Thinley Namgay

The Small Development Project Committee (SDPC) from Bhutan and India approved 70 projects worth Nu about 1.25 billion (B) for the 12th Five Year Plan in Thimphu yesterday.

The approved projects are for the development of local governments in areas such as water supply, urban infrastructure, farms roads, irrigation channels, bridges and infrastructure in health and education.

These projects are expected to enhance the livelihoods of rural communities by enhancing accessibility, economic and job opportunities, and food security. “These projects are also timely as they will help to revive the economy amid the Covid-19 pandemic,” a joint press release from the committee stated.

Of the Nu 45 billion (B) approved by India for the 12th Five Year Plan, Nu 8.5B is committed for the SDPs. So far, Bhutan received about Nu 3.34B  for the projects which amounts to 39.41 percent of the total fund committed.

Bhutanese delegation was led by the foreign ministry’s Director of the Department of Bilateral Affairs, Sonam Tobgay. Second Secretary (Economic) of the Embassy of India in Thimphu, Nidhi Dhiman, headed the Indian delegation.

Sonam Tobgay thanked the government of India for their support through SDPs, the projects that began in the 10th Plan. 

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