In a recent LinkedIn post, Devi Sahny explores the unique challenges and developing landscape of access to capital for businesses in Bhutan, contrasting it with more established markets like Singapore. Sahny, who has a personal connection to Bhutan through hosting its Prime Minister, Tshering Tobgay, and meeting His Majesty, focuses on the difficulties faced by micro and small enterprises in securing financing.
Sahny highlights the disparity in capital access between different markets:
“In a market like Singapore, access to capital is often taken for granted. There can be depth, structure, and a certain predictability to how funding flows. If a business is viable, there are usually multiple pathways to support it.”
The post then pivots to the situation in Bhutan, where Sahny observes that despite a majority of businesses being micro and small enterprises, financing remains a hurdle not due to a lack of entrepreneurial spirit, but because the financial system is still maturing.
Addressing Capital Scarcity with Innovative Financing
A key point of discussion in Sahny’s post is the innovative BTN-linked loan initiative by IFC Asia Pacific. Sahny explains the significance of this program, which provides financing in Bhutan’s local currency, the Ngultrum.
According to Sahny, this approach is crucial because it:
- Reduces foreign exchange risk for businesses.
- Makes international capital more accessible in a manner that respects Bhutan’s specific economic context.
Sahny views this as a meaningful shift, emphasizing the importance of tailoring financial solutions to local realities. As Sahny puts it:
“A shift, but a meaningful one – making capital fit into local context, and encouraging the best thing in the world….Entrepreneurship 💞”
Sahny’s Commitment to Cultivating Entrepreneurship
Building on this, Devi Sahny announces a personal partnership with IFC Asia Pacific to support these efforts. Sahny articulates a strong personal connection to fostering entrepreneurship, stating that it is “at the heart of what I do.” This partnership signifies a commitment to supporting entrepreneurs in regions where capital is a significant barrier.
The Broader Question of Financial Support
Sahny concludes the post by posing a direct question to the reader, seeking insights on what is most critical in environments with scarce capital. The question probes whether access to funding itself, stronger financial infrastructure, education, trust, or other factors are paramount.
The post also includes an invitation for those interested in visiting Bhutan to connect directly with Sahny for assistance. Sahny provides a link to an IFC post for further reading on the initiative.
In essence, Devi Sahny’s LinkedIn post serves as an insightful report on the financial ecosystem in Bhutan, highlighting an innovative solution and a personal commitment to bolstering entrepreneurship through strategic partnerships.
📝 About This Content
This article is based on insights shared by Devi Sahny on LinkedIn.
📅 Originally posted on April 9, 2026 | View original post on LinkedIn →