Towards a smooth transition strategy for Bhutan - UNCTAD

This report is intended to propose key elements for consideration by the Royal Government of Bhutan (RGB), its development and trading partners, and other interested stakeholders, as the country seeks to develop a national smooth transition strategy. Bhutan’s national smooth transition strategy is expected to accord special consideration to the challenges that pose a potential hindrance to Bhutan reducing its economic and natural vulnerabilities and adjusting to the loss of LDC-associated benefits. It is also expected to consider the support that Bhutan could receive from the United Nations system in cooperation with Bhutan’s bilateral, regional and multilateral development and trading partners during the transitional period to enhance the country’s ability to adapt to functioning in the global economic and trade landscape post-graduation. The report thus identifies and discusses LDC-associated benefits that are likely to be vital for Bhutan’s continued growth and development and that merit being retained beyond graduation to avoid a roll back on Bhutan’s development gains and the disruption of the country’s current development trajectory.