A common and often repeated narrative in the national discourse is on the relative backwardness of Bhutan’s Eastern region compared to other regions of the country. The government, in an ambitious effort, has come up with and given in principal approval to a 30 page plan called ‘East Development Initiative’ …

There is more to the recent and heated Dzongkhag Tshogdu (DT) meeting in Trashiyangtse, in which local government leaders expressed apprehensions against the Kholongchu project hiring outsiders instead of the locals who would be affected by the project. The DT has raised objections saying that they heard that a labor …

Though sale of vehicle quotas have been banned for both MPs and civil servants since 2000 with the ‘Sales Tax, Customs and Excise 2000’, there has been little or no effect on the sale of vehicle quotas. The same Act which was amended as recently as 2012 even made it …

The Anti Corruption Commission (ACC) is in the final stages of handing over the Lhakhang Karpo report to the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) for prosecution. This case could turn out to be the first major embarrassment to the PDP government as sources indicate that the then Haa Dzongda …

In an era of high and super high vehicle taxes, especially on third country imports, like Toyota Prado, Toyota Land Cruiser and other luxury vehicles, the lack of any ceiling on MPs’ vehicle quotas could potentially turn some of them into overnight millionaires. This is because the two vehicles, Toyota …

A key component of the Economic Stimulus Plan (ESP) which is the Business Opportunity and Information Center (BOIC) will start its activities from the 27th of August, 2014 according to the Minister for Economic Affairs, Lyonpo Norbu Wangchuk. The BOIC will start accepting applications for Nu 1.9 bn worth of …

Financial Institutions feel that the tough conditions would restrict credit growth and hit the economy The Financial Institutions Association of Bhutan (FIAB) which met on 18th July to discuss the Royal Monetary Authority (RMA) draft guidelines reopening housing, vehicle and consumer loans has decided to ask the RMA to do …

Banks are happy about the move but want the RMA to increase the cap on housing loans After floating the draft guidelines on Housing, Vehicle and Consumer loans last week, the Royal Monetary Authority (RMA) has now announced that it would allow banks to reopen Housing, Vehicle and Consumer loans …

Claims that 5 percent hike in fuel prices should not lead to rise in prices The government’s Task Force to fight inflation had its first meeting on Thursday chaired by the Minister for Economic Affairs Lyonpo Norbu Wangchuk. The terms of reference of the multi sectoral committee (see box) is …

Finance Minister says whatever the decision mobility of civil servants and livelihood of drivers will be taken care of One of the much discussed recommendations of the Pay Commission was on doing away with the 932 out of the 1,484 pool vehicles. The Pay Commission came up with the recommendation …