Bhutan's Brain Drain: Government's Plan to Halt and Reverse the Australia Rush

"Australia, here we come? Not so fast, folks!" That's the message from Prime Minister Dasho (Dr) Lotay Tshering, who says the government is taking steps to slow down, halt, and even reverse the trend of Bhutanese citizens heading Down Under.

Image: Prime Minister Dr. Lotey Tshering during Mid Term Review (MTR) for the 12th Plan. PMO, Bhutan

In a recent statement, Bhutan's Prime Minister, Dasho (Dr) Lotay Tshering, addressed the growing trend of Bhutanese citizens leaving the country in search of better opportunities abroad, particularly in Australia. The Prime Minister acknowledged that while this trend has always existed, it has become more alarming in recent years. He stated that the main reason for this trend is the lack of decent livelihood opportunities within Bhutan, and that it is only natural for citizens to seek out better opportunities elsewhere.

The Prime Minister acknowledged that the government could take drastic measures to curb this trend, such as immediately stopping the issuance of passports, but said that this is not the solution the government is looking for. Instead, the government is focusing on creating a local environment that is conducive to meeting citizens' expectations, and offering education and training opportunities in various sectors, particularly in the field of Information Technology (IT).

But it's not all doom and gloom for Bhutanese citizens looking to head to Australia. The Prime Minister stated that the government's main target is to create a conducive environment for Bhutanese citizens to tell themselves that the opportunity is as good in Bhutan as it is abroad. He also emphasized that the government's aim is to create opportunities not only for Bhutanese citizens, but also for global youth and young minds.

To achieve this goal, the Prime Minister stated that the government must first immediately slow down the trend of citizens leaving the country, halt it, and then reverse it. This can be done by creating a conducive environment for citizens to decide not to go abroad, welcoming back those who have already left, and creating opportunities for those who decide not to come back to invest in Bhutan with the skills and knowledge they have gained abroad.

The Prime Minister also highlighted that of all the countries facing brain drain and migration, Bhutan is in a unique position as most of the Bhutanese going out are for education purposes. He stated that this mass education and reskilling of the country's youth is actually an opportunity for Bhutan's future.

In conclusion, the Prime Minister emphasized that the government's main focus for the turnaround is IT, as it is the driver of development in all sectors. He stated that through heavy investment in IT, Bhutanese experts who are stationed outside can work for the country and Bhutanese who are experts in other fields can also invest in Bhutan. So, while the Australian dream may not be dead, it looks like the government is taking steps to make sure Bhutanese citizens have plenty of opportunities to thrive at home before they head abroad. In the PM's statement highlights the government's commitment to addressing the trend of citizens leaving the country and creating a conducive environment for citizens to stay and thrive in Bhutan. Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story!

What do you think is the best solution to slow down the trend of Bhutanese citizens leaving for Australia?

• 0%Immediate stop of issuance of passports
• 0%Building a better Bhutan to meet citizen's expectations
• 0%Encouraging Bhutanese citizens abroad to invest in Bhutan
• 0%Upgrading Bhutan's workforce with IT & other skills training

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