NEWS

Damchoe Pem/ Thimphu After holding a successful 5th Edition of the Royal Highland Festival in Laya, Gasa, the dzongkhag is already making plans to make the 6th edition of the festival more attractive and momentous. The festival is not just seen as a platform to promote the culture and products …

United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and Bhutan share an excellent relationship, yet there are rooms to improve, says Aum Azusa Kubota the outgoing UNDP Bhutan Resident Representative. Being in Bhutan, “I have learned to be compassionate, and had it not been for Bhutan and COVID-19, I don’t think I would …

Lyonpo Dr Tandi Dorji, Minister for Foreign Affairs, graced the Opening Ceremony of the Japan Week 2022 at the Clock Tower Square on 15 October. Mr Kawazu Kunihiko, Chargé d’affaires  Embassy of Japan, and officials from the Embassy of Japan and the Japan Foundation in New Delhi attended the event. …

Main strategy to build reserves is through external borrowing The Prime Minister Dasho (Dr) Lotay Tshering said that as per the government’s calculation a Convertible Currency reserve of USD 668 mn is enough for 12 months of essential imports and currently the reserves are at USD 850 mn plus. “We …

After almost three years of pause due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, and with about 400 people, including 250 international participants from more than 30 countries, the 4th International Vajrayana Buddhism Conference will take place starting today till 4 October at Zhichenkhar. The conference has a record number of speakers comprising …

World Health Organization (WHO) has developed a strategic preparedness and response plan with the hope to end the acute phase of COVID-19 but not the end of COVID-19.  Regional Emergency Director of WHO Health Emergencies Programme, WHO South-East Asian Region (SEAR), Dr Edwin Salvador, said COVID-19 can never be eradicated. …

Food imports and exports were interrupted in 2020 owing to border restrictions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The most difficult challenge in exporting vegetables in 2021 was the Government of India (GoI) formalization of trade. Only asparagus was listed for export.  Previously, a cardamom export issue surfaced, and the government …

During the 75th session of the Regional Committee for WHO South-East Asia held in Paro Bhutan, the member countries committed to resilient health systems, accelerating multisectoral actions to address priority health issues and re-energizing comprehensive primary health services to build societies that are more inclusive, equitable and resilient against present …

After the announcement from the Thimphu Thromde’s Entertainment Licensing Committee (ELC), the Karaoke bars and clubs are being suspended for failing to fulfill the technical standards. They were given until 30 November 2022 to make modifications, and until then the business would be suspended. However, the President of Bhutan Chambers of …

The new Ambassador of India to Bhutan, His Excellency Mr. Sudhakar Dalela, presented his credentials to His Majesty The King at the Throne Room of the Tashichhodzong on 20 August.  The Ambassador was escorted in a Chipdrel ceremony to the Dzong for the ceremony.  The Ambassador, his wife Ms. Namrata Dalela, …