Recent reports of India’s withdrawal of transshipment facilities for goods from Bangladesh which raised concerns in Bhutan, particularly since Bangladesh is a significant trade partner, has been clarified by the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, and Employment (MoICE). MoICE clarified that these changes do not affect Bhutan’s imports or exports with …

Hoteliers have raised concerns over T Bank’s recent decision to increase interest rates on existing loans, a move they fear could further destabilize their already fragile financial situation of the hotel industry. A hotelier, who availed a capital loan in 2018 for hotel construction, expressed concerns over the upward revision …

While the economy is expected to grow strongly in 2025, with the ADB projecting an 8.5% rise in GDP, the ferro alloy industry is facing challenges due to global uncertainty and local issues. Despite the positive economic outlook, some ferro alloy producers say they are not benefiting as much as …

From issues ranging from staffing, human resources to the Sustainable Development Fee (SDF), hoteliers in Trashigang, Mongar, and Trashiyangtse speak to the factors affecting tourist flows and occupancy in the east. The Chairman of the Association of Bhutanese Tour Operators (ABTO) noted that while the industry is not asking for …

The government’s manifesto has a section highlighting a commitment to creating an inclusive society for persons with disabilities (PWDs), with policy measures ranging from implementing the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) to increasing funding for inclusive education and employment support. However, despite these policies, organizations and …

The private sector is urging key reforms to the Economic Stimulus Plan (ESP), stating the slow disbursement of funds, procedural hurdles, and limited sectoral coverage as major roadblocks to its effectiveness. Upon invitation from the Economic and Finance Committee (EFC) of the National Assembly, the Bhutan Chamber of Commerce and …

The Economic Stimulus Plan (ESP) has been introduced to support various sectors of the economy through financial aid, concessional loans, and fiscal measures. The plan focuses on helping women and youth entrepreneurs, farmers, small industries, and key industries such as tourism, film, and construction. This is also largely in line …

In January 2024, tourists generated USD 3 million in revenue. However, in January 2025, there was again USD mn due to a notable increase in Indian tourist arrivals, which grew by 11.21% compared to a slight decline in other tourists. In February 2024, countries other than India tourists (COTI) earned …

In January and February 2025, the country received a total of USD 36.9 million in remittances, compared to USD 28.3 million during the same period in 2024. This marks a growth of 30.4 percent in the first two months of the year. The start of 2025 has seen a notable …

 Although Bhutan ratified the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) in 2023 and has had a National Disability Policy in place since 2019, there is still minimal inclusion of Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) in the workplace, and CSOs face funding challenges. The Industry Census Report …