The Bhutanese Leading the way.
The revised capital budget allocation for Ministry of Information and Communication (MoIC) during the 12th Five Year Plan (FYP) is Nu 3,490 mn, of which Nu 340.555 mn will be spent in the fiscal year June 2018 to July 2019 where the main priorities are satellite, film studio, cinema, air transport and road transport, according to the draft 12th plan report prepared by MOIC.
An official from Policy and Planning Division (PPD) under MOIC said, “In the coming year, the Ministry is focusing on five major projects like construction of space building, construction of film studio, construction of cinema hall in five dzongkhags, replacement of Internal Combustion Engine vehicles with electric vehicles and air service agreement with United Arab Emirates (UAE)”.
The official said, “In order to promote the art of Bhutanese filmmaking, Nu 80 mn will be allotted for the construction of film studio. In the absence of film studio, film industry has been confronted with so many challenges though film industry boomed within a short period of time”.
MOIC official said, “Nu 25 mn has been allotted for the construction of cinema hall in five dzongkhags like Samdrup Jongkhar, Gelephu, Wangdue, Tsirang and Trashigang”.
He said, “The capital budget allotted for the installation of 23 quick charging stations is Nu 69 mn. The ministry in collaboration with Global Environment Facility (GEF) under United Nation Development Programme (UNDP) will install 23 quick charging stations which include Thimphu, Paro, Punakha, Chukha, Haa and Wangdue Phodrang”.
“The Ministry will work on replacement of 300 Internal Combustion Engine taxis with electric vehicle and installation of 23 quick charging stations over a period of three years. The project has greater national significance with its direct relevance to reducing emission from the transport sector, thereby strengthening environment conservation efforts in Bhutan”, he added.
Under Bhutan Civil Aviation Authority (BCAA), he said, “The Ministry is exploring viable options for Aviation Corporation with UAE. The Ministry has prepared air service agreement and submitted it to the government and it shall be discussed during the first parliament session”.
He also said, “Apart from five major projects, the Ministry will also expand Yonphula Domestic Airport in Trashigang, construct terminal building in Bumthang, construct security quarters in Gelephu and promote reliable and safe public transport”.
