In the press conference on August 20, the four-member delegation announced, among others, Japan’s intent to establish an embassy in Thimphu after the end of their fiscal year in March. “The lower house fully supports the notion of a Japanese embassy in Bhutan,” said Mr Katsuyuki Kawai, “And we shall …

The Election Commission of Bhutan (ECB) has said that the same procedures as the National Assembly (NA) general elections will be employed for the first by-election of the National Assembly in Nanong-Shumar constituency. ECB announced in early October 2013 as the start of the election process with a Royal Decree …

The latest draft 11th plan is around Nu 213 bn, of which around Nu 121 bn will be spent on current expenditure like salaries, TA/DA, vehicles, fuel, stationeries, etc., of the government machinery. Only Nu 92 bn will be spent on capital or developmental works and socio-economic works like roads, …

There was a RMA reaction today in a newspaper to an article by Dasho Karma Ura titled, “THE RUPEE CRISIS MACROECONOMIC CAUSES AND CURES.” It seems RMA officials have not read the article carefully. In what was published so far, which is Part 1 out of presumably more parts, not …

The Punatsangchu Hydroelectric Project Authority (PHPA) managing director (MD), R.N Khazanchi confirmed to The Bhutanese that the November 2016 completion date of the Punatsangchu I would no longer be feasible. This is on account of the sinking of the right slope situated above the dam site by as much as …

Following the country’s current economic situation, particularly the severe Indian Rupee (INR) shortfall, growing public debt and ever increasing current expenditure, the new government has decided to adopt a host of austerity measures, especially concerning the cabinet members, to curb unnecessary and excessive spending. Setting an example, the fourth sitting …

Dismissing reports of hard ball negotiations during the latest round of 11th plan talks between officials from Bhutan and India the GNHC Secretary Karma Tshiteem said that talks with the Government of India was very ‘positive’. Bhutan has requested for grants in three main packages of Nu 45 bn for …

The sixth meeting of SAARC finance ministers is scheduled to be held in Colombo, Sri Lanka on August 30, 2013 preceded by the finance secretaries meet a day in advance. SAARC finance ministers usually meet within the first quarter of every year to take stock of macroeconomic developments and outlook …

The Royal Civil Service Commission, Royal University of Bhutan, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Labour and Human Resources, Gross Nation-al Happiness Commission, Bhutan Narcotics Control Agency, Royal Bhutan Police, National Commission for Women and Children and RE-NEW endorsed the proposal to establish Bhutan Board for Certified Counselor …

Introduction This seven-part article analyses the causes and cures of the INR shortage from a macro-economic point of view. It will cover the following topics: (2) purposes of foreign currency reserves, (3) options after running down reserves, (3) first cause of INR shortage: excessive monetary growth, (4) second cause of …