Members’ Business: Michelle Thomson: Building Links with Bhutan

Michelle Thomson (S6M-19514) That the Parliament welcomes the financial and administrative support from the Tam O’Shanter Trust for the recent parliamentary visit to Bhutan, and thanks Bhutan Homestay and the Loden Foundation for the additional in-country support, including arranging insightful meetings with entrepreneurs, parliamentarians and others; notes that Bhutan has a population approaching 800,000 and is set amidst the Himalayas, bordered by India and Tibet, and that its culture and governance are very different from Scotland; acknowledges its vibrant Buddhist heritage and magnificent cultural assets, including its numerous fortresses and temples, the best known of which is The Paro Taktsang, also known as the Tiger’s Nest, which is a legendary monastery that hangs precariously on the edge of a 3,120m-tall cliff; appreciates that Bhutan is notable for its use of a national happiness index to assess progress and is ranked as one of the top 20 least corrupt countries in the world; understands that its political and institutional development is less mature and very different from Scotland’s, but that there are areas where a sharing of innovative practice may prove mutually beneficial, such as on climate change, population retention, entrepreneurship, and education and skills; commends the work undertaken by the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh to document and conserve Bhutan’s rich plant diversity; notes the view that there are opportunities to further develop relationships with Bhutan and that active consideration should be given to forming a Cross Party Group on Bhutan, with members from both Scotland and Bhutan, and including academic and cultural communities; further notes the view that there could be a useful focus on developing cultural links to enjoy and appreciate the countries' different cultural assets, and notes the invitation for the Loden Foundation to work with friends in Scotland, including those in the Falkirk East constituency. Further details available for S6M-19514