𝑇ℎ𝑟𝑒𝑒-𝑑𝑎𝑦 𝑝𝑟𝑜𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑚 𝑒𝑞𝑢𝑖𝑝𝑠 𝑟𝑒𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑛𝑒𝑒𝑠 𝑤𝑖𝑡ℎ 𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑟𝑒𝑝𝑟𝑒𝑛𝑒𝑢𝑟𝑖𝑎𝑙 𝑠𝑘𝑖𝑙𝑙𝑠 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑜𝑝𝑝𝑜𝑟𝑡𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑒𝑠

𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐡𝐮, 𝐁𝐡𝐮𝐭𝐚𝐧 – 𝐌𝐚𝐲 𝟔, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 – A three-day Bootcamp for Overseas Returnees, held from May 4 to 6, 2026, at the Startup Centre in Changzamtok, successfully concluded with 33 participants gaining practical skills and knowledge to transition from overseas employment to local entrepreneurship. The program, themed “From Overseas Experience to Local Enterprise,” was organized by the Department of Employment and Entrepreneurship, Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Employment.

The bootcamp was designed to support the effective reintegration of returnees under the National Reintegration Program while promoting self-employment and entrepreneurship opportunities within the country. It focused on helping participants leverage their skills, knowledge, and international experience to establish sustainable business ventures, while also contributing to employment generation and national development priorities.

The program featured a range of interactive and hands-on sessions, including idea generation, team formation, and entrepreneurship fundamentals. Participants developed business concepts using tools such as the Lean Canvas, explored design thinking approaches, and conducted market validation exercises. Sessions on basic financial management, pitching techniques, and pitch deck preparation were complemented by intensive mentoring and networking opportunities, fostering collaboration and peer learning among participants.

The opening ceremony was graced by the Director General of the Department of Employment and Entrepreneurship, who highlighted the government’s continued support for returnees and emphasized the wide range of opportunities available for entrepreneurial growth in Bhutan.

The bootcamp culminated in a final pitching session, where participants presented their business ideas before a panel, showcasing innovative concepts shaped during the program. The closing ceremony was graced by the Secretary of the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, and Employment, who commended the participants for their dedication and encouraged them to translate their ideas into impactful enterprises.

Yarchen Wangchuk, an overseas returnee, shared that they felt cared for, welcomed, and hopeful upon returning home. She also highlighted that the program helped them develop entrepreneurial skills and realize that there are promising opportunities within the country as well.

Nine teams pitched diverse business ideas ranging from jewelry making, food and beverages, and tattoo studios to digital platforms. Among the nine teams, 𝐂𝐥𝐨𝐮𝐝 𝐊𝐢𝐭𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐧, a home-style tiffin meal delivery service offering convenient and nutritious food options, takes home Nu. 200,000/-, while 𝐑𝐞𝐲𝐰𝐚, a Japanese fusion restaurant that reimagines Bhutanese cuisine by blending local ingredients with contemporary cooking techniques, receives Nu. 150,000/-. The winning teams will receive handholding support to help transform their ideas into viable and sustainable enterprises.

This initiative reflects the Department’s ongoing commitment to strengthening entrepreneurial development through targeted capacity-building programs and fostering a dynamic ecosystem that supports aspiring entrepreneurs across Bhutan.”