The Drukyul Literature and Arts Festival, scheduled to take place from August 2 to 4, will introduce several new features this year. Among the highlights is the launch of the Jigme Singye Wangchuck (JSW) Prizes, which will be awarded for the first time starting next year, and the Bhutan Echoes …

The Director of Compliance and Enforcement at the Governor’s Office of the Gelephu Mindfulness City (GMC), Yeshi Choki, was a Director in the Audit and Assurance team in the prestigious international company, Deloitte in Australia. She could have stayed on in her job in Australia with a much higher pay …

According to the Opposition Party, the hotel industry, particularly 3-star establishments and below, continues to face severe economic distress, first triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic and later exacerbated by unintended impacts of the country’s revised tourism policy. Despite being one of the hardest-hit sectors, the Opposition stated that these hotels …

The hotel industry is currently engaged in discussions with the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Employment (MoICE) and the Department of Tourism (DoT) to address growing concerns over financial strain, falling occupancy rates, and limited access to government support. Hoteliers say that rising Sustainable Development Fees (SDF), high flight costs, …

A total of 13,671 tourists visited the country in the month of June this year, showing a 28.2 percent increase from the same month in 2024, when 10,667 tourists entered. Similarly, from January to June 2025, the total number of tourists reached 100,675. This is a 33.2 percent increase compared …

The Bhutan Innovation Lab, aimed at transforming how public policy is developed and implemented, was officially launched on 10th July in Thimphu by the Prime Minister (PM), Dasho Tshering Tobgay, and UNDP Resident Representative (RR), Mohammad Younus. Although inaugurated this month, the Lab has been operational for the past four …

Following an announcement by the Royal Monetary Authority (RMA) on loan restructuring support measures regarding the loan deferral which ended on the 30th June, the Financial Institutions (FIs) have begun responding with internal reviews and client consultations. RMA introduced seven restructuring options, including interest-only payments and payment moratoriums for up …

Bhutan has officially launched its partnership with Binance Pay, introducing a national-level cryptocurrency payment system aimed at international travellers. The Chief Executive Officer of Binance, Richard Teng, arrived in the country this week to mark the occasion. Alongside him, a group of international influencers from key global markets is currently …

The Punatsangchu-II Hydroelectric Project (PHPA II), is 99 percent complete as of the end of June 2025.  The target date for commissioning of units 5 and 6 are mid-July 2025 and mid-August 2025 respectively. There are no issues as of now for units 5 and 6. Assembly and erection works for …

The National Assembly (NA), on 24th June, rejected all recommendations from the National Council (NC) concerning the Budget Appropriation Bill for the fiscal year 2025–2026 and the Supplementary Budget Appropriation Bill for 2024–2025. Among the key proposals dismissed was the NC Economic Affairs Committee’s recommendation to remove Nu 45 million …