In the quiet slopes of Rollong, Mongar’s Narang Gewog, mango trees planted years ago by parents and grandparents are doing more than bearing fruit, they are quietly transforming household incomes and local routines. For 27-year-old Pema Dechen of Pangkhang village, the mango season is not just a few weeks of …
Read More »Banks begin consultations and reviews following RMA’s loan restructuring measures
Following an announcement by the Royal Monetary Authority (RMA) on loan restructuring support measures regarding the loan deferral which ended on the 30th June, the Financial Institutions (FIs) have begun responding with internal reviews and client consultations. RMA introduced seven restructuring options, including interest-only payments and payment moratoriums for up …
Read More »GST to begin in 2026 as Parliament balances reform with past failures
Bhutan’s long-delayed Goods and Services Tax (GST) will finally take effect from 1st January 2026, following the National Assembly’s endorsement of the GST (Amendment) Bill 2025 recently. Lawmakers rejected the National Council (NC)’s proposal to implement the tax immediately, citing the need for proper preparation and public awareness to avoid …
Read More »Break up of Nu 530 mn ESP program for cinema halls, digital content, films, series, fashion week, creative camps, theater
Nu 530 million has been budgeted for the Creative Industry. The Minister for Industry, Commerce and Employment Namgyal Dorji said from the ESP of Nu 530 mn for Creative Industries and Media Nu 279.5 mn is for Creative industries and around Nu 190 mn is for two film halls. He …
Read More »Government launches strategy to bring back youth and boost the economy
In response to the growing impact of youth migration on businesses, public services, and national productivity, the government has unveiled one of the most ambitious economic revitalisation plans to date. The strategy focuses on creating meaningful employment opportunities within Bhutan to curb the outflow of educated youth and strengthen the …
Read More »Bhutan’s internet struggles: Terrain, costs, and rising demand shape the digital landscape
Internet fluctuations continue to affect daily life across Bhutan, driven by a combination of rugged geography, rising data consumption, and the financial realities of network expansion. The Minister of Industry, Commerce and Employment (MoICE) Namgyal Dorji explained that these challenges are deeply linked to both physical and economic constraints. In …
Read More »Bhutan steps up fight against digital scams targeting vulnerable groups
Amid a steady rise in scam calls and digital fraud across Bhutan, authorities are intensifying efforts to protect those most at risk, elderly citizens, rural residents, and young jobseekers who often have limited digital literacy. The Department of Law and Order (DLO), working closely with the Royal Bhutan Police, Royal …
Read More »MoAL Moves to Make Agriculture More Inclusive for Persons with Disabilities
In line with the values of Gross National Happiness (GNH) and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Bhutan’s Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MoAL) is taking steps to make agriculture more inclusive for persons with disabilities (PWDs) according to the MoAL Minister Younten Phuntsho. While MoAL’s primary mandate remains to enhance …
Read More »GST to bring in a large number of services under it
So far, the overwhelming focus of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) Bill has been on goods, in terms of the impact of GST on various goods like vehicles or locally manufactured goods, like cookies, steel, cement, etc. GST will replace the Bhutan Sales Tax (BST) that we currently pay …
Read More »Bhutan’s orange production declines sharply amid disease and aging orchards
Orange production in Bhutan continues to decline, with major citrus-growing districts such as Samtse seeing drastic reductions in output. Once a leading contributor to the citrus trade, Samtse has gone from exporting over 500 truckloads of oranges annually to just 18 truckloads in recent years. The primary cause of this …
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