A delegation of nine officials from ICIMOD, entrepreneurs, and business leaders from Nepal visited the National Biodiversity Centre (NBC) and other enterprises in Bhutan as part of a cross-learning initiative under the Scaling Bioprospecting as a Nature-based Solution (NbS) project. This initiative aims to promote biodiversity conservation, foster green enterprise development, and enhance regional collaboration.
The visit began at NBC, where the delegation was introduced to Bhutan’s unique approach to biodiversity conservation and the sustainable use of biological resources. Special emphasis was placed on bioprospecting and natural product development under the Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) framework. Delegates toured NBC’s facilities, including the gene banks, herbarium, and bioprospecting-based product development units, to better understand Bhutan’s efforts in safeguarding biodiversity while creating economic opportunities.
The delegation also visited key enterprises and institutions such as Bhutan Agro Industries Ltd. (BAIL), Menjong Sorig Pharmaceuticals Corporation Ltd. (MSPCL), Bio Bhutan Pvt. Ltd., the Cottage and Small Industries Market, and the Startup Center. These visits facilitated experience sharing on community-based processing and marketing of agro and biodiversity-based products, and provided a platform to explore areas for future collaboration. Additionally, the group visited the Jigme Namgyel Wangchuck Super Fab Lab and the Bhutan Chamber of Commerce and Industries (BCCI), further enriching their understanding of Bhutan’s entrepreneurial and institutional frameworks.
The initiative encouraged productive dialogue on cross-country collaboration, knowledge sharing, and strategies to expand market opportunities for agro and biodiversity-based enterprises in both Bhutan and Nepal.
Participants
The Nepalese delegation included distinguished entrepreneurs and experts:
Ms. Prativa Pandey, CEO/Founder, Herveda Botanica
Mr. Khilendra Gurung, Founder/Director, Himalayan Bio Trade Pvt. Ltd.
Mr. Umesh Kumar Gupta, Executive Director, Industrial Enterprise Development Institute
Mr. Niraj Khanal, Director, Knowledge, Growth, and Sustainability (KGS) Incubation Centre
Prof. Hari Datta Bhattarai, Professor, Tribhuvan University
Ms. Neelam Pandey, Deputy Manager, Herbs Production & Processing Company Ltd.
Ms. Anu Shreshtha Joshi, Rural Enterprise and Value Chain Development Specialist, ICIMOD
Ms. Aruna Koju, Project Officer, ICIMOD
Mr. Abul Kalam Azad, Senior Resilient Livelihoods Specialist, ICIMOD