Bhutan Agri. High Value Supply-Chains

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The International Finance Corporation (“IFC”), a part of the World Bank Group, and Himalayan Ventures Private Limited plan to collaborate under this diagnostic and scoping advisory project to support the growth of private-sector agribusiness in Bhutan. Himalayan Ventures Private Limited (“Himalayan Ventures”) is a diversified holding company incorporated in the United Kingdom and focused on investing and developing sustainable agro-based industries in Bhutan. The advisory project is aligned to the IFC South Asia Strategy and Bhutan Country Strategy focused on sustainable private-sector development, particularly in the agribusiness sector in the region with an emphasis on improving the sector competitiveness for creating long-term investment opportunities. It is also aligned with the business interests of Himalayan Ventures Private Limited which is looking to promote brand Bhutan in niche markets in the west, especially for specialty products such as organic coffee, and aromatic herbs and essences. This investment feasibility study diagnostic and scoping advisory project will be implemented to undertake: (a) a market and sector competitiveness assessment for two or three high-value, niche commodity value-chains in Bhutan, particularly from an export standpoint; and (b) an investment feasibility diagnostic of business operations of Himalayan Ventures and its partners in two to three niche/high-value commodity value-chains. (c) identification of supply chain gaps to scope an advisory project based on the recommendations made for technical assistance The assessment will include operations in Bhutan and potentially neighboring Himalayan regions India such as Sikkim and Nepal with a view to strengthen Himalayan Ventures’ business in Bhutan. Under Phase I of the engagement, IFC will carry out the diagnostic assessment for (a) organic coffee, (b) aromatic herbs and essences, and (c) bio-fertilizers and bio-pesticides, and (d) other agribusiness sectors as mutually agreed between IFC and Himalayan Ventures. The project (Phase I) will be implemented from May 1, 2021 and will conclude on December June 2023. Phase I may be followed by a Phase II with an advisory project focused on supporting Himalayan Ventures implement some of the recommendations especially with smallholders, MSMEs and communities in the supply-chains in Bhutan for improving competitiveness, climate resilience, gender mainstreaming, and sustainability.