Naykap Gokab- Bhutan's first national innovation platform

May 5, 2023

undp-bhutan-launch-of-national-innovation-platform-may-2023 — From left: DHI CEO Ujjwa Dahal, MoICE Minister Karma Dorji and UNDP Resident Representative Mohammad Younus launch the national innovation platform

UNDP Bhutan/Dechen Wangmo

Thimphu, 5 May 2023: The National Innovation Platform (NIP) “Naykap Gokab” seeks to harness the creative talents of the Bhutanese citizens. Anyone- from farmers to students, entrepreneurs to policymakers, and grassroots innovators to tech innovators- can share their innovative ideas and solutions on the platform. They can also share problems and challenges.

Naykap Gokab in an initiative of the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Employment (MoICE), DHI InnoTech and UNDP. The launch of the platform today showcased some of the innovative solutions sourced from across the country.

The platform aims to provide a vibrant space for the innovators to showcase their innovation in the short term. The medium-term goal is to help attract investments and public private partnerships to turn the ideas into reality, and test, implement and scale up solutions. The long-term goal is to strengthen the innovation ecosystem to transform the country’s economy and improve the lives of Bhutanese with innovation-driven growth and prosperity.

Lyonpo Karma Dorji, Minister for Industry, Commerce and Employment (MoICE)

UNDP Bhutan/Dechen Wangmo

“Innovation is the key driver of progress and growth in today’s rapidly changing world,” said Lyonpo Karma Dorji, Minister for Industry, Commerce and Employment. “By creating a national innovation platform, we are sending a strong signal that innovation is a top priority for our country and that we are committed to fostering a culture of innovation that will enable us to tackle the challenges of the 21^st century.”

DHI CEO Ujjwal Dahal

UNDP Bhutan/Dechen Wangmo

“We are committed to building an economy driven by science, technology, engineering, and innovation. This partnership between UNDP, MoICE and DHI will go a long way in creating breakthrough projects and products that will impact the Bhutanese community and beyond,” said Ujjwal Dahal, CEO, DHI.

UNDP Resident Representative Mohammad Younus

UNDP Bhutan/Dechen Wangmo

UNDP Resident Representative Mohammad Younus said innovation is key to tackling challenges, both small and big. “In UNDP, innovation is at the heart of everything we do. UNDP’s support to this platform stems from our continued partnership with the Royal Government to unleash the potential of the innovative spirit of the Bhutanese population, especially the youth.”

The platform will help the government make informed decisions. It will contribute towards the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goal 8- Decent Work and Economic Growth and Goal 9- Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure.

undp-bhutan-clever-crew-may-2023 — Members of Clever Crew, the group that developed the platform

UNDP Bhutan/Dechen Wangmo

Clever Crew, a group of young developers brought the platform to life. They were selected from among 22 teams who competed in a hackathon organized by the then Ministry of Economic Affairs, DHI InnoTech and UNDP.