ROYAL MONETARY AUTHORITY

OF BHUTAN





ANNUAL REPORT 2003/2004


JANUARY 2005







































Postal Address Royal Monetary Authority of Bhutan
Post Box No. 154
Thimphu, Bhutan

Telephone 322540/323110/323111/323112
Cable "ROMA"
Telex 206 RMATPU BT.
Fax (975) 2-322847
E-mail [email protected]
Website www.rma.org.bt
CONTENTS
Page

PREFACE.....................................................................................................................1
BOARD OF DIRECTORS..........................................................................................2
MANAGEMENT.........................................................................................................3
ORGANIZATION CHART OF THE RMA.............................................................4
ABBREVIATIONS AND SYMBOLS........................................................................5
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY .........................................................................................8
KEY ECONOMIC INDICATORS (+) ....................................................................13
I. SECTORAL DEVELOPMENTS .........................................................................15

1. DOMESTIC ECONOMY ...............................................................................16
1.1. AGRICULTURE, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY, AND FORESTRY....................................16
1.2. MANUFACTURING, MINING, AND ELECTRICITY................................................17
1.3. CONSTRUCTION ................................................................................................18
1.4. TOURISM...........................................................................................................18
1.5. PRICES ..............................................................................................................19

2. MONEY AND BANKING STATISTICS......................................................22
2.1. MONETARY AND CREDIT DEVELOPMENTS........................................................22
2.2. MONETARY POLICY FRAMEWORK ....................................................................23
2.2.1. Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR) ......................................................................25
2.2.2. RMA Discount Bills ................................................................................25
2.3. REVIEW OF DEVELOPMENTS IN COMMERCIAL BANKING ..................................25
2.4. REVIEW OF DEVELOPMENTS IN OTHER FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS ....................27

3. EXTERNAL SECTOR....................................................................................30
3.1. OVERALL BALANCE OF PAYMENTS...................................................................30
3.1.1. Balance of Payments with India ..............................................................38
3.1.2. Balance of Payments with Countries Other Than India...........................39
3.2. EXTERNAL DEBT AND DEBT SERVICE...............................................................40
3.3. EXCHANGE RATE DEVELOPMENTS ...................................................................42

4. GOVERNMENT FINANCE...........................................................................44
4.1. REVENUE AND GRANTS ....................................................................................45
4.2. FOREIGN GRANTS .............................................................................................45
4.3. EXPENDITURE ...................................................................................................46
4.4. FINANCING OF THE DEFICIT ..............................................................................47

5. WORLD ECONOMY......................................................................................49
6. MACROECONOMIC INDICATORS FOR THE SAARC REGION........52
7. ANNUAL AUDITED ACCOUNTS OF THE RMA FOR 2003/2004 .........57


TABLES

TABLE 1.1: REAL GDP GROWTH BY SECTOR 1999 - 2003........................................18
TABLE 1.2: SELECTED TOURISM INDICATORS 1999-2003 .........................................18
TABLE 2.1: MONEY SUPPLY, M2 ITS COUNTERPARTS AND COMPONENTS.............23
TABLE 3.1: BHUTANS BALANCE OF PAYMENTS .......................................................31
TABLE 3.2: SELECTED TOP NON-POWER COMMODITY EXPORTS, 2003 ....................32
TABLE 3.3: SELECTED TOP COMMODITY IMPORTS, 2003..........................................34
TABLE 3.4: SUMMARY OF OVERALL INVISIBLES RECEIPTS .......................................35
TABLE 3.5: EXTERNAL DEBT INDICATORS ................................................................41
TABLE 5.1: SUMMARY OVERVIEW OF THE WORLD ECONOMIC OUTLOOK
PROJECTIONS...........................................................................................51
TABLE 6.1: SELECTED ECONOMIC INDICATORS FOR THE SAARC REGION ...............53


GRAPHS

GRAPH 1.1: SECTORAL COMPOSITION OF GDP .........................................................16
GRAPH 1.2: CONSUMER PRICE INDEX (PERCENTAGE CHANGE ON THE PREVIOUS YEAR)
..........................................................................................................................19
GRAPH 1.3: THIMPHU FOOD PRICE INDEX (PERCENTAGE CHANGE ON PREVIOUS YEAR)
..........................................................................................................................20
GRAPH 2.1: MONEY SUPPLY (END OF JUNE) .............................................................22
GRAPH 2.2: COMPOSITION OF COMMERCIAL BANKS RESERVES WITH THE RMA
(JUNE-END 2004)....................................................................................25
GRAPH 2.3: TYPES OF DEPOSITS OF COMMERCIAL BANKS........................................26
GRAPH 2.4: SECTOR-WISE INVESTMENT OF COMMERCIAL BANKS (JUNE 2004) ........26
GRAPH 2.5: SECTOR-WISE INVESTMENT OF NON-BANK FIS (JUNE 2004)..................27
GRAPH 3.1: BHUTAN: OVERALL BOP.......................................................................30
GRAPH 3.2: BHUTAN: CURRENT ACCOUNT...............................................................30
GRAPH 3.3: DEVELOPMENT OF POWER AND NON-POWER EXPORTS..........................32
GRAPH 3.4: COMPOSITION OF MERCHANDISE EXPORTS TO INDIA: 2003...................33
GRAPH 3.5: COMPOSITION OF MERCHANDISE EXPORTS TO COTI: 2003...................33
GRAPH 3.6: COMPOSITION OF MERCHANDISE IMPORTS FROM INDIA: 2003...............33
GRAPH 3.7: COMPOSITION OF MERCHANDISE IMPORTS FROM COTI: 2003...............34
GRAPH 3.8: EXPORTS OF GOODS BY DESTINATION....................................................35
GRAPH 3.9: IMPORTS OF GOODS BY ORIGIN..............................................................35
GRAPH 3.10: INVISIBLES RECEIPTS: 2003/2004 (P)...................................................36
GRAPH 3.11: INCOME PAYMENTS..............................................................................36
GRAPH 3.12: INVISIBLES PAYMENTS, 2003/2004 (P).................................................36
GRAPH 3.13: BHUTAN: CAPITAL AND FINANCIAL ACCOUNT ....................................37
GRAPH 3.14: GROSS INTERNATIONAL RESERVES ......................................................38
GRAPH 3.15: BOP WITH INDIA..................................................................................38
GRAPH 3.16: BOP WITH COTI..................................................................................39
GRAPH 3.17: MONTHLY MOVEMENTS, FY 2003/2004..............................................42
GRAPH 3.18: EXCHANGE RATE (BTN/US DOLLAR), FISCAL YEAR AVERAGE .........42
GRAPH 3.19: APPRECIATION/ DEPRECIATION OF BTN VIS--VIS USD.....................42
GRAPH 4.1: COMPOSITION OF TOTAL RESOURCES.....................................................45
GRAPH 4.2: COMPOSITION OF TOTAL EXPENDITURE .................................................46
GRAPH 4.3: DEFICIT FINANCING FOR THE 2003/2004 (R) BUDGET............................47
GRAPH 4.4: FISCAL BALANCE (% OF GDP)...............................................................47

BOXES

BOX 1.1. A NEW CPI AND TPI..................................................................................20
BOX 2.1. EVENTS IN THE FINANCIAL SECTOR, FY 2003/2004 ..................................28
BOX 3.1. POLICY MEASURES DURING 2003/2004......................................................40
BOX 3.2: EXCHANGE RATE DEVELOPMENTS IN INDIA, 2003/04................................43
BOX 4.1. FOCUS OF THE FINANCIAL YEAR 2003/2004 BUDGET................................44
BOX 4.2. SUMMARY OF THE FINANCIAL YEAR 2004/2005 BUDGET..........................48

