January 04, 2009: After years of neglect, the Bhutanese bureaucracy, political circle and the business community are finally realizing the economic potentiality of the southern border towns, and in general that of the south. Almost three decades of hatred had almost ruined this potentiality. Revising it takes another few years, after which southern Bhutan many … Read more
January 02, 2009: he three-day workshop on media ethics organised for Bhutanese media professionals came to an end yesterday, with Dr Venkat Iyer, barrister and lecturer at the University of Ulster, speaking about the journalistic ethics of reporting on vulnerable individuals and groups in society. The session also covered the pros and cons of prejudicial … Read more
January 03, 2009: It is regular news that political instability and strikes in neighboring states have affected businesses, travel and lives in Bhutan. But normal situation in Indian states also started creating problems in Bhutan. The massive flow of cheap Chinese goods into Indian market has attracted Bhutanese buyers as well. Since Bhutan does not … Read more
Bhutan, a Himalayan kingdom of 635,000 people, geographically located between China and India, has one of the highest per capita incomes in South Asia at over $2,000. Bhutan is a very peace loving and friendly country and its people are happy and prosperous. On November 6, 2008, formal coronation of 29-year-old Bhutanese King Jigme Khesar … Read more
December 29, 2009: The Bhutan Information, Communication and Media Authority (BICMA) has again cut off over a dozen foreign television channels from Bhutanese cable lines last week. With this order, the Bhutanese cable operators are allowed to distribute only 40 television channels. The restricted channels include a number of sports and a few movie channels. … Read more
December 29, 2009: The possibly-smallest stock market in the world is likely to get out of box in near future as government starts mulling for allowing private brokerage firms to operate. The only stock exchange of the country, Royal Securities Exchange of Bhutan Ltd. (RSEBL), established in 1993 still operates in dormant with four computers … Read more
December 27, 2009: The first Nomadic festival organized by the government kicked off amid special inauguration ceremony attended by Agriculture Minister Dr Pema Gyamtsho at Wangchuck Centennial Park in Bumthang. Senior government officials, members of parliament and tourist as well graced the festival on the first day. The first day of festival attracted over a … Read more
December 22, 2009: Dissatisfied with the government draft of new economic development policy, especially allowing 100 percent foreign investment in certain sectors, Bhutan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) has submitted a memo to the government compiling the list of its grievances. Though the prime minister and the cabinet on August 5 had given assurances … Read more
December 20, 2009: King Jigme Khesar Namgyal Wangchuk has appointed a long-serving High Court chief, having no certification on legal studies, Sonam Tobgye as the new Chief Justice of the country. The six-member Royal Commission formed on November 19 recommended former chief justice of the High Court of Bhutan as the new Chief Justice of … Read more
November 20, 2009 was the opening day of the 4th Session of the National Assembly of Bhutan. I awaited the arrival of the day like an excited little boy. I cancelled or postponed all my other engagements in order that I can be in Thimphu to attend the Opening Session. But when the day finally … Read more