10/03/2026
A significant step towards strengthening emergency preparedness in Bhutan.
The Sensitization Program on the Emergency Logistics Preparedness Procurement Manual commenced on 9 March 2026 in Lobesa, with technical and financial support from the World Food Programme, Bhutan. World Food Programme The program marks the beginning of a broader three-day Procurement Conference, aimed at strengthening procurement systems and preparedness mechanisms for emergency response in Bhutan.
The opening ceremony was graced by the Honโble Finance Minister, Lekey Dorji, and attended by Peter Rodriguez, Country Director of WFP Bhutan. Senior officials including the Director General of the Department of Local Governance and Disaster Management (DLGDM), the Dzongda, and the Dzongrab of the Punakha Dzongkhag Administration were also present at the event.
During the ceremony, the Honโble Finance Minister and the WFP Country Director jointly launched three key initiatives: the Emergency Logistics Preparedness Procurement Manual 2026, the Procurement Conference 2026, and the Dzongkha version of the Procurement Rules and Regulations (PRR) 2025. These milestones reflect the Royal Governmentโs continued commitment to strengthening transparency, efficiency, and accountability in public procurement.
The Emergency Logistics Preparedness Procurement Manual 2026 is a proactive and structured approach to emergency readiness. It provides clear procedures, documentation requirements, and response mechanisms that enable government agencies to undertake procurement swiftly during crises while maintaining integrity, transparency, and accountability. By establishing standardized processes for emergency situations, the manual ensures that procurement operations remain effective and responsive even under urgent and complex circumstances.
The manual will come into force in FY 2026โ2027 and will apply to both central agencies and local governments. The program has brought together 68 procurement officers from various central ministries, local governments, autonomous agencies, and armed forces under the Royal Government of Bhutan, creating an important platform for knowledge sharing, professional networking, and strengthening procurement capacity across the public sector.