Asian Development Bank (ADB) President Masato Kanda held a meeting with Bhutan Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay at ADB’s headquarters in Manila to reinforce the robust development collaboration between ADB and Bhutan. The discussion centered on shared aspirations for sustainable growth, transformation of food systems, and Bhutan’s comprehensive long-term development strategy. Mr. Kanda emphasized Bhutan’s role as a model for nature-centric development, highlighting the significance of its experiences for fostering resilient and sustainable food systems throughout Asia and the Pacific.
The ADB President commended Bhutan’s commendable economic trajectory, predicting an 8.5% growth rate for 2025, and acknowledged the government’s advances in tax reform and fiscal policy. To bolster this growth, ADB pledged a noteworthy $1 billion financing to Bhutan from 2024 to 2028, aimed at enhancing climate-resilient infrastructure, trade, public finance, and human development initiatives. Furthermore, Prime Minister Tobgay shared insights at the Eminent Speakers’ Forum during the Asia and the Pacific Food Systems Forum 2026, where Bhutan’s unique status as a carbon-negative nation was highlighted, along with its critical mountain ecosystems that provide essential water resources for the region.
The two leaders also deliberated on Bhutan’s ambitious 10X National Economic Vision, aimed at propelling the economy to grow tenfold by 2050 through the enhancement of the private sector and the establishment of burgeoning industries, especially in digital and wellness sectors. ADB, as a prominent multilateral development bank, continues to advocate for inclusive, resilient, and sustainable growth across Asia and the Pacific, employing innovative financial instruments and alliances to address complex challenges, improve living conditions, construct quality infrastructure, and protect the environment. Established in 1966, ADB comprises 69 member countries, 50 of which are in the region.