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...

Clothing and handicraft vendors operating their businesses near the Centenary Farmers’ Market in Thimphu are struggling with dwindling customers due to the ongoing Kuendelling Bazam renovation. While Thimphu Thromde has set a 15-month deadline for the bridge’s completion, shopkeepers said they were not adequately informed about the project’s impact and relocation plans. The bridge reconstruction will cost Nu 33 M....

Bhutan’s electric vehicle taxi initiative has spiralled into confusion, with millions in subsidies unaccounted for and dozens of EV taxis still undelivered. Now, the Prime Minister has stepped in, ordering the Cabinet Secretariat to launch an urgent investigation into the matter. The ambitious “Sustainable Low Emission Urban Transport Systems” project targeted to replace 300 fuelled taxis with electric vehicles by...

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....