BBSCL

After four rounds of negotiations, Bhutan and Thailand signed the Free Trade Agreement today. The agreement allows the two countries to trade goods without paying customs duties on each other’s products. A customs duty is the tax imposed on imported goods. Thailand is the fourth largest trading partner of Bhutan. Ahead of the Sixth BIMSTEC Summit, which starts tomorrow, Industry,...

The Chhukha Dzongkhag Tshogdu has recently proposed the construction of a new 20-bed  hospital in Tsimalakha, following growing concerns over the deteriorating condition of the current facility. Health officials presented two options: either to construct a new 10-bed hospital or to repair the existing 20-bed hospital. The existing 20-bed hospital, which was constructed many decades ago, lies in awful condition...

Discussions are underway to amend the existing tobacco control laws in response to the growing use of e-cigarettes among Bhutanese youth. Health Secretary Pemba Wangchuk said that while traditional tobacco products and nicotine-containing e-cigarettes are taxed at 100 per cent, nicotine-free e-cigarettes are only taxed for the device. This highlights regulatory gaps for non-nicotine e-cigarettes, particularly those with flavored variants....

Almost everyone in Bhutan has access to improved water sources, but only 63 per cent have 24-hour access to drinking water. This was highlighted in a 2020 article by the former Resident Representative of UNDP Bhutan. Five years on, some still face water shortages in a water-rich country. Yarpheling village in Sarpang is home to around 140 households. Jerrycans and...