UNDP Bhutan
Proje
August 2007
Project Fact sheet
Blending Traditional Crafts and Information Technology to Benefit Rural Women
cataloguing products suitable for e-business. The project also supported capacity development of MTI, both in its head office in the Regional Trade Industry Office that established in Trashigang. the the and and was resorts in the country such as Uma and Aman; • Rural artisans, entrepreneurs, and intermediaries sensitized in quality of products, sampling of products before mass production, and familiarized in the international system of costing to maintain consistency of product costing; and • Initiated the creation of a Yarn Bank, now supported by the RED Programme. The Yarn Bank assists rural weavers, most of whom are beneficiaries of this project, to meet the demands on non-traditional markets by overcoming problems in purchasing yarns, and in transforming their traditional modes of production into a form which is more lucrative. The project was the first project in Bhutan that explored the potential for e-business as a means to ensure the sustainable livelihoods of rural women.
“Preparing Bhutan for E-business”
Background
Bhutan is well known for its rural crafts, and exquisite textiles, but its artisans and weavers have a limited market within the country. Despite a growing international interest in the products, Bhutanese textiles and crafts have yet to penetrate the niche markets abroad. Rural women, the producers of many of these crafts, often lack access to information, and the business skills needed to promote their products. With UNDP support, the Royal Government of Bhutan (RGoB), namely the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI) and the National Women’s Association of Bhutan (NWAB), through this project, piloted the use of information technology to reach new markets, and to expand economic opportunities. The aim of the project was to generate more income, and thereby, contribute to the sustainable livelihoods of women artisans and entrepreneurs in rural areas. UNDP’s assistance was built on its prior experience in assisting the RGoB to train women in basic business skills, and in supporting various IT projects to expand the use and access to information in Bhutan. The project worked with another two other UNDP supported initiatives, the Rural Enterprise Development (RED) Programme, and the Bhutan Post E-Post Initiative and explored areas where synergies could be tapped. The project cooperated with the RED Programme to develop a marketing strategy for the
Key Outputs Achieved
Although, the current environment was not found to be conducive for introducing ebusiness in Bhutan, the project was able to achieve the following outputs: • Market access for handicrafts improved and enhanced through the development of an interactive website at the Handicrafts Emporium in Thimphu and provision of computers and accessories to the National Handloom Development Center in Khaling in Eastern Bhutan; • 45 rural weavers from Khoma and Radhi in Eastern Bhutan trained in combining traditional designs with contemporary designs to suit market demands. Resulting products are sold at the Handicrafts Emporium and at the National Handloom Development Center. The new products were launched in June 2005 by Her Majesty Ashi Sangay Choden Wangchuck in Thimphu and were successfully received the guests; • 2 products awarded the Seal of Excellence by UNESCO in 2005; • Arts and Crafts Strategy developed in collaboration with the private sector. Rural artisans now supply selected products to high class hotel
Project Brief
Project Title: E-business Piloting and Readiness for Rural Women Artisans and Entrepreneurs in Bhutan Project No: BHU/03/003 Status: Closed Execution: Ministry of Trade and Industry Budget: USD 226,000.00 Source of Funds: UNDP/Japan Women in Development Fund
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