A Business Plan Preparation Training is underway from 5 to 9 October 2026 at the Ugyen Wangchuck Institute for Forestry Research and Training (UWIFoRT) to strengthen participants’ capacity to develop sustainable and viable start-up businesses based on forestry products. The training supports Bhutan’s national vision for sustainable development by promoting the sustainable utilization and value addition of forest resources, while creating livelihood and economic opportunities for local communities.

The training, facilitated by UWIFoRT, focuses on linking theoretical concepts with practical business applications. A total of 13 forestry officials from the Territorial Divisions of Mongar, Trashigang, and Samtse are participating in the training. The participants are key stakeholders involved in forestry resource management and are expected to apply the knowledge and skills gained to develop and promote sustainable forestry-based enterprises within their respective areas.

The primary objective of the training is to equip participants with the knowledge, tools, and practical skills required to develop robust, realistic, and actionable business plans for forestry products. The training covers key components of business planning, including vision and mission development, objective setting, market analysis, SWOT and PESTLE analysis, business model development, marketing, production, financial planning, and administrative management.

Practical exercises designed will enable participants to identify potential forestry products and develop appropriate business and marketing strategies, assess market opportunities, estimate production and operating costs, and develop financial projections. The training will also emphasize on value addition, branding, customer needs, resource mobilization, and market development to enhance the commercial potential of forestry products.

Overall, the training aims to strengthen capacity of forestry officials to transform locally available forest resources into high-value, market-oriented, and environmentally sustainable products, while ensuring that resource utilization remains consistent with conservation principles and contributes to local economic development and community livelihoods.

The training is being supported by the Asian Forest Cooperation Organization (AFoCO), contributing to the development of sustainable and value-added forestry enterprises in Bhutan.