see the Industrial Development Roadmap visual extract)
The roadmap’s vision makes clear that industrial transformation must go hand in hand with future-ready education systems and human capital development.
Bhutan’s Goal to Become a Global Education Hub
The IDR explicitly outlines a plan for Bhutan to become a “globally recognised hub for inclusive, holistic, and value‑based education” that attracts both domestic and international students. The focus is on:
- Niche disciplines such as wellness, creative industries, and sustainability
- Partnerships with foreign universities, TAFEs and RTOs for co‑branded programs
- Embedding digital skills and Industry 4.0 tools into TVET
- Creating education export strategies and global branding initiatives
- Leveraging Bhutan’s safe, English‑medium learning environment and its “Brand Bhutan” reputation
This education vision aligns with Bhutan’s industrial targets. For instance, renewable energy and data‑centre industries will require skilled technicians and managers — roles that high‑quality vocational and higher education can supply.
Why This Matters for Australia — Especially South Australia
Australia, and South Australia in particular, is uniquely positioned to partner with Bhutan to achieve these goals:
- Shared renewable energy leadership – South Australia is a global leader in renewable energy penetration, aiming for 100 % net renewable power by 2027. Bhutan, already net‑zero, harnesses hydropower, and Gelephu Mindfulness City will showcase renewable integration in urban-industrial design. This offers fertile ground for joint green skills exchange, renewable-energy training, and R&D collaboration.
- VET/TVET expertise – Australia’s VET/TVET system is regarded worldwide for its industry alignment and competency-based frameworks. Bhutan’s roadmap calls for 100 % alignment between TVET programmes and emerging industrial needs — an area where Australian RTOs and TAFEs can provide curriculum design, trainer development, and accreditation support.
- Education export and international mobility – As Bhutan develops into an education hub, Australian universities and VET providers can:
- Offer joint qualifications
- Deliver offshore campuses or satellite programs in Bhutan
- Develop short courses and micro‑credentials in high‑demand niches like renewable energy, creative industries, and green manufacturing
- Sector-to-sector collaboration – Bhutan’s priority sectors align closely with Australian strengths — from creative industries and ICT to agri-processing and medtech wellness. This creates scope for industry–academia partnerships, internships, and tech‑transfer programmes.
- Living laboratory at the Gelephu Mindfulness City – GMC will be the centrepiece of Bhutan’s industrial and educational transformation. As the first net‑zero city in the world, it offers a live demonstration of sustainable urban planning, integrated industrial parks, education precincts linked to industry, and innovation ecosystems built on wellbeing and environmental harmony. For Australian partners, it’s a unique opportunity to co-create and co-invest in an iconic global model of green living and learning.
Here are relevant insights from other posts by Wendy Perry on the Blue Poppy Ventures blog that aligns strongly with the IDR’s emphasis on education-industrial synergy and sustainability:
- Future‑Ready Bhutan – Transforming TVET to Empower a Generation explores how “skills development is the key to sustainable growth and social inclusion” — directly echoing the roadmap’s TVET alignment goals
- Innovation in Action – Why Bhutan Is the World’s Next Sustainability Hotspot presents Bhutan as “the future of sustainable cities, clean energy, and mindful living—all in one place”.
- Advancing Bhutan’s Development Through Skills, Innovation, and Renewable Energy outlines key initiatives from the Bhutan Innovation Forum, emphasising “skills, innovation, and renewable energy” as development drivers.
A Call to Action
Bhutan’s Industrial Development Roadmap is more than a national strategy; it’s an invitation. It’s a rare opportunity for Australia to co-create a new economic and educational model grounded in sustainability, equity, and cultural authenticity.
For South Australian government agencies, universities, TAFEs, and RTOs, this could mean:
- Establishing strategic MoUs with Bhutanese ministries and education providers
- Participating in skills gap analyses and co-developing industrial training pathways
- Investing in renewable energy, ICT, and education infrastructure within GMC and other industrial hubs
- Creating international student pipelines in both directions
The 2035 horizon is ambitious but achievable — and partnerships formed now will shape a shared future of prosperity, innovation, and mutual learning.
If you’d like to discuss how your organisation can collaborate with Bhutan under the IDR, please connect with Wendy Perry. Together, we can help realise a vision where industry, education, and sustainability meet — and where both Bhutan and Australia lead by example.