II. STATISTICAL SECTION ..................................................................................58

TABLE 1. GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT AT FACTOR COST BY KIND OF ACTIVITY ......59
TABLE 2. GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT AT FACTOR COST BY KIND OF ACTIVITY AT
1980 PRICES...............................................................................................60
TABLE 3. SALES OF MAJOR INDUSTRIES....................................................................61
TABLE 4. SALES FROM POWER PROJECT OPERATIONS...............................................63
TABLE 5. TOURIST ARRIVALS AND REVENUES..........................................................64
TABLE 6. SUMMARY OF BUDGETARY OPERATIONS...................................................65
TABLE 7. SUMMARY OF THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX..............................................66
TABLE 8. THIMPHU FOOD PRICE INDEX.....................................................................67
TABLE 9. INDIAN WHOLESALE PRICE INDEX (WPI) OF ALL COMMODITIES..............68
TABLE 10. ROYAL MONETARY AUTHORITY OF BHUTAN - MONEY AND BANKING
STATISTICS...............................................................................................69
TABLE 11. AUCTIONS/TAP SALES OF RMA BILLS ....................................................71
TABLE 12. BANK OF BHUTAN - MONEY AND BANKING STATISTICS..........................72
TABLE 13. BHUTAN NATIONAL BANK - MONEY AND BANKING STATISTICS.............74
TABLE 14. DEPOSIT MONEY BANKS MONEY AND BANKING STATISTICS ...............76
TABLE 15. MONETARY SURVEY................................................................................78
TABLE 16. ROYAL INSURANCE CORPORATION OF BHUTAN LIMITED - FINANCIAL
STATISTICS...............................................................................................80
TABLE 17. BHUTAN DEVELOPMENT FINANCE CORPORATION FINANCIAL STATISTICS
..............................................................................................................82
TABLE 18. FINANCIAL SECTOR INVESTMENT BY ECONOMIC ACTIVITY.....................84
TABLE 19. OVERALL BALANCE OF PAYMENTS ESTIMATES .......................................85
TABLE 20. BALANCE OF PAYMENTS ESTIMATES WITH INDIA....................................86
TABLE 21. BALANCE OF PAYMENTS ESTIMATES WITH COUNTRIES OTHER THAN INDIA
..............................................................................................................87
TABLE 22. GROSS INTERNATIONAL RESERVES..........................................................88
TABLE 23A. COMPOSITION OF TRADE WITH INDIA (IMPORTS) ..................................89
TABLE 23B. COMPOSITION OF TRADE WITH INDIA (EXPORTS) ..................................89
TABLE 24A. COMPOSITION OF TRADE WITH COUNTRIES OTHER THAN INDIA
(IMPORTS)..............................................................................................90
TABLE 24B. COMPOSITION OF TRADE WITH COUNTRIES OTHER THAN INDIA
(EXPORTS) .............................................................................................90
TABLE 25. DIRECTION OF TRADE ..............................................................................91
TABLE 26. CONVERTIBLE CURRENCY AND RUPEE LOAN DISBURSEMENTS...............92
TABLE 27. DEBT SERVICING - YEAR-WISE EXPENDITURE ON EXTERNAL DEBT
CONVERTIBLE CURRENCY AND RUPEE.....................................................94
TABLE 28. BHUTANS OUTSTANDING EXTERNAL DEBT FISCAL YEAR POSITION ...96
TABLE 29. EXTERNAL DEBT OUTSTANDING BY INDIVIDUAL CREDITOR CATEGORIES ..
..............................................................................................................97
TABLE 30. BHUTANS DEBT SERVICE PAYMENTS BY CREDITOR CATEGORIES..........98
TABLE 31. FOREIGN DEBT INDICATORS FOR CONVERTIBLE CURRENCY LOANS........99
TABLE 32. RUPEE DEBT INDICATORS ......................................................................100
TABLE 33. THE ROYAL SECURITIES EXCHANGE OF BHUTAN, INFORMATION ON
LISTED COMPANIES................................................................................101
TABLE 34. EXCHANGE RATE, NGULTRUM/US DOLLAR..........................................103
TABLE 35. EXCHANGE RATE, JAPANESE YEN/US DOLLAR.....................................104
TABLE 36. EXCHANGE RATE, EURO/US DOLLAR ...................................................105

III. ANNEXURES....................................................................................................106

ANNEX I. THE ROYAL MONETARY AUTHORITY OF BHUTAN: FUNCTIONS,
RESTRUCTURING, FUTURE PLANS, AND PROJECTS IN THE PIPELINE ........107
ANNEX II. CHRONOLOGY OF IMPORTANT FINANCIAL SECTOR DEVELOPMENTS......116
ANNEX III. FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS .....................................................................120
ANNEX IV. TOURISM...............................................................................................133
ANNEX V. THE POWER SECTOR IN BHUTAN............................................................139
ANNEX VI. INTEREST RATES...................................................................................146
ANNEX VII. AN OVERVIEW OF DEVELOPMENTS IN THE FINANCIAL SECTOR (2003)150
ANNEX VIII. BHUTANS EXTERNAL DEBT: A STATUS REPORT ..............................156
ANNEX IX. ADDRESS AT THE RMA BY IMF EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, B.P. MISRA..176
ANNEX X. ROYAL MONETARY AUTHORITY OF BHUTAN STATEMENT OF CONDITION
............................................................................................................180
ANNEX XI. ROYAL MONETARY AUTHORITY OF BHUTAN INCOME AND
EXPENDITURE STATEMENT....................................................................183
ANNEX XII. ARTICLES PUBLISHED BY THE RMA....................................................184











PREFACE

_____________________________________________________________________

This Report is published by the Research and Statistics Division of the Royal
Monetary Authority of Bhutan. The Report reviews developments that have taken
place in the Bhutanese economy during the FY 2003/2004. Nevertheless, some
important events, which have occurred in the more recent past, have also been
covered. Commentaries on the domestic economy are based on information provided
by government authorities, financial institutions, and other private sector sources.
Comprehensive background data are available in the statistical section, while the
annexes provide additional detailed and updated information on Bhutans financial
institutions and the power sector. An overview of events in the global economy and
possible future developments is presented on the basis of the IMF World Economic
Outlook, September 2004. The annual accounts of the RMA are published in
accordance with the requirements stipulated in the RMA Act of 1982.

Introduced from the last Annual Report 2002/2003 was the review of developments in
the financial sector during the most recent calendar year, as evaluated by the FISD of
the RMA.

New to this edition of the Annual Report is the reporting of non-sovereign
commercial external debt, after Bhutan became a member of the IFC. The newly
revised Consumer Price Index and the Thimphu Food Price Index of the NSB are also
featured in this Report. Kindly refer to the end of the Report for a list of all articles
published, so far, by the RMA.

It is also important to mention that, effective from July 1, 2004, in a restructuring
exercise, changes in the RMAs organization were implemented with the creation of 2
Departments and 2 new Divisions. These developments have been outlined in detail in
Annex I. Please refer to the organization chart on page 4 for a comprehensive
overview.

All views expressed in this Report are those of the RMA and do not necessarily
represent those of the sources of data.

