Bhutan to open doors to 100 percent FDI in agriculture

The Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MoAL) has proposed a major change in the foreign direct investment (FDI) rules and regulations, specifically for the agriculture sector, to allow 100 percent foreign equity investment. The new FDI rules have been submitted to the cabinet for approval. Currently, the MoAL is in discussions with four foreign companies—PRAN […]

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Bhutan’s Gelephu ‘Mindfulness City’ A Global Game-Changer. Know All About It

Bhutan, considered one of the happiest countries in the world, is working on a mega project, one that has the potential to redefine not just how sustainable living can be achieved, but become a global model unlike any other in the world today. The project – a mega ‘Mindfulness City’ in Gelephu. The Gelephu ‘Mindfulness […]

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Bhutan targets doubling GDP by 2029 through entrepreneurship

In a move to double the nation’s gross domestic product from USD 2.5 billion to USD 5 billion by 2029, the government is emphasising the vital role of entrepreneurship and business as key drivers of this “ambitious” goal. However, concerns linger regarding whether entrepreneurs are receiving sufficient support from the government to enhance their business […]

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Bhutan PM highlights economic growth as key to closing wage gap

During the 9th meet-the-press, Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay addressed the persistent wage gap between Bhutan’s public and private sectors, acknowledging that this disparity remains a challenge for economic equality. He said that while salary alone cannot meet the needs of workers, bridging this gap was critical, and achieving it required robust economic development. The Prime […]

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Gender pay gap in Bhutan: Women earn less in both urban and rural areas

Despite the overall employment rate of nearly 97 percent, there are significant disparities in the labour market, particularly between rural and urban areas and across genders. The latest Labour Force Survey Quarterly Report (LFSQR) reveals that women are underrepresented in higher-paying jobs and earn less than their male counterparts. In the third quarter, the total […]

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Government of Bhutan to review ICM Act to strengthen cyber security

In the past four years, Bhutan recorded 650 cases of cybersecurity threats and attacks, with 204 incidents occurring in 2024 alone. These cases range from abusive content and fraud to system vulnerabilities and intrusion attempts. In response to these escalating threats, the Bhutan Computer Incident Response Team (BtCIRT) under GovTech plans to implement the action […]

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Bhutan Government slashes tourist arrival targets

Given the ongoing trend of tourist arrival in the country, the government has significantly lowered its annual targets for tourist arrivals, aiming for 150,000 visitors this year and 250,000 next year. This is according to the macroeconomic situation report recently published by the Department of Macro-fiscal and Development Finance under the Ministry of Finance. The […]

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Drukair signs deal with Airbus to purchase five new aircrafts for long-haul flights

In celebration of the 13th Royal Wedding Anniversary of Their Majesties, Drukair signed a Purchase Agreement with Airbus for five new aircraft, including three A320neo and two A321XLR models, in Paro yesterday. The three A320neo aircrafts will replace the two A319s ageing planes, ensuring the continuity and efficiency in their fleet operations. Drukair CEO Tandi […]

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Bhutan Govt. targets to extract 10.7 million cft of timber for export

The government plans to extract and export 10.7 million cubic feet (cft) of timber in 2024 as part of the Phase II nationwide scientific thinning operation. This announcement was made by the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, Gem Tshering, during the Meet-the-Press session yesterday. The Department of Forests and Park Services (DoFPS) has rolled […]

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Bhutan’s third satellite is being built cost-effectively and efficiently

GovTech is currently engaged in a third satellite project aimed at developing the satellite with minimal cost and in a short  time possible by employing lean satellite development principles. This new satellite will use commercially available components that are ready for assembly, in contrast to the previous INS-2B satellite, which was indigenously designed and developed by […]

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