Microsoft to come to Bhutan!
Technology is the cutting edge instrument for economic and social progress at this stage. That’s what Bhutan envisioned for while developing the Thimphu IT Park. The government had announced to make Bhutan a techno hub in the region. But, for years, the response from IT companies looked lukewarm.
Bhutan has made all efforts to integrate information technology into governance and daily life of the people though it has ignored the importance of Right to Information. There have been debates on how the technology could be better used for achievement of GNH objectives.
Well there are few areas where happiness links with IT but more areas where economy links with IT. Thus, should Bhutan’s primary objective is to make economic progress, IT has to be the important element in its processes.
Additionally, IT used in its best form, promote cohesion, social unity and democracy.
In an effort to invite IT giants into the country, the government has held talks with Microsoft. The IT giant from United States has agreed to send its delegation to Bhutan to study possibilities of making Bhutan an IT hub.
According to discussion between Bhutanese Prime Minister Jigmi Thinley and Communication Secretary Kinley Dorji with Microsoft Managing Director Frank McCosker in Rio De Janeiro this week on the sidelines of the Rio+20 conference, the company will send a high level Microsoft delegation to Bhutan in September this year to discuss a range of activities with the Bhutan government.
Some of the proposed activities would include Microsoft software for research, governance, mobile applications and especially the cutting edge technology for last mile connectivity to reach the unreached.
The two sides also discussed the possibility of Microsoft setting up a high end BPO and software development in Bhutan.
PM Thinley on the occasion informed the Microsoft official that Bhutan is preparing itself as an ICT investment hub to achieve Bhutan’s goal of an ICT enabled knowledge-based society.
If discussion between Bhutan and the IT giant turns positive in September, Bhutan’s prospect for an IT hub will bet a boost. It will not only expand the Microsoft market in the region but also helps address illegal sales of Microsoft products and make Microsoft more accessible and affordable for the local users.
Microsoft presence in Bhutan will certainly send ripples across the region injecting interests in local IT companies to host their office near Microsoft to get better benefits.
Microsoft have yet to add a Bhutanese locale and keyboard or any official support for Dzongkha to their Windows operating system and office applications. As far back as 1999 there were talks with them about this. At that time they agreed to it but they later reneged on the promise.