India’s close SE Asian partner Singapore expands partnership with Bhutan

SE Asian powerhouse Singapore and the Royal Government of Bhutan on Tuesday signed a Memorandum of Understanding on the establishment of Model Technical Training Centres (MTTC) in the Technical Training Institute (TTI) of Thimphu and TTI of Khuruthang, Bhutan as part of growing links between the Himalayan state and ASEAN.

The agreement was signed by Sonam Tobgay, Director of Bilateral Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bhutan, and Simon Wong, Ambassador of Singapore to Bhutan.

The objective of the agreement is to establish the 2 MTTCs which offer high quality practice-oriented skills training for Bhutanese youths to meet the growing demand for skilled manpower in Automotive Technology (AT) and Facility Technology - Mechanical & Electrical (FT-ME), sources said.


The AT programme will be implemented at MTTC Thimphu and the FT-ME programme will be implemented at MTTC Khuruthang. The 2 MTTCs will train up to a total of 160 students each year.

“The agreement is a testament to the close ties between Singapore and Bhutan. the King of Bhutan, Jigme Khesar Namgyal Wangchuck visited the Institute of Technical Education (ITE), Singapore, in 2015. Since then, there have been frequent exchanges between Bhutan and Singapore on Technical and Vocational Education and Training. Today’s agreement is the result of years of collaboration,” a source recalled.

“His Majesty the King’s clear and forward-looking vision for Bhutan, and his support for the Singapore-Bhutan relationship, have made this initiative possible. The agreement we signed today on Technical and Vocational Education and Training, reflects our two countries’ shared understanding that human capital is a key resource,” Wong said, adding, “It is timely for us to launch this collaboration now, as we look to emerge from the global pandemic. It will complement Bhutan’s broad efforts in enabling the youth of the nation to fulfill their potential.”