Climate change to be the theme of Thimpu SAARC Summit; Japan providing funds for cyclone Aila relief and rehabilitation; Bangladeshi products to attract zero-tariff on entry into Bhutan; Ratan Tata meets PM Thinley, to expand their presence in Bhutan
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    • Bhutan’s Foreign Minister Lyonpo Ugyen Tshering, on a visit to Sri Lanka from February 18-19 met his counterpart Rohitha Bogollagama and discussed a range of issues pertaining to the forthcoming SAARC summit. Climate Change will be the theme of the summit.1 The issue of locating the Secretariat for the SAARC Development Fund (SDF) in Thimphu was also discussed.

    Japan is to provide Bhutan a grant of $91,867 for work relating to reinforcing the banks of the Duchu and Pachu rivers in Paro that were seriously damaged by cyclone Aila in May 2009. The grant is part of the $2 million commitment made by the Japanese for relief and reconstruction activities.2 The Japanese government is also involved in rural road construction activities having provided a grant of $6 million.3

    As part of the preferential trade agreement between Bangladesh and Bhutan, Bangladeshi products will now attract zero-tariff on entry into Bhutan. As part of the terms of the agreement, focus areas where greater synergies could be achieved include housing, energy and power, cement, garments, packaging and tea.4

    The Chairman of the Tata group Ratan Tata met with PM Lyonchhen Jigmi Thinley and expressed an interest in increasing his company’s presence in the country beyond the hydropower sector. PM Thinley welcomed the move and stated that “Bhutan aimed to be economically self-reliant through investments in hydropower, tourism, organic branding and positioning itself as a regional service hub in the fields of finance, education and health.”5

    In other developments, the chairman of the United Revolutionary Front of Bhutan, Ramesh Subba was short dead in Jhapa, Nepal. Reports indicated that the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) might have played a role in the killing.6 Subba had announced the establishment of URFB in Samste district and declared an armed rebellion for the establishment of a republic of Bhutan.

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