The National Statistics Bureau (NSB) has finally released the much delayed Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth rate for 2018 and it shows that the economy had its second worst year ever on record with GDP touching 3.03 percent. The last time Bhutan’s economy had such poor numbers was after the …

The company is in the midst of root and stem reforms to deal with the fall out RICBL is Bhutan’s largest insurance company and handles all life insurance and most vehicle, equipment, projects, building and other insurance The country’s biggest and oldest insurance company is in unchartered waters as it …

The DNT government in its 2018 manifesto says it will recover Nu 10 bn by strengthening the tax collection system and avoiding tax evasion. This has become all the more imperative as the government faces a Nu 40 bn deficit in the 12th plan to meet its many pledges, some …

One of the main agendas of the Foreign Minister, Lyonpo Tandi Dorji during his recent trip to India was to try and find a solution to untangling the 2560 MW Sunkosh project which is currently stuck due differences between the two countries on the implementation modality. Bhutan wants to implement …

The ACC investigation of the BHEL case, while not finding any criminal culpability, said that the appointment of the local agent Bhutan Ventures Trading (BVT) by BHEL for a commission fee cost an additional financial burden of Nu 197.897 mn to the country in buying equipment from BHEL for the …

Bhutan’s Financial Institutions have lent out Nu 130.519 bn till July 2019 which is on the back of unprecedented credit growth in the last few years. By comparison in July 2013 the total credit was only Nu 58.117 bn. However, a slowdown is in effect with FI’s either turning away …

The Trongsa land case verdict (story on pg 5)  convicting the current JDWNRH President and former Trongsa Dzongda Lhab Dorji for five years, his wife Karma Tshetim Dolma for six years, former Drakteng Gup Tenzin for six years, former Judge of the Trongsa court Ugyen Tenzin for 18 months, former …

The much delayed Kholongchu project in Trashiyangtse might see the two sides agreeing to sign the vital Concession Agreement within the next few months which could be by the end of the year or early next year. Once the CA is signed then the major works like dam, head race …

The issues if not resolved threatens to derail power production from Bhutan’s highest tariff earning project On September 28th one of the four units of the 720 MW Mangdechu Hydroelectric Project had to be suspended and put offline. The brake system of the turbine applied itself when the turbine was …

If all goes to plan the Bank of Bhutan (BoB) may become the first Bhutanese bank to have its own branch in India. The BoB around two months ago applied to the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to open a branch office in India. There is hope in Bhutan that …