We thank all those who have contributed to the information contained in this Report.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS

_____________________________________________________________________



H.E. Lyonpo Wangdi Norbu
Minister
Ministry of Finance


Chairman


Aum Yangki T. Wangchuk
Secretary
Ministry of Finance


Vice-Chairman


Dasho Karma Dorjee
Secretary
Ministry of Trade, Industries & Power


Director


Mr. Sonam Wangchuk
Director
Department of Budget & Accounts
Ministry of Finance


Director


Mr. Daw Tenzin
Managing Director
Royal Monetary Authority


Member Secretary


Mr. Dechen Tshering
Deputy Managing Director I
Operations Department
Royal Monetary Authority


Observer


Mr. Penjore
Deputy Managing Director II
Policy & Programs Department
Royal Monetary Authority



Observer







MANAGEMENT*

_____________________________________________________________________



1. Managing Director


Daw Tenzin

2. Deputy Managing Director I
Operations Department


Dechen Tshering

3. Deputy Managing Director II
Policy & Programs Department


Penjore

4. Head, Banking Division


Pushpa Lal Chettri

5. Head, Financial Institutions Supervision Division


Eden Dema

6. Head, Foreign Exchange & Reserve Management Division


Pema Tshering

7. Head, Hospitality & Protocol Division


Phub Dorji Tangbi

8. Head, Human Resource Development Division


Julien Gurung

9. Head, Information Technology Division


Roshan Sharma

10. Head, Internal Audit Division


Tshering Dorjee

11. Head, Issue Division


Namgay Tshering

12. Head, Library Division


Chimme Dorji

13. Head, Personnel & Finance Division


J.N. Pradhan

14. Head, Research & Statistics Division


Rinzin Lhamu
*) With effect from July 1, 2004.
ORGANIZATION CHART OF THE RMA





























Managing Director

Deputy Managing Director I
Operations Department


Issue Division

Deputy Managing Director II
Policy & Programs Department


Banking
Division

Personnel &
Finance
Division

Financial
Institutions
Supervision
Division

Research &
Statistics
Division

Library
Division

Information
Technology
Division

Foreign
Exchange &
Reserve
Management
Division

Internal
Audit
Division

Human
Resource
Development
Division

Hospitality &
Protocol
Division

Board of Directors

ABBREVIATIONS AND SYMBOLS

_____________________________________________________________________


General Abbreviations

ACU Asian Clearing Union
ADB Asian Development Bank
ATM Automated Teller Machine
AWP Army Welfare Project

BAIL Bhutan Agro Industries Limited
BBCL Bhutan Beverages Company Limited
BBPL Bhutan Board Products Limited
BCCI Bhutan Chamber of Commerce and Industry
BCCL Bhutan Carbide and Chemicals Limited
BDFC Bhutan Development Finance Corporation
BDL Bhutan Dairy Limited
BEVL Bhutan Eco Ventures Limited
BFAL Bhutan Ferro Alloys Limited
BFPL Bhutan Fruit Products Limited
BIMST-EC Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectorial Technical and
Economic Cooperation
BIT Business Income Tax
BNB Bhutan National Bank
BOB Bank of Bhutan
BOP Balance of Payments
BPC Bhutan Power Corporation
BPCL Bhutan Polythene Company Limited
BRCL Bhutan Resorts Corporation Limited
BST Bhutan Sales Tax
BTCL Bhutan Tourism Corporation Limited

CAR Capital Adequacy Ratio
CHPCL Chukha Hydro Power Corporation Limited
CIB Credit Information Bureau
CIT Corporate Income Tax
COTI Countries Other Than India
CPI Consumer Price Index
CRR Cash Reserve Ratio

DACL Druk Air Corporation Limited
DPCL Druk Plaster and Chemicals Limited
DPOP Druk Plaster of Paris
DPR Detailed Project Report
DRC Department of Revenue and Customs
DSCL Druk Satair Corporation Limited
DSML Druk Stones and Mining Limited

EBCC Eastern Bhutan Coal Company
EDP Entrepreneurial Development Program
EFIC Export Finance and Insurance Corporation

FDI Foreign Direct Investment
FI Financial Institution
FISD Financial Institutions Supervision Division (RMA)
FSA Financial Services Act
FY Fiscal Year (July-June)

GDP Gross Domestic Product
GEPF Government Employees Provident Fund
GOI Government of India

IAIS International Association of Insurance Supervisors
IDA International Development Association (World Bank)
IFAD International Fund for Agricultural Development
IFC International Finance Corporation
IFS International Financial Statistics, IMF
IMF International Monetary Fund
IPOs Initial Public Offers

KFAED Kuwait Fund for Arab and Economic Development
KHPCL Kurichhu Hydro Power Corporation Limited

M0 Reserve Money
M1 Narrow Money
M2 Broad Money
MOU Memorandum of Understanding
MTI Ministry of Trade and Industry

NBFI Non Bank Financial Institution
NFA Net Foreign Assets
NPA Non Performing Assets
NPL Non Performing Loans
NPPF National Pension and Provident Fund
NRB Non-Resident Bhutanese
NSB National Statistical Bureau

OIN Other Items Net

PCAL Penden Cement Authority Limited
PIT Personal Income Tax
PR 2002 Prudential Regulations 2002

QM Quasi Money

RGOB Royal Government of Bhutan
RICBL Royal Insurance Corporation of Bhutan Limited
RMA Royal Monetary Authority of Bhutan
RSEB Royal Securities Exchange of Bhutan
SAARC South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation
SAARCFINANCE Network of SAARC Central Bank Governors and Finance
Secretaries
SAFTA South Asian Free Trade Agreement
SBI State Bank of India
SEDF South Asia Enterprise Development Facility
SME Small and Medium Scale Enterprise
STCB State Trading Corporation of Bhutan
SWIFT Society for Worldwide International Financial
Telecommunications

THPA Tala Hydroelectric Project Authority
TPI Thimphu Food Price Index

UNCDF United Nations Capital Development Fund
UNDP United Nations Development Programme

WTO World Trade Organization



Statistical Abbreviations and Symbols

e estimated

p provisional

r revised estimates

- the figure is zero or less than half the final digit shown or the
item does not exist or the figure is not available

. the figure is unknown or is not meaningful or is not to be
published

--- change within a time series, causing a break in continuity

+ fiscal year, July-June


Discrepancies in the totals are due to rounding
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

_____________________________________________________________________

With positive regional and global economic recovery and growth, the FY 2003/2004
was also a period for numerous forward developments in the Bhutanese economy.
Under the visionary leadership of His Majesty the King, Bhutans sovereignty and
security were strengthened, following successful military action on foreign insurgents
in the country at the end of 2003. Bhutan is now geared for a new era of economic
development, as the domestic economy continues to grow and new external
partnerships increase Bhutans access to markets and provide new opportunities at
regional and international levels.

In Bhutan, real GDP growth was estimated at 6.5 percent in 2003, driven by the
performance of the construction sector, followed by the agriculture, and transport,
storage, and communications sectors. Meanwhile, inflation fell to 1.2 percent during
the first half of 2004. Current and future price movements are, however, expected to
be higher, following revisions implemented in the commodity basket and the
calculation of the index weights, introduced by the NSB in September 2004. And
according to the IMF, inflation in Bhutan is strongly anticipated to grow by 3 and 4
percent in 2004 and 2005, respectively,
1
while they project GDP in Bhutan to grow by
7.3 and 7.6 percent in 2004 and 2005, respectively.

During 2003/2004, the economy experienced moderate monetary expansion in
comparison to the past, with money supply (M2) growing by 4.1 percent against 29.7
percent as of 2002/2003. The slower growth in M2 can be attributed to the weak
growth of the major components of money supply. On the component side, narrow
money supply (M1) recorded a lower growth rate of 13.9 percent, whereas, quasi
money decreased by 4.9 percent. Simultaneously, on the counterpart side, a
considerable decline in the growth of NFA to negative 6.1 percent during 2003/2004
from 22 percent in the previous period also contributed to the monetary slowdown.
Meanwhile, domestic credit increased by 12.5 percent to Nu.4.3 billion, of which
credit to the private sector grew by 30.1 percent compared to 35.7 percent in the last
fiscal year.

Among the highlights from the first half of the year, the NPPFs member housing loan
scheme at 10 percent interest, sparked significant developments in the financial
sector, with the BNB reducing its interest rates on housing loan schemes, encouraging
other FIs to follow suit. During the course of the year the BNB also diversified basic
banking services to introduce ATM and Gold Visa International Credit Card facilities.

