13 th ASPA Leaders Meeting
26-28 June, 2019
Thimphu, Bhutan
Venue of the meeting: Hotel Namgay Heritage, Thimphu, Bhutan
Local organizer : Thimphu TechPark Ltd.
Theme of the meeting: Role of Science & Technology Parks in the Development of a Nation
Kuzuzangpo (hello) and welcome to Bhutan!
As a member of the Asian Science Parks Association (ASPA), it is a great privilege and honour for Thimphu TechPark, Bhutan’s first and only Technology Park, to host the 13 th ASPA Leaders Meeting from 26 th -28 th June 2019. The ASPA Leaders Meeting, hosted annually by members of ASPA, is a closed meeting among ASPA Members to exchange experiences, successful know-how and knowledge of Science and Technology development of advanced Asian Science and Technology Parks. The Leaders Meeting will also serve as a platform for member countries to strengthen the network of ASPA and forge unity.
This year’s theme for the ASPA Leaders Meeting will be to discuss the ‘ Role of Science & Technology Parks in the Development of a Nation’. Well-known speakers on the subject will be invited to present their views from which the members will benefit. This year’s theme is relevant for reflecting on the role that the science and technology parks have played in their respective nation’s progress and economic advancement, as we look ahead to fast paced digital transformation around the globe.
The detailed program list is given below:
| Arrival date: | |
|
Guests have the choice of either arriving on 25
th
June 2019 or 26
th
June, 2019. Your flight will land at Paro International Airport, which is one hour drive from Thimphu.
If you are arriving on 26 th June 2019, you should make sure that their arrival time in Paro is before 2 pm in order to make it to the ASPA Board Meeting at 4 pm. Those arriving on 25 th June 2019 will be offered a sight seeing tour of tourist attractions in Thimphu on 26 th June before the ASPA Board Directors Meeting at 4 pm. |
|
| Day 1: Wednesday, 26 th June 2019 | |
| 16:00 – 17:00 | ASPA Board of Directors Meeting |
| 17:00 -18:00 | Registration |
| 18:00 – 20:00 | Welcome Reception and welcome dinner |
| Day 2: Thursday, 27 th June 2019 | |
| 08:00 – 08:45 | Arrival of guests and registration |
| 09:00 | Arrival of the Guest of Honour (A minister or a high official from the Govt. of Bhutan) |
| 09:00 – 09:30 | Opening Ceremony |
| 09:30 – 09.40 | Welcome address by the President of ASPA |
| 09.40 – 10.10 | Keynote address 1: Address by the Guest of Honour |
| 10:10 – 10.40 | Keynote address 2: Address by Mr. Tengfei Wang (Economic Affairs Officer, Trade, Investment and Innovation Division, United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific) |
| 10.40 – 11.00 | Tea break |
| 11:00 – 11:30 | Presentation of the Best Practices of Asian STPs 1: Japan Discussion / Q&A (Kanagawa Science Park, Japan) |
| 11:30 – 12:00 | Presentation of the Best Practices of Asian STPs 2: Korea Discussion / Q&A (Gyeongbuk Technopark, Korea) |
| 12:00 – 13:30 | Lunch |
| 13:30- 14:00 | Presentation of the Best Practices of Asian STPs 3: Taiwan Discussion / Q&A (Hsinchu Science Park, Taiwan) |
| 14.00 – 14.30 | Presentation of the Best Practices of Asian STPs 4: Vietnam Discussion / Q&A (Hoa-Lac Hi-Tech Park, Vietnam) |
| 14.30-14.50 | Tea break |
| 14:50 – 15:10 | Brief introductory presentation on Thimphu TechPark by Dr. Tshering Cigay Dorji, CEO. |
| 15.10 – 17:00 | Visit to Thimphu TechPark (15 minutes’ drive from the conference venue). |
| 19:00 – 22:00 | Gala Dinner & Closing Ceremony |
| Day 3: Friday, 28 th June 2019 | |
| 09:00 – 18:00 |
Cultural Tour
Hike to Tiger’s Nest temple in Paro, one of the most visited tourist attraction in Bhutan. |
| Day 4: | Saturday, 29 th June 2019 |
| As per departure time | Depart for Paro International Airport and see off. |
Advisory for obtaining flight tickets to Bhutan
There are two airlines, Govt. owned Drukair ( https://www.drukair.com.bt/ ) and private owned Bhutan Airlines ( http://www.bhutanairlines.bt/ ) that fly into Bhutan from Bangkok, Singapore, New Delhi, Kolkata, Kathmandu, Dhaka, Guahati and Mumbai. The participants may purchase the tickets online or through agents based in their respective countries. Alternatively, the travel agent in Bhutan can also help.
Flight tickets to Bhutan can sometimes be difficult to obtain because of the limited number of flights. Therefore, participants are requested not to wait until the last minute to buy their air tickets.
How to register
For details on registration and visa application, please click on this link: http://thimphutechpark.com/wp-content/uploads/ASPA_Leaders_Meeting_Registration-Form_2019.docx
V isa information
Since the number of participants cannot be confirmed in advance, the ASPA Secretariat has suggested that we go for tourist visa as it is flexible and easy to obtain. However, it is recommended that the application be made in advance using the registration form above.
As per the tourism policy of the Government of Bhutan to preserve our living culture and pristine environment, tourists have to pay a minimum daily package rate of USD 200 per night halt (this is the rate for June) and this package covers your accommodation in 3-star hotel (twin share), meals (no alcohol), ground transport with guide, and sustainable development fee of USD 65 per day that goes directly to the Government to support Bhutan’s free education, healthcare etc. For official information on the daily package rate for tourists, please visit the website of the Tourism Council of Bhutan at this link: https://www.bhutan.travel/page/minimum-daily-package-rate
We look forward to seeing you here in Bhutan soon.
For any enquiries, please call +975-2-350051 or email aspaleaders2019@thimphutechpark.com
Kadrinchhe (Thank you)!
See you in Bhutan soon!
