Frequently Asked Questions
There are different ways to join the “SHINE” project, depending on the type of your business and institution. Please refer to the various channels in this FAQ page to join the project. If you do not yet find the most fitting description of your interest, please contact us.
If you are an owner or a manager of a food and non-food production unit, such as post harvest facilities (drying, grinding, freezing) and handicrafts CSI, you can benefit from the project through value chain engagement, capacity building and awareness events. Your products can be promoted through the tourism agencies and establishments in Thimphu, Paro and Bumthang. Your products can be diversified, quality can be improved, and quantity can be increased through technological and managerial interventions. Supportive measures, such as national and local policy and financial programs, will be introduced. If you contact us with your details, we will invite you to the future training programs, awareness events and other opportunities.
If you are an owner or a manager of a hotel, resort, restaurant, tour operator or a tour guide, you can join the project as tourism establishments. Products information and samples will be introduced to you to diversify and upgrade your offers. Authentic Bhutanese produces from the Eastern and Southern districts can replace your imported ingredients and products. The SHINE mobile app will provide you with the chance to find attractive products and material.
If you provide a Village Home Stay (VHS) service, or if you plan to open a new VHS in one of the SHINE target districts, you will be guided to the “TCB’s VHS Guidelines” and SHINE’s VHS promotion. Please contact us with your details. We will inform you of the opportunities.
If you cultivate and farm agricultural crops, or if you collect non-wood forest products (NWFP), such as herbs and fruits, you can be connected with post-harvest units and handicrafts people who can add values to your produce. You will be advised to increase your revenue by diversifying your products, to be aware of their authentic values as local specialties. Please contact us with your details.
If you want to experience rural Bhutan, the tour operators and guides who specialize in eco-tourism and village home stay (VHS) will support you. Please contact us to be connected to those experts. Alternatively, you can directly contact the producers and VHS providers through the SHINE mobile app.
The overall objective of the SHINE project is to mitigate the current imbalance of tourism influx and revenue between the West and the East of Bhutan. The project promotes the rural tourism as well as the local/regional, traditional, authentic products. The development strategies will be in line with the local/regional plans pursued by the respective governmental units. We are keen on knowing your development strategies, and willing to support your policy interventions to be effective. Please contact us with your ongoing strategies.
No. The EU SWITCH-Asia project does not provide monetary support, such as grant, subsidies or scholarship for the beneficiaries. Technological, managerial, institutional knowledge and skills are delivered and the beneficiaries are oriented to best practices to replicate in their business.
Sure! Please download the handicrafts catalog from the “Photos & Downloads” page of this website. If you like to buy some products in bulk, please contact Handicrafts Association of Bhutan (HAB). In 2022, SHINE will also provide a mobile app and open an online shopping mall, where you can see diverse authentic Bhutanese products.