Bhutans economic development is largely dependent on the establishment of an
efficient, and competitive financial system that is capable of supporting and sustaining
the growth of the private sector. One of the reasons identified for the slow
development in Bhutans financial sector has been the lack of adequate development
of the private sector
2
. However, Bhutans private sector has long been impeded by the
lack of educated entrepreneurs, combined with high cost structures arising from

1
Note that price movements in Bhutan are closely linked to price movements in India. As per the RBI WPI,
inflation in India grew by 5.6 percent during the second half of 2003/2004.
2
ADB TA NO.3687-BHU: Financial Sector Review, 2002.
Bhutans rough and inaccessible geographical terrain, and resulting in considerable
imports of consumer and capital goods from India and other countries. Guided by the
RMA, efforts are continuously being made to support and shape the role of the
financial sector in overall economic development, as Bhutans financial sector
gradually evolves to meet the needs of the economy.

As part of its developmental role in the financial system, the RMA, in cooperation
with the SEDF, organized a training programme this year to improve the lending
capacity of Bhutanese FIs to SMEs, supporting the growth of this small, but key
sector. The RMA also held several workshops and meetings with FIs to review and
revise provisions in the Prudential Regulations 2002, and to step-up efforts in the
establishment of a Credit Information Bureau by appointing a Task Force. Moreover,
during the first quarter of 2005, the RMA plans to establish clearing houses in Paro
and Mongar to facilitate the operations of new and existing bank branches.

The drafting of the FSA is also being carried out by the RMA and will replace the
FIA 1992. When completed in 2005, the FSA is expected to encompass all
stipulations relating to the provision of financial services in Bhutan. As a result, the
FSA will contribute to effective supervision and management of financial sector
activities. This is especially critical now as Bhutan gradually opens its services sector
to FDI.

And as regulatory and supervisory branch of the RMA, the FISD continued to provide
core supervisory functions, and conducted regular on-site and off-site examinations
during the year. As per their findings, the financial sector continued to perform well in
2003, with FIs achieving an asset growth of 7 percent to Nu.20 billion. Of the FIs, the
assets of the two commercial banks grew by more than 5 percent, while those of the
two NBFIs achieved a growth of around 18 percent. The overall financial sector NPL
ratio was 13 percent for the year 2003.

In terms of credit activities, the growth in domestic credit signaled good progress and
remained positive, while out of total loan repayments, only 5 percent were classified
under the doubtful and loss categories. Meanwhile, the capitalization of the FIs
continued to improve, as the total capital base of the institutions achieved a growth of
36 percent to Nu.2.3 billion from Nu.1.7 billion at the end of 2002. This can be
attributed to prudent regulatory policies, which were introduced to raise the minimum
paid-up capital of both the banks and NBFIs. Supplementing this policy, the RMA
also made it mandatory to transfer at least 20 percent of profits after tax to the general
reserve, which forms part of the capital base. The overall financial sector capital to
asset ratio increased from about 9 percent in 2002 to 12 percent at the end of 2003. As
a result, against the minimum regulatory requirement of 8 percent, the CAR of the FIs
stood within the range of 16.7 percent to 43.4 percent.

Investments in equities remained sluggish due to the slow performance of the capital
market. Nonetheless, during 2003 the BBCL registered as the 15
th
company listed on
the RSEB, and pushed total capitalization to Nu.3.5 billion and shareholder count to
15,867.

Though the RGOB followed through with cautious fiscal policy management,
substantial growth in domestic revenue and grant inflows enabled to reduce the
overall budget deficit by 35.6 percent from Nu.2,891 million to Nu.1,861.1 million
3
.
Total resources, both domestic and external, increased by 50.5 percent, of which tax
revenues improved by 14 percent over the last year, and foreign grants by about 96.4
percent. On the other hand, of total expenditure incurred, both capital and current
expenditures grew by 25.5 percent, and capital expenditure accounted for 55.4 percent
of total expenditure. Moreover, as per the budget estimates, 60.5 percent of the overall
deficit, or Nu.1,125.8 million, were financed through external borrowings, and the
remainder through domestic borrowings.

In spite of the July 2004 National Assembly ruling to reduce PIT by 40 percent,
national budget estimates for 2004/2005 still anticipate an increase in domestic
revenue by 13.2 percent, with most of its growth to accrue from the non-tax sector.
The overall budget deficit is projected to grow by roughly 22 percent to Nu.2.3
billion, representing 6.3 percent of projected GDP, and of which 60.7 percent will be
financed by external borrowings.

By the end of 2003/2004, Bhutans external debt grew by 30.5 percent to USD 529.2
million, and debt service remains manageable at 4.1 percent of the total export of
goods and services (down from 5 percent as of 2002/2003). On the whole, Bhutan
continues to enjoy the goodwill and assistance of its foreign development partners for
the implementation of major power projects and other capital investment projects in
the social sectors. Notably, after Bhutans membership to the IFC in December 2003,
Bhutans external debt portfolio has now been expanded to include commercial non-
sovereign debt from the private sector. The IFC made disbursements amounting to
USD 8 million during 2003/2004 towards the development of Bhutans tourism
sector.

In September 2003, the RGOB and the GOI signed a Memorandum of Understanding
for the execution of a detailed project report on yet another proposed mega power
project, the 870 MW Punatsangchu hydroelectric project. In other developments, the
THPA announced that the completion of the project will be delayed by 6 months,
pushing its scheduled commissioning to March 2006. On the other hand, the Lower
Stage Basochu project was completed a week before schedule and began operations in
September 2004, adding to the countrys domestic power supply another 40 MW.

Since the 8
th
Five Year Plan, the RGOB has identified the development of the private
sector as a priority area, with the aim of stimulating economic growth. In the last
decade, however, liberalizing public sector enterprises, and government incentives in
the form of tax and tariff exemptions, have not yet resulted in the desired effect of
boosting growth of the private sector with regard to overall GDP, diversification of
revenue, or employment generation. Now as the RGOB continues in its accession
process to the WTO
4
, with other memberships to regional economic cooperation
groups, such as SAFTA and BIMST-EC
5
, Bhutan has the opportunity to benefit from
increased market access for exports and FDI, especially in the service sector.

3
Source: National budget estimates as of April 2004 from the Ministry of Finance.
4
Bhutans First Working Party Meeting was held in Geneva in November 2004.
5
In early 2004, Bhutan became a member of the South Asian Free Trade Agreement (SAFTA), and the Bay of
Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMST-EC). These partnerships are
aimed at improving Bhutans access to prevailing and new markets, in addition to targeting potential FDI with the
planned tariff reductions and the promotion of an enabling economic environment in the sub-region.

In line with the policy initiatives to promote private sector growth, the MTI is
currently redrafting its FDI regulations to create a more comprehensive legal
framework and to increase the transparency of Government policies related to foreign
trade issues. During the FY 2003/2004, the RGOB also stepped up policy measures to
stimulate private sector activities by allocating land at the Pasakha industrial estate, a
long awaited project that will be the RGOBs largest endeavor yet to promote private
enterprise. Other support included facilitating the purchase of 2 new Airbus aircraft
for the DACL, a budget allocation towards the establishment of the Hotel and
Tourism Management Training Institute, and other infrastructural projects aimed at
improving domestic electricity supply, telecommunications, and road networks.
Similarly, the RMA commenced the revision of Bhutans Foreign Exchange
Regulations 1997, expanding the legislation to cover all current and capital account
transactions. The latter policy document is scheduled for completion by mid-2005.

Looking at Bhutans BOP, at the end of 2003/2004, substantial inflows of grant and
concessional loan receipts helped to counter trade and other invisibles account deficits
to result in an overall balance of Nu.373 million. Despite better export performance in
both trade and services, it was the growth in current transfer receipts which
contributed to the current account surplus of Nu.2,220.3 million at the end of
2003/2004. Fortunately, 2003/2004 was a year free of any major global crisis after
SARS, and this helped improve the performance of the tourism sector in the country.
6,873 tourists visited Bhutan during 2003/2004, while convertible currency earnings
surged to USD 9.2 million from USD 8.4 million as of 2002/2003. The importance of
this industry remains evident by the fact that tourism was also the governments
second largest source of revenue, contributing Nu.152 million during 2003/2004, after
the CHPCL with Nu.1.9 billion
6
.

