The Druk Tshongrig Gatoen festival in Thimphu launched a weekend flea market, providing a unique platform for people to showcase and sell various products, including second hand goods. This annual festival aims to inspire aspiring entrepreneurs and showcase local products, and this year, the weekend flea market was introduced as a new platform for entrepreneurs.
The weekend flea market is situated at the startup centre in Thimphu’s Changzamtok, and individuals looking to sell their products or second-hand goods can utilize the space. The Loden Foundation, in collaboration with Bhutan’s Ministry of Industry, Commerce, and Employment, has set up stalls at the flea market, with operational details yet to be finalized.
Sangay Tshering, President of the Loden Foundation, explained that this concept emerged due to limited options for activities in Thimphu. It aims to facilitate events like weekend fairs for selling second-hand items without the logistical challenges of organizing them.
Rigden Wangchuk, Chief Programme Officer of the Department of Employment and Entrepreneurship, highlighted the partnership’s goals in promoting entrepreneurial culture, building an entrepreneurial ecosystem, and creating awareness about intellectual properties during the 2023 Druk Tshongrig Gatoen.
Entrepreneurs welcomed the weekend flea market, as it can promote local businesses and address challenges faced by small enterprises in finding suitable spaces to sell their goods. Jeewan Baral, an entrepreneur, emphasized the need for accessible opportunities to sell products, while Tandin Dorji, another entrepreneur, highlighted the potential opportunities it could provide, especially for individuals facing challenges like lack of finance and equipment.
