DHARAMSHALA: Finance Kalon Karma Yeshi today inaugurated the 3rd Tibetan Game Changers Conference organised by Tibetan Entrepreneurship Development (TED), an initiative of the Department of Finance, Central Tibetan Administration (CTA).
At least seventy Tibetan entrepreneurs and budding businessmen including restaurateurs, app developers, consultants, coaching institute managers, clothing designers, retailers, tour operators, etc. are participating in the two-day conference.
In his inaugural remarks, Finance Kalon explained that financial stability – along with education and culture – is one of the most important building blocks of a community and lauded the Tibetan people’s growing aptitude for business and entrepreneurship.
He encouraged Tibetan entrepreneurs to take risks in business irrespective of initial setbacks that might come along the way. He cited examples of successful communities like the Parsis in Mumbai and the Jews who, despite their miniscule population, has achieved enormous success and urged Tibetans to draw inspiration from them.
He said Tibetans have equal potential to succeed as anyone else and described failure as an opportunity to improve and re-strategise until you succeed. He further assured the Kashag and the finance department’s wholehearted commitment towards the strengthening of Tibetan economy through encouraging and incubating entrepreneurs and businesses.
Kalon Karma Yeshi also noted the small number of women among Tibetan business owners and called for more women entrepreneurs and business owners to come up in the community.
Finance Secretary Trnley Gyatso delivered the welcome remarks of the conference and explained the aims and objectives of the Tibetan Entrepreneurship Development (TED). He said the aim of the initiative is to mobilise and amplify Tibetan entrepreneurial spirit by nurturing, accelerating, and celebrating entrepreneurship through trainings, legal supports and establishing entrepreneurship clubs.
He also spoke briefly about the activities of the department particularly in light of the introduction of GST by the central government and how it affects Tibetan traders and businesses.
Kaydor Aukratsang, the Chief Resilience Officer of the Central Tibetan Administration, described TED as a strategic initiative begun by the 14th Kashag and carried forward by the 15th Kashag.
He explained that while the resources and opportunities would be provided by the department, productive participation of the community is crucial to fulfill the long-term view of the TED initiative. He urged the participants to enrich their entrepreneurial knowledge through these conferences to make a positive impact on their businesses.
The two-day GameChangers conference, also include an investment award competition aimed at identifying new entrepreneurs with great business ideas and plans. The finalists in the investment award contest will be given a sum of up to INR 1,500,000 (15 Lakhs) selected by a jury composed of Mr Chandra Kant, Advisory Board Member and Strategy Consultant; Dekyi Yangtso Chawla, Co founder of Reward 360; Mr Nalin Singh, Life Coach and author; Mr Tsering Dorje, Founder of Bercos restaurant; Tsewang Rigzin, former Deputy Director at Tibet Fund; Dawa Rinchen, Settlement officer and founder of Tibet Tours and Mr Kaydor Aukartsang, SARD Chief Resilience Officer.
Speakers and panelists at the conference include Dr Renu Emile, Vice Dean and Executive Director, Center for Consumer Research at OP Jindal University; Mr Jeremy Wade, Founding Director – JSiE; Mr M. Sathya Kumar, Chartered Accountant; Mr Arvind Rao, Founder & CEO – IVEDA; Tashi Gyalpo, co fouder of Omalaya travels and Ms Tseten Dolkar, co founder of Tibetan I Tech.
The conference and the investment award,in line with the objectives of TED, is aimed at creating an annual platform for collaboration, innovation and networking between Tibetan Entrepreneurs and the world. It enables Tibetan entrepreneurs to build networks, enrich knowledge, and connect mentors and investors to pitch their business ideas on the given platform.