The country’s international trade volume saw a modest increase in 2024, with exports rising by over Nu 7 billion (bn), a 19.6% increase and imports growing by nearly Nu 9 bn, 8.3% increase compared to the previous year. India continues to be Bhutan’s largest trading partner, accounting for the majority …

The hotel industry is very worried these days as the deferral for Hotel and Tourism loans worth Nu 13.508 billion (bn) comes to an end on 30th June 2025. These loans are for 503 loan accounts which are mainly hotel loans. In the last round of loan deferrals, Hotel and …

The Economic Stimulus Program (ESP) has received a total of 3,969 applications for Concessional Credit Lines (CCLs) under Window 1 worth Nu 8.997 billion (bn) as of 28th February 2025. Of the above, 892 applications worth Nu 860.54 million (mn) were approved and 960 applications worth Nu 4.5 bn declined, …

Bhutan received 5,499 tourists in February 2025, which is 268 fewer than in February 2024, when 5,767 visitors arrived. This may be early in the year but it is not a good sign as last year Bhutan could not achieve the 150,000 tourists’ target. It also shows that while various …

As per reports from the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources (MoENR), the water seepage issue in Punatsangchu Hydropower Project Authority II (PHPA II) near the control system has reduced. The drilling of drainage holes around the pressure shaft bottom is ongoing, with 55% of the work completed so far. …

The country is accelerating efforts to expand its renewable energy sector, with multiple hydropower and solar projects in various stages of development. The government recently secured a concessional loan from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) to finance two small hydropower projects—the 90 MW Jomori and 26 MW Druk Bindu …

The government has allocated Nu 13.3 billion (bn) for total debt servicing in FY 2024/25, a decrease from Nu 14.6 bn in the previous fiscal year. This includes both principal repayments and interest payments for domestic and external debt obligations. Debt servicing through the budget increased significantly in FY 2023/24, …

The Community for Skilled Workers (C4SW), launched on 22nd February 2025, was established to develop a skilled national workforce, address the demand for local expertise, and reduce underemployment, thereby contributing to economic growth. Currently, the initiative includes 261 workers—21 female and 240 male. Among them, 185 are certified, while 50 …

In a major push to strengthen Bhutan’s startup ecosystem and private sector, the government has announced a USD 100 million initiative aimed at fostering entrepreneurship, innovation, and economic growth. The program is designed to provide structured funding and capacity-building support for startups and small to medium enterprises (SMEs), with a …

The industrial sector remains heavily dominated by small-scale industries, which make up over 70% of the country’s 13,008 active industry licenses, according to recent data. While cottage industries account for nearly 25%, medium and large industries remain a minority. The latest statistics reveal that among the total active industry licenses, …