Corresponding to the growth in Bhutans BOP, gross international reserves grew by
2.7 percent to USD 383.1 million, which is sufficient to finance 19 months of imports.
Bhutan also continued to benefit from stable macroeconomic conditions in India when
the Ngultrum, in tandem with the Indian Rupee, appreciated by 2.7 percent against the
US Dollar between June 2003 and June 2004. Expanding foreign exchange reserves,
reflecting large capital inflows and sustained current account expansion in Indias
BOP, have contributed to the growing strength of the Indian Rupee.

As in the past, the RMA actively participated in major policy matters of the RGOB
and represented Bhutan at various international fora, including the Annual Meeting of
the ADB, ACU, and IMF-World Bank Meetings. In addition, during 2003/2004, the
RMA experienced significant institutional changes, when it conducted a major
internal restructuring, commensurate with the requirements of an effective central
bank. With effect from July 1, 2004, the RMA now has 2 Departments within the
organization, headed by 2 Deputy Managing Directors. These developments have not
only promoted institutional capacity-building, but emphasized the importance of
sound macro-economic policy management at the central bank level. Major
organizational plans in the pipeline include the creation of a Legal Division,
introduction of merit-based promotions, and drafting of an Internal Audit Charter.
Works on the development of an Integrated Central Banking System, and a switch to
the SWIFT banking system, are also scheduled for commencement in early 2005.

6
Source: National Revenue Report 2003-2004, Department of Revenue and Customs.
As central bank, the primary responsibility of the RMA is to ensure monetary and
financial stability in the country, and consequently monetary policy tools have been
further strengthened, as part of the ongoing development of its monetary policy
framework. Meanwhile, on the currency front, given the significance of maintaining
the exchange rate regime peg with the Indian Rupee, the RMA streamlined and
enhanced its planning process to determine and maintain an adequate supply of
national currency for circulation. As at the end of 2003/2004, new currency notes
amounting to Nu.593.3.million were issued during the year, as compared to Nu.694.2
million in 2002/2003. In connection with currency management, while cases of
counterfeit notes are generally negligible in Bhutan, the RMA took a pro-active stance
during the year and launched anti-counterfeiting measures, consisting of improved
security features on new currency notes, public media awareness campaigns, and
closer collaboration with the banks and the Royal Bhutan Police. Other measures to
be adopted consist of public information kits and training organized for the FIs.

Meanwhile, the revision of the RMA Act of 1982 is currently in progress and is
expected to be completed in 2005. The new Act will provide the RMA with clear
powers that will enable it to effectively carry out its responsibilities in support of the
efforts of the RGOB, and to enhance financial sector development in Bhutan.































KEY ECONOMIC INDICATORS (+)


Item 1999/00 2000/01 2001/02 2002/03 2003/04 (p)
Population Growth Rate (a), (b) - - 3.1 2.4 1.3
Unemployment Rate (a), (b) - - - - 2.9
Per Capita Income (USD) (a), (b) - 450.9 499.7 545.2 623.7
GDP Growth and Prices (percent change)
Real GDP at Factor Cost (a) 7.7 5.5 7.1 6.7 6.5
Consumer Prices (c) 3.6 3.6 2.7 1.8 1.2
Wholesale Prices (India) (d) 5.3 6.6 1.7 5.7 5.6
Government Budget (in millions of Nu.) (e)
Total Revenue & Grants 7859.5 8686.7 8826.7 7054.3 10618.5
Of which: Foreign Grants 3274.1 3711.0 3748.5 2269.1 4456.2
Total Expenditure and Net Lending 8624.1 11177.6 10052.1 9945.3 12479.6
Current Balance 883.3 540.1 610.3 204.4 593.2
Overall Balance -764.5 -2490.9 -1225.4 -2891.0 -1861.1
Money and Credit (percent change, end of period)
Broad Money, M2 21.4 5.5 17.6 29.7 4.1
Credit to Private Sector 4.1 48.3 29.3 35.7 30.1
Interest Rates (end of period)
One Year Deposits 9-10 9-10 9.0 7.0 6.0
Lending Rate 12-16 12-16 12-16 12-16 10-16
91-day RMA Bills 7.3 6.9 4.7 3.5 3.5
Balance of Payments (in millions of Nu.)
Trade Balance -3087.3 -3259.1 -3995.5 -3681.0 -3996.0
With India -1354.5 -1854.3 -2288.3 -3111.3 -3020.7
Current Account Balance 1049.6 343.5 -652.2 2467.5 2220.3
(In percent of GDP) 5.7 1.6 -2.7 8.9 7.0
With India 1537.5 448.6 -154.5 2478.9 2027.6
(In percent of GDP) 8.3 2.1 -0.6 8.9 6.4
Foreign Aid 1793.6 2310.0 2846.2 4527.5 4934.6
Of which: India 1572.5 1707.9 1863.2 3116.0 3258.6
Errors and Omissions -1310.1 -1535.9 -1052.6 -4511.5 -7302.2
Overall Balance 1533.1 236.2 1242.7 2601.4 373.0
(In percent of GDP) 8.3 1.1 5.1 9.4 1.2
External Indicators (end of period)
Gross Official Reserves in Millions of USD 291.1 292.6 315.3 373.0 383.1
(In months of imports) 19.3 21.0 20.6 23.0 18.8
External Debt (percent of GDP) 40.9 51.5 57.9 70.0 75.4
Debt-Service Ratio (f) 4.9 4.7 4.9 5.0 4.1








Item 1999/00 2000/01 2001/02 2002/03 2003/04 (p)
Memorandum Items:
Nominal GDP (in millions of Nu.) 18540.5 21327.8 24317.0 27779.0 31884.0
Ngultrum per USD (period average) 43.6 46.4 48.2 47.9 45.4
Money Supply, M2 (end of period) 8930.5 9419.8 11076.9 14370.0 14966.0
Money Supply, M1 (end of period) 3691.7 4477.9 5019.5 6908.7 7870.7
Counterparts
Foreign Assets (Net) 13248.3 12788.9 14348.5 17508.0 16448.2
Domestic Credit 752.1 2017.9 2280.5 3815.0 4292.3
Claims on Private Sector 1360.0 2016.6 2607.0 3536.6 4599.5
Components
Currency Outside Banks 1119.4 1483.1 1600.2 1699.0 2015.2
Demand Deposits 2474.8 2889.7 3313.6 5094.7 5721.7
Quasi-Money 5238.9 4942.0 6057.5 7461.3 7095.3
Reserve Money , M0, of which 4950.9 4710.9 6023.0 8123.0 9503.9
Currency Issued 1119.4 1483.1 1600.2 1699.0 2015.2
Banks' Deposits 3686.0 3045.3 4222.9 6242.9 7261.7
Money Multiplier (M2/M0) 1.8 2.0 1.8 1.8 1.6
Income Velocity (GDP/M2) 2.1 2.3 2.2 1.9 2.1
a) On a calendar year basis, e.g., the entry under 2000/01 is for 2000. - b) Source: NSB. - c) This still refers to the old
CPI (average of the second half of the fiscal year) of the NSB with the 1979 base year, since rates of change (year-to-
year) for the newly introduced quarterly CPI (Q3, 2003 = 100) are not availalbe prior to the third quarter of 2004. - d)
June. Source: Reserve Bank of India. Wholesale Price Index of All Commodities, Base 1993-94 = 100. Half-yearly
averages. - e) Data for 2003/04 is as of April 2004. - f) Debt service payments in percent of exports of goods and
services.













































_____________________________________________________________________



I. SECTORAL DEVELOPMENTS


_____________________________________________________________________

























1. DOMESTIC ECONOMY

_____________________________________________________________________

This section provides an overview of economic developments in Bhutan during
2003/2004. The economic prospects for that year are indicated on the basis of data
provided by the NSB.

