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Apart from the soaring temperatures farming communities across Bhutan are having a difficult time with the unusually scanty monsoon. Unofficial reports and anecdotal accounts from farmers at the Centenary farmers market, roadside vendor farmers, travelers and local government officials from Western, Southern, Eastern and Central Bhutan show that Bhutan’s agriculture …

In response to questions on the performance of the government which completed a year in office, the Prime Minister and other ministers highlighted various activities and successes in the past one year. The Home Minister Lyonpo Damcho Dorji said the government has done ‘fairly well’ in the last one year …

The Finance Minister Lyonpo Namgay Dorji confirmed that the Royal Monetary Authority (RMA) would be opening up housing, car and vehicle loans from mid August. Lyonpo said that his ministry had a series of meetings with the RMA on the opening up of loans and that loan guidelines were in …

The Labour Minister Lyonpo Ngeema Sangay Tshempo said that the Ministry of Labour and Human Resources (MoLHR) has ensured employment for 3,724 youth till date. He said that the ministry was working to employ more of them in the 2014-2015 financial year. He said, “The government pledged to give full …

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 …

A joint report by the Ministry of Economic Affairs and the National Statistical Bureau conclude that civil service pay hike would have a very minimal impact on inflation. It says that aggregate demand is not going to rise so much as to give inflationary pressure in the economy. “ This …

The price of eggs has shot up for the third time in this month alone. The sharp increase in the price is due to the recent high mortality case of poultry in Tsirang commercial farms and the hike in fuel price. Last week, a tray of eggs was sold at …

A new report by the Office of Consumer Protection under the Ministry of Economic Affairs which was drafted on the direction of the MoEA Minister Lyonpo Norbu Wangchuk highlights various recommendations to fight inflation. The report is titled ‘Report on Price Increases and Inflation,’ and was made in collaboration with …

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 …

While most of the focus has been on taxes being levied on vehicles and fuel most people are still unaware of the impending five percent tax on their telecommunication services imposed by the government’s Tax Bill. Though this is yet to come into effect, telecommunication service providers like Bhutan Telecom …