Bhutan

Inauguration of the 2009 Crafts Festival

Statement by Mr. Bakhodir Burkhanov, UNDP Deputy Resident Representative, at the Inauguration of the 2009 Crafts Festival, Clock Tower, Thimphu

Your Majesty, the Queen Mother, Ashi Sangay Choden Wangchuck,
Hon’ble Lyonpos,
Excellencies,
Representatives of Partner Organizations,
Ladies and Gentlemen:

It gives me a great pleasure and an honor to be part of the Inauguration of 2009 Crafts Festival, an event graced by Her Majesty, the Queen Mother, Ashi Sangay Choden Wangchuck. As in the past years, the festival is one of the central events of the year celebrating Bhutan’s rich cultural heritage and showcasing the nation’s artistic talents. Thank you, Your Majesty, for your presence here today, which embodies your dedicated support over the years towards preservation of Bhutan’s unique cultural identity and fostering its arts and crafts.

At the outset, allow me to convey the regrets of UNDP Resident Representative, Ms. Claire Van der Vaeren, for not being able to attend this event. Following the devastating earthquake that shook the eastern parts of Bhutan on 21 September, she is currently visiting the affected areas to discuss the immediate relief and recovery needs on the ground. Once again, we wish to express our heartfelt condolences to the Royal Government and to the families who have lost loved ones in this earthquake. The UN system in Bhutan is actively engaged in the emergency response with the concerned authorities to ease the plight of those affected by this tragic occurrence.

Your Majesty, ladies and gentlemen:

We are here today to celebrate Bhutan’s exquisite crafts and textiles. Exactly a year ago, we have talked about the emerging phenomenon of culture-based and creative industries and the potential they hold in reducing poverty and improving the lives of people through the use of traditional and indigenous skills.

We have since launched the first ever Bhutan Cultural Industries Sector Baseline Report, which documented the real contributions of creative industries to the socio-economic development, and examined their existing potential for poverty reduction. The Report provided a wealth of information and, importantly, a roadmap for uplifting the standard of living of the rural artisans.

Despite Bhutan’s unprecedented socio-economic progress, income poverty and unemployment – especially youth unemployment – remain a concern. This underscores the need for economic growth that is inclusive and pro-poor and that equally benefits men and women. Much is being done across many sectors to address these issues, and there is good progress. The cane and bamboo exhibition organized in June of this year by the Ministry of Economic Affairs showcased how rural communities can utilize the available factors of production and their traditional skills to generate supplementary or main income. The launch of the Bhutan Seal of Excellence earlier this year set a benchmark for quality of Bhutanese handicraft products, helping local artisans succeed in competitive international markets. Finally, the recognition of Bhutan’s unique products continued to grow over the past year, with one item having won a prestigious UNESCO Seal award.

Our collective challenge moving forward will be to capitalize on these advancements and help reach the full potential of Bhutan’s creative industry to re-vitalize communities, preserve and build on the cultural heritage, and contribute to a more sustainable development model in line with the GNH approach. The culture-based industry, perhaps like no other, cuts across many sectors of the economy, which requires a truly holistic enabling environment where policymakers work together in a coordinated fashion. I would like to re-affirm the continued support of UNDP to such efforts linking community development and poverty alleviation through private sector growth and women’s empowerment.

Today’s festival is yet another manifestation of the progress in transforming cultural industries into a vibrant sector of Bhutan’s economy. It is especially encouraging to see new and improved arrays of products, innovative blends and fusions, and original styles.

I would like to take this opportunity to commend the work of the Department of Culture of the Home Ministry and the National Statistics Bureau of Bhutan in producing the Cultural Industries Sector Baseline Report. I would also like to acknowledge the Department of Industries of the Ministry of Economic Affairs for its support to the development of rural enterprises. The efforts of the Handicrafts Association of Bhutan to develop and expand crafts as a means of livelihoods are also laudable; through the Association, we have contributed to the skills development of over 500 women artisans and are working to strengthen the textile industry in Bhutan. The UNDP and its partner agencies – UNIDO and UNESCO – are happy to be associated with this programme.

In conclusion, I wish to extend our warm thanks to the Textile Museum staff and colleagues from the Department of Culture for their dedicated efforts in bringing this wonderful festival to us.

Your Majesty, I would like to once again express my heartfelt gratitude for your royal patronage and guidance.

Ka-din Chey-la and Tashi Delek!