BBSCL

Bhutanese living abroad collectively remitted more than USD 210 M between August last year and October this year, according to the Central Bank’s monthly statistical bulletin. December last year saw the highest monthly remittance, nearly USD 29 M. Australia emerged as the top source of remittances, with contributions rising from USD 1.87 M in August 2023 to a peak of...

Non-performing loans or NPLs with the financial institutions surged to a staggering more than Nu 8bn by October this year. This is a jump of over Nu 1.16bn in just a year. Of the sectors, trade & commerce tops the list while the forestry and logging sector saw a sharp decline. Any loans that are overdue by 91 days or...

The National Health Survey 2023 reveals that areca nut consumption among Bhutanese aged 15 to 69 rose to nearly 60 per cent last year, marking a three per cent increase since 2019. The health ministry attributes the rise to the product being cheap, easily available and culturally accepted in the country. To address this, the ministry plans to introduce measures...

Our roots and heritage often define our identity, connecting us to the tools and traditions of our forefathers. However, as modernisation transforms daily life, many timeless artefacts have disappeared from Bhutanese households. In a bid to preserve these cultural treasures, residents of Bartsham Gewog in Trashigang have inaugurated a community museum. Supported by JICA, the museum aims to safeguard and...