BBSCL

Bhutanese entrepreneurs and businesses will benefit from equity financing as the government moves to foster a dynamic startup and innovation ecosystem. In line with its commitment of USD 100 M, the government will soon sign an agreement with a globally renowned venture capital firm. The Minister for Industry, Commerce, and Employment said that an open, accessible, and transparent application process...

Local leaders in Chhukha, especially of larger gewogs, are worried about the decline in their block grant budget for the 13th Five-Year Plan. During the recent Dzongkhag Tshogdu, they raised concerns over the Resource Allocation Formula used in distributing the grant. They said that it will widen the economic development gap between larger and smaller gewogs. The local leaders are...

As the country faces the rising threat of Non-Communicable Diseases or NCDs, the health ministry is now equipping religious leaders with the knowledge and skills to reduce preventable health risks. During the last two days, health coordinators from the Central Monastic Body and the Chhoedey Lhentshog across six eastern districts took part in an NCD prevention training in Samdrup Jongkhar....

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....