Bhutan the new IT back office?

With lightening fast broadband network, soon-to-be operational IT park and the recent Genpact deal, Bhutan is well on course for an IT boom.

The agreement signed between the Bhutan government and leading BPO firm Genpact on June 8 will help alleviate the unemployment situation in the country, according to labour and human resources minister Dorji Wangdi.

"It's a major breakthrough for us. We'll need a lot of people trained for the IT sector. Developing an IT-based private sector is part of government policy to make Bhutan a major IT hub," said labour and human resources ministry secretary Sonam Tenzin.

According to the agreement, Genpact will recruit 200 Bhutanese graduates every year to be trained and employed in India. After a period of two years, they will return to Bhutan with training and experience in business processes, ranging from call centres to financial services.

Dorji said the batch identified by Royal University of Bhutan will be sent for training and employment to India. The graduates will also undergo training in communications, analytical and reasoning skills.

This will ensure they are employable not only in the IT sector but other industries as well, said Sonam. Meanwhile, construction on Bhutan's first IT park is expected to be completed in two years.

The government is currently establishing a broadband network that will link all 20 districts.

According to communications minister Nandalal Rai, Bhutan's climatic condition and location are ideal for setting up operation centres.

He said Bhutan's English speaking population would facilitate the development of IT enabled services.