𝐒𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐁𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐒𝐞𝐞𝐝𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐦𝐦𝐞 (𝐒𝐁𝐒𝐏) 𝐅𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐋𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐥𝐞 𝐂𝐄𝐎𝐬

The Student Business Seedling Programme (SBSP), featuring the Little CEOs programme, was successfully concluded with closing ceremonies held on 𝟔 𝐉𝐚𝐧𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔, following an intensive eight-day programme conducted from 29 December 2026 to 6 January 2026. The programme was implemented simultaneously at three centres- 𝐏𝐮𝐧𝐚𝐤𝐡𝐚, 𝐓𝐬𝐢𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐠, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐏𝐡𝐮𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 serving as regional hubs that attracted students from nearby dzongkhags and communities, ensuring broad geographical representation.

The SBSP targeted students from 𝐂𝐥𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐬 𝐗 𝐭𝐨 𝐗𝐈𝐈 and benefited a total of 75 students, with 27 participants in Punakha, 26 in Tsirang, and 22 in Phuentsholing. The programme was designed to promote entrepreneurial skills at the grassroots level and to nurture an entrepreneurial mindset among the youth as future citizens and contributors to the national economy.

The key objectives of the Student Business Seedling Programme included:

Promoting entrepreneurship as a viable and respectable career option from an early age;

Building basic entrepreneurial knowledge and financial literacy among students;

Fostering creativity, innovation, and problem-solving skills;

Enhancing leadership, teamwork, and communication competencies; and

Providing practical exposure to business ideation, business planning, and idea pitching.

During the closing ceremonies, students showcased their learning outcomes by presenting innovative business ideas, reflecting the entrepreneurial competencies, creativity, and leadership skills developed throughout the programme.

The closing ceremonies were graced by distinguished guests at the respective centres:

𝐏𝐮𝐧𝐚𝐤𝐡𝐚: Dasho Namgay R. Dorji, National Council Member, Punakha Dzongkhag;

𝐓𝐬𝐢𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐠: Mr. Samten, Chief DEO, Tsirang Dzongkhag; and

𝐏𝐡𝐮𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠: Mr. Karma Drukpa, Regional Director, ROICE.

The programme was funded under the 𝐄𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐜 𝐒𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐮𝐥𝐮𝐬 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐦𝐦𝐞 (𝐄𝐒𝐏) and jointly implemented by the Department of Employment and Entrepreneurship (DoEE) and Financial Institutions Training Institute (FITI). The SBSP forms an integral part of the Royal Government of Bhutan’s broader efforts to promote entrepreneurship, youth empowerment, and balanced regional development across the country.