As per the NSB, GDP growth fell
to 6.5 percent in 2003, from 6.7
percent in 2002, mainly due to a
slowdown in the growth of the
electricity and construction sectors,
as compared to the high base of the
previous year. Nevertheless, the
construction sector was the main
contributor to the growth,
followed by agriculture (by virtue
of being the largest sector), and
by transport, storage, and
communications, to mention the
leading three. Composition-wise,
industry (which includes mining
and quarrying, manufacturing,
electricity, and construction) accounted for 38.9 percent, followed by the agricultural
sector, which accounted for 32.7 percent. The services sector (wholesale and retail
trade; restaurants and hotels; transport, storage and communications; finance,
insurance, real estate and business services; and community, social and personal
services) accounted for the remaining 28.4 percent.
Graph 1.1: Sectoral Composition of GDP
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
1999 2000 2001 2002 2003
1. Agriculture and allied activities 2. Industry 3. Services

1.1. Agriculture, Animal Husbandry, and Forestry

In the agricultural sector, consisting of the agriculture proper, livestock production,
and forestry and logging, the declining trend that started since 1999 was reversed in
2003 where there was a growth of 4 percent, as compared to 2.6 percent in the
previous year. This positive development reflects improvements in all the components
of the sector. The agriculture proper (consisting of principal crops, such as maize,
rice, wheat, and major cash crops, such as apples, oranges, potatoes, ginger, and
cardamom) grew at 4.2 percent, as compared to 2.6 percent in the previous year. The
annual growth of livestock production improved from 1.9 to 3.3 percent, and that of
forestry and logging from 3.2 to 4.1 percent in 2003.

The contribution of the agricultural sector to overall GDP continued its gradual
decline, reaching 32.7 percent in 2003 from 33.2 in 2002. However, this sector
remained significant, providing livelihood for around 75 percent
7
of the total labor
force.


7
Statistical Yearbook of Bhutan 2003, NSB.
1.2. Manufacturing, Mining, and Electricity

Estimates indicate the growth of the manufacturing, mining, and electricity sectors to
have deteriorated significantly from 13 percent in 2002 to 5.4 percent in 2003, while
the contribution of these sectors to overall GDP remained more or less same at around
19 percent. Since growth in the manufacturing and mining sectors were higher than in
the previous year, and because of the considerable contribution of electricity to
overall GDP, the drop in growth can be explained by developments in the power
sector.

The surge in electricity growth in 2002 (22 percent increase over 2001) was on
account of the commencement of operations of both the Basochu and Kurichhu power
projects, so while the growth of this sector was positive during 2003, it was nowhere
that substantial. Furthermore, the share of electricity to GDP also declined from 10.8
percent in 2002 to 9.6 percent in 2003. Since the Chukha project experienced a boom
in 2003, with its highest revenues and power production levels, the slowdown in the
electricity sector can be attributed to the loss in revenue from the Kurichhu project,
which was hampered by several operational shutdowns during the year for ongoing
transmission works.

The number of major industries covered by the report in 2004 increased to eleven,
with the addition of DPOP. Of the eleven, updates are still pending on BBPL, BPCL,
and the EBCC. Of the remaining eight that have provided information, PCAL remains
the biggest in terms of total value of sales, followed by BFAL and then by BCCL.

In the energy sector, total energy sales from the three major power projects during
2003 grew by 10.8 percent over the previous year, of which sales of the CHPCL
accounted for 81.3 percent and the KHPCL for 15 percent. Meanwhile, total exports
to India rose from Nu.2.3 billion to Nu.2.6 billion as of the end of 2003. Export
revenue from electricity is anticipated to increase significantly during 2005, with the
recent decision of the GOI to raise the Chukha export tariff from Nu.1.5 to Nu.2 per
unit.

Meanwhile, in other developments, the completion of the Tala hydropower project
has been delayed to March 2006, six months behind schedule due to adverse
geological conditions. And the RGOB, in coordination with the GOI, is also
conducting a DPR on the proposed 870 MW Punatsangchu hydropower project. The
DPR will be completed before January 2006. Details of the production and sales of all
three projects are available in Table 4 in the Statistical Section. A detailed description
of developments in Bhutans power sector is also presented in Annex V.








Table 1.1: Real GDP Growth by Sector 1999 - 2003

Year-to-year change in %
Item 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 (e)
GDP at Factor Cost 7.7 5.5 7.1 6.7 6.5
Agriculture 5.2 4.5 3.2 2.6 4.0
Industry 12.2 3.9 13.8 17.9 7.3
Services 5.9 8.7 7.6 -2.3 7.8

1.3. Construction

The construction sector is estimated to have grown at a significantly lower pace of 9.8
percent, as compared to 25 percent in the previous year. However, the sectors share
in nominal GDP maintained its upward trend, accounting for 19.9 percent in 2003, as
compared to 19.0 percent in 2002. The performance of this sector continued to reflect
the activities related to large power projects - Tala, Kurichhu, and Basochu - and to a
certain extent, construction work carried out by individuals, government departments,
and autonomous entities. This is also supported by high credit levels in the financial
sector for construction, in combination with lowered interest rates for housing by
financial institutions. Credit towards the building and construction sector grew by
39.3 percent during 2003.

1.4. Tourism

FY 2003/2004 displayed encouraging indicators of recovery for Bhutans tourism
sector after suffering from the global recessionary trends of the past year. Tourist
arrivals increased by 12.9 percent to 6,873 from 6,087 as of 2002/2003. Similarly,
foreign exchange revenues grew to USD 9.2 million from the previous fiscal year's
earnings of USD 8.4 million.


Table 1.2: Selected Tourism Indicators 1999-2003
Item 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003
Tourist Arrivals 7158 7559 6393 5599 6261
Of which: Cultural 6328 6633 5925 5242 5823
Trekking 830 926 468 357 438
% Change in arrivals 18.8 5.6 -15.4 -12.4 11.8
Gross Receipts
1
8.9 10.5 9.2 8.0 8.3
% Change in receipts 11.3 18.0 -12.4 -13.0 3.8
Government Revenue 3.5 4.1 3.3 2.8 2.9
% Change in revenue 14.3 17.1 -19.5 -15.2 3.6
Source: Department of Tourism. -1) Millions of USD.

Meanwhile, updates on FDI in the tourism sector reveal that the BRCL (joint venture
between Bhutan Tourism Corporation Ltd. and Maha/Aman Resorts, Singapore) and
the BEVL (joint venture between Bhutan International Company and M/s. HPL
Properties (West Asia) Private Limited, Singapore) have both completed construction
of their Paro resorts. Further information on the tourism sector and FDI ventures is
presented in Annex IV.


1.5. Prices

The NSB introduced a new
and revised quarterly CPI
with a revised commodity
basket and the third quarter
of 2003 as the new base
period.

The new quarterly CPI
reported an annual inflation
rate of 4.6 percent in the
third quarter of 2004, with
food prices increasing by 2.8
percent and non-food prices
by 5.3 percent. Overall
inflation in Bhutan is now
quite close to the inflation
rate in India, and, therefore, is now much more realistic than the previous rates. The
new CPI cannot be compared with the old CPI as outlined in Box 1.1.
Graph 1.2
Consumer Price Index (old)
(Percentage change on previous year)
(Average of the first half of the year)
0
2
4
6
8
10
1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004
Percent
Total Food Non-food

On the other hand, the old CPI which was published half-yearly by the NSB, with
1979 as the base period, reflected a decline in inflation rate to 1.2 percent in the first
half (H1) of 2004, as compared to 1.8 percent in the same period last year.

This low inflation reflected the slow rise in prices of both food and non-food items.
Food prices growth dropped from 1.7 (in H1 2003) to 1 percent (in H1 2004) and
non-food prices growth from 2 to 1.6 percent during the same period. Of the food
items, the major effect came from the prices of cereals and vegetables which fell by 3
and 2 percents, respectively. The bumper agricultural production in India resulted in a
decline in the prices of the food items.

