There has been much discussion and misinformation on the Media Enterprise Development Program (MEDB). It is incumbent on this paper to share the facts of this public program that has made a major positive impact on the Private Media. MEDB facts Since 2010 there was a steady decline in government …

Financial Institutions (FIs), businesses and the government are all watching with concern as 30th June 2025 approaches – when the Nu 34.141 billion (bn) in loan deferrals granted for a year from July 2024 comes to an end. In June 2024 the Phase 4 monetary measures of the Royal Monetary …

Bhutan has 8 Financial Institutions (FIs) and 6 of them have all made less profits in 2024 than in 2023 with only two exceptions. The Bhutan National Bank (BNB) which is usually a star performer every year made only Nu 660.95 million (mn) in profits in 2024 after taxes compared …

Bhutan has not been left out of US President Donald Trump’s new tariff policy that slaps varying degrees of trade tariffs across the world. Bhutan has been slapped with 10% tariffs which means Bhutan’s exports to the USA will be 10% more expensive. The tariffs hit every trade partner of …

As Bhutan gears up for the long-delayed implementation of the Goods and Services Tax (GST), the upcoming Parliamentary Session  is set to introduce significant tax reforms. These include proposed reductions and changes to the Personal Income Tax (PIT), Business Income Tax (BIT), and Corporate Income Tax (CIT)—all aimed at easing the transition into …

When Coke writes something negative about Pepsi then Coke should tread carefully, as the inherent conflict of interest is obvious to the audience. Any claims made must be backed by solid evidence and verifiable facts; otherwise, Coke risks being dismissed as biased or even legally challenged as defamatory. The same …

A common complaint from small and medium sized businesses these days, like shops, restaurants, etc., is that their estimated Business Income Tax (BIT) has gone up considerably. The common explanation provided so far to them has been that their tax is higher since the tax is now assessed on the …

On 4th March 2025 the Prime Minister Dasho Tshering Tobgay said the Cabinet has approved the slashing of mobile phone data charges by 50%. There was no timeline or details given beyond this leading to questions. This paper has learnt that it will take another 3 to 4 months before …

With so far average tourism numbers in January and February 2025 comparable to 2024 and Nu 13.508 billion (bn) in deferred hotel loans coming to an end by June 2025, there is now a growing sense of urgency within the government on increasing the numbers. The main mantra, till date, …

An article by the New York Times that said that Bhutan is a on a draft ‘Red List’ along with 11 other countries for a complete travel ban to the USA set alarm bells ringing in Bhutan, and it made global and regional news as well. A Reuters article published …