The slow pace (0.6 percent) of clothing prices, which have the highest weights among
the non-food items, is the main contributor to the drop in the non-food prices. The
growth rate of prices for clothes has been steadily dropping over the years, possibly
because of the ever increasing numbers of textile importers in the country.





And according to the newly
rebased TPI, despite a fall in
the prices of vegetables,
fruits and pulses by 1.3
percent, food prices in
Thimphu increased by 0.6
percent in the second quarter
of 2004, as compared to the
fall of 3.5 percent in the
same quarter of 2003.
















































Graph 1.3
Thimphu Food Price Index (new)
(Percentage change on previous year)
-5.0
-4.0
-3.0
-2.0
-1.0
0.0
1.0
2.0
3.0
2002
Q1
Q2 Q3 Q4 2003
Q1
Q2 Q3 Q4 2004
Q1
Q2
Percent


Box 1.1

A New CPI and TPI

The NSB has re-based the quarterly CPI and TPI, with the third quarter 2003 as the base.
The indices have been compiled on the basis of the 2003 Household Income and
Expenditure Survey. The new quarterly indices replace the old indices, which were based
on the 1979 Expenditure Survey, and, which, therefore, were outdated. On the basis of
information having been made available, so far, by the NSB, the salient features of the
new indices can be summarized as follows:

Consumer Price Index

a) There is a much wider coverage of items in the consumer basket than in the old CPI,
e.g., rent is now included. Furthermore, as a consequence of changing consumption
patterns from 1979 to 2003, the weight of food has changed from 72.31 in the old CPI
to 31.67 in the new index, while, commensurate with this development, the weight of
non-food increased from 27.69 to 68.33. It is expected that the new index will give a
more reliable picture of actual price developments, i.e., inflation developments in
Bhutan, than has been the case with the old index.

b) So far, quarterly data (quarterly averages) for the new CPI have been made available
from the third quarter 2003 (base quarter = 100), to the third quarter 2004. In
analyzing the new CPI, the following should be kept in mind:

Since the new CPI is not seasonally adjusted, simple quarter-to-quarter
comparisons are not meaningful, as they could result in substantial distortions and
in turn, misinterpretations, due to seasonal influences. As a result, only year-to-
year comparisons could be carried out, as long as the data are not seasonally
adjusted, being in accordance with international best practices which implies a
simple seasonal adjustment. Consequently, at present, a meaningful comparison
can only be made after the second quarter of 2004.


(contd)





































(concld)

The new CPI should not be compared with the old CPI (percentage changes)
because there is a very substantial break in continuity and the old CPI refers to
semi-annual averages, while the new CPI refers to quarterly averages.

Thimphu Food Price Index

a) There is a much wider coverage of food items than in the old quarterly TPI index. For
example, edible oil and fats, milk, cheese, and eggs, meat and fish, and non-
alcoholic beverages, which were missing in the old index, are now included.
Therefore, it is expected that the new index will give a much more reliable picture of
actual food price developments in Thimphu than has been the case with the old index.

b) The new index was calculated, starting with the third quarter of 2003, while the major
food items available, more or less, for the old index, i.e., cereals and its products,
vegetables, fruits, and pulses, other food items, and the total food index, were
linked. As a result, there is a break in continuity between the second quarter of 2003
and the third quarter of 2003. Consequently, the data comparability across the break
of continuity is rather limited and should, therefore, be considered with due caution.
In this connection, it has to be kept in mind that only data comparisons from the third
quarter onward are consistent, just as are data comparisons prior to the third quarter of
2003.

c) As in the case of the old index, the new index refers to the average prices during the
quarter.



























2. MONEY AND BANKING STATISTICS

_____________________________________________________________________
2.1. Monetary and Credit Developments

Monetary developments during
FY 2003/2004 exhibited a
much slower growth as
compared to the previous year.
Totaling Nu.15 billion at the
end of the review year, broad
money supply (M2) grew at a
slower rate of 4.1 percent, as
compared to the 29.7 percent
growth in 2002/2003. All major
components of M2 grew at
slower rates, with QM, NFA,
and OIN even decreasing from
the previous year.

Of the two major elements of
M2 on the component side, M1
exhibited a lower annual
growth of 13.9 percent in contrast to its 37.6 percent growth in 2002/2003. While
currency in circulation grew at 18.6 percent as compared to 6.2 percent in the
previous year, there was a significant decrease in the growth of demand deposits. In
particular, growth in the current account deposits of individuals and government
corporations was much lower this year at 9.6 percent, vis--vis 89.4 percent in the
previous year. QM, the other major element of M2, decreased by 4.9 percent in
2003/2004, from an increase of 23.2 percent in 2002/2003. The major contributor to
the decrease in QM was the fall in foreign currency deposits by 49.2 percent.
Graph 2.1
Money Supply
(End of June)
0.0
2000.0
4000.0
6000.0
8000.0
10000.0
12000.0
14000.0
16000.0
1998/99 1999/00 2000/01 2001/02 2002/03 2003/04
Nu. in
millions
Broad money Narrow money Quasi money

During the same period, reserve money (M0) grew from Nu.8,123 million to
Nu.9,504 million, resulting mainly from the increased commercial banks deposits
with the RMA from Nu.6,242.9 million to Nu.7,261.7 million.

Meanwhile, on the counterpart side, NFA and OIN, recorded negative growths during
the review period. NFA decreased by a substantial 6.1 percent from an increase of 22
percent in the previous year, out of which net convertible currency assets decreased
by 7.3 percent, and net Rupee assets by 1.1 percent. However, domestic credit
recorded an increase of 12.5 percent to Nu.4.3 billion, of which credit to the private
sector grew by 30.1 percent as compared to 35.7 percent in the last fiscal year.
Table 2.1: Money Supply, M2 Its Counterparts and Components


Millions of Ngultrum End of period

Item

1999/00 2000/01 2001/02 2002/03 2003/04
MONEY SUPPLY, M2

8930.5 9419.8 11076.9 14370.0

14966.0
MONEY SUPPLY, M1 3691.7 4477.9 5019.5 6908.7 7870.7

Counterparts*
)
1. Foreign Assets (Net) 13248.3 12788.9 14348.5

17508.0 16448.2
2. Domestic Credit 752.1 2017.9 2280.5 3815.0 4292.3
Claims on Govt. (Net) -1110.6 -455.7 -744.5 -109.8 -746.0
Claims on Private
Sector
1360.0 2016.6 2607.0 3536.6 4599.5
Others
1)
502.7 457.0 417.9 388.2 438.8
3. Other Items (Net)
2)
5069.8 5387.0 5552.0 6953.0 5774.6

Components
+)
4. Currency Outside
Banks
1119.4 1483.1 1600.2

1699.0 2015.2
5. Demand Deposits
3)
2474.8 2889.7 3313.6 5094.7 5721.7
6. Quasi-Money
4)
5238.9 4942.0 6057.5 7461.3 7095.3
Memorandum Item:
Reserve Money
of which:
4950.9 4710.9 6023.0

8123.0 9503.9
Currency Issued 1167.4 1567.5 1694.5 1765.1 2057.1
Banks Deposits 3686.0 3045.3 4222.9 6242.9 7261.7

*) M2 = 1 plus 2 minus 3. - +) M2 = 4 plus 5 plus 6 and M1 = 4 plus 5.- 1) Claims on
Government Corporations, Claims on Joint Corporations, and Claims on Non-
monetary Financial Institutions.- 2) Including Money Market Instruments (RMA
Bills).- 3) Including Savings Deposits.- 4) Time Deposits and Foreign Currency
Deposits.

2.2. Monetary Policy Framework

The RMAs monetary policy framework is implicit, since it is not clearly spelled out
in the Act (please see Annex I for a schematic overview). According to the RMA Act,
Section 6 b), one of the purposes of the RMA is to promote monetary stability,
which can be interpreted as the promotion of price stability. In some central bank
acts, price stability is quantified, e.g., in the case of the European Central Bank price
stability is equivalent to a year-to-year rate of change of the CPI below, but close to, 2
percent, to be maintained over the medium term. The intermediate target for achieving
and maintaining price stability in Bhutan is the one-to-one peg between the Indian
Rupee and the Ngultrum. In light of the pegged exchange rate regime adopted by
Bhutan, however, the scope of Bhutans monetary policy is limited and confined to
the support of the peg, including the following basic measures:

a) Ensuring the sustainability of the exchange rate arrangement, i.e., always
making available sufficient Rupees on demand for exchange with the
Ngultrum for payments in India and provision of at least 100 percent reserve
backing for all Ngultrum issued (elements of a Currency Board).
b) Confidence-building measures for the Ngultrum (e.g., credible RMA and
Government policies).
c) Sterilizing any persistent growth in liquidity to forestall a possible build-up of
inflationary pressures, a weakening of the balance of payments, and a
contingent effect on the financial market.

The following are the main supporting factors for the existing system:

a) Close economic and financial relationships exist between India and Bhutan.
b) There is a dual currency system, with the Ngultrum and the Rupee circulating
freely side by side in Bhutan. The system can be described as an informal
monetary (currency) union with India.
c) Inflation and interest rates in the two countries are closely related.
d) The arrangement maintains confidence and ties Bhutan to the relatively stable
monetary conditions in India.
e) The peg has also clear benefits for trade with India, since there is no
uncertainty about exchange rate developments between the two trading
partners.

On the basis of the above factors, the monetary policy decisions made in Bhutan are
viewed as prudent and appropriate.

While ensuring the sustainability of the exchange rate arrangement, the Monetary
Authority is also required to play an important role in monetary and credit
management, largely owing to the build-up of excess liquidity in recent years. With
the elimination of quantitative credit controls, it has developed and increasingly relied
upon more indirect instruments of monetary management. In particular, for the
purpose of liquidity management in the banking system, the RMA has resorted to
variations in reserve requirements, the sale of central bank bills, and the sale of
foreign exchange to banks. Through the issuance of the short-term central bank bills,
the RMA also aims to establish a modest money market and to establish a frame of
reference for interest rates.

According to the Act, the RMA has also at its disposal various liquidity support
facilities (e.g., discount of bills, secured loans, and reserve repurchase-introduced in
September 1996 and thereafter discontinued on January 1, 2002), which, however, are
not being used at present due to the relatively large surplus liquidity of commercial
banks.




2.2.1. Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR)

The CRR, set at the rate of 3 percent for all deposits with the BOB, was introduced in
1984. It was revised in 1994 to 15 percent for all deposit liabilities, cash in vaults
being counted towards the CRR after the introduction of RMA discount bills and
Government bonds. With the conversion of the Unit Trust of Bhutan into Bhutans
second commercial bank, BNB, the CRR was adjusted in July 1997 to 15 percent for
demand deposits only, cash in vaults being counted towards the CRR. Thereafter, in
January 2000, the CRR was further adjusted to 10 percent for all deposits, cash in
vaults not being counted towards the CRR. And on July 1, 2002, in a move to sterilize
additional excess liquidity from the banking system, the CRR was further revised to
20 percent on total deposit liabilities, while interest payable on the balance was also
amended from 2 percent to 3 percent per annum.

As the level of liquidity is progressively declining through increased lending, the
policy stance is to free bank reserves to an appropriate level by reducing the CRR rate
and RMA bills issuance. In this respect, the RMA Board of Directors during the 35
th

meeting decided to revise the CRR maintained by the commercial banks with the
RMA with effect from March 1, 2004. The volume of CRR has been revised
downward from the existing rate of 20 percent to 13 percent of total deposit liabilities
and the rate of interest payable on CRR balances has also been revised from 3 percent
to 1.5 percent per annum. At the end of June 2004, the CRR instrument alone
accounted for Nu.2,210.9 million of banks liquidity.

2.2.2. RMA Discount Bills

The RMA discount bills (maturity of 31 days) were introduced in December 1993 at
the discount rate of 11 percent. Till October 29, 2001, the selling procedure was
based on auctions and after that it was discontinued and tap sales were introduced. At
the end of June 2004, there were Nu.200 million worth of bills (maturity of 91 days)
outstanding, at a weighted discount rate of 3.5 percent.

2.3. Review of Developments in Commercial Banking

During the FY 2003/2004, total
collective assets and liabilities of
the two commercial banks, BOB
and BNB, grew at a low rate of
0.4 percent to Nu.17.7 billion,
from Nu.17.6 billion (31 percent
growth) in 2002/2003. This was
evidence of only a slight
expansion that took place in the
deposits on the sources side and
the growth of the liquid funds on
the uses side.
Graph 2.2
Composition of Commercial Banks' Reserves
with the RMA(June-end 2004)
Cash in
Hand
1%
CRR
31%
Other
Deposits
65%
RMA Bills
3%

On the uses side, the commercial
banks reserves with the RMA
grew at a low rate of 3.1 percent to Nu.7.1 billion during the FY 2003/2004 from
Nu.6.8 billion (34 percent) in the previous year, representing roughly 40 percent of
their total assets. Of the total reserves, 34.1 percent were absorbed by the RMA
through RMA bills and the CRR, while the rest were held as current deposits with the
RMA. The latter amounts to Nu.4.6 billion, representing about 26 percent of their
total assets. In addition to reserves, the banks are allowed to maintain foreign assets
consisting of rupee and convertible foreign currency. As at the end of the FY
2003/2004, they held Nu.2.6 billion Rupees and Nu.1.8 billion in convertible
currencies. Credit to the private sector achieved a smaller growth of 30.1 percent as
against a growth of 35.7 percent in the previous year.

On the liability side, growth in
total deposits (including
foreign currency deposits),
was much lower at 2.6 percent
(35 percent in 2002/2003),
influenced by the lower
growth in current account
deposits (9.6 percent), and
decline in the time deposits (4
percent). This significantly
lower growth in both the
current account and fixed
deposits can be attributed to
the decrease in individual
current account deposits of
52.7 percent and in foreign
currency deposits of 49.2
percent, respectively.
Graph 2.3
Types of Deposits of Commercial Banks
0.0
1000.0
2000.0
3000.0
4000.0
5000.0
6000.0
7000.0
8000.0
9000.0
Jan-02 Jan-03 Jan-04
Nu. in
Millions
Current Saving Time

The commercial banks
sector-wise distribution of
credit indicates an overall
decrease by 0.6 percent to
Nu.7.5 billion, when
compared to the last fiscal
year. Of total sectoral
investment, the largest share
went to building and
construction (29 percent)
followed by manufacturing
(20 percent), the trade and
commerce sector (19 percent),
service and tourism (10
percent), with the rest going to
other sectors.
Graph 2.4
Sector-wise Investment of Commercial Banks
(June 2004)
0
200
400
600
800
1000
1200
1400
1600
A
g
r
i
c
u
l
t
u
r
e
M
a
n
u
f
a
c
t
u
r
i
n
g
T
r
a
d
e
P
e
r
s
o
n
a
l

a
n
d
O
t
h
e
r

L
o
a
n
s
T
r
a
n
s
p
o
r
t
B
u
i
l
d
i
n
g

a
n
d
C
o
n
s
t
r
u
c
t
i
o
n
S
e
r
v
i
c
e

a
n
d
T
o
u
r
i
s
m
Nu. in
Millions

A detailed description of the developments of the two commercial banks is presented
in Annex III.
2.4 Review of Developments in Other Financial Institutions

As at the end of FY
2003/2004, the combined
assets of the two NBFIs,
namely the RICBL and the
BDFC, rose by 6 percent,
with the expansion of credit
to the private sector by 10
percent.

In the sector-wise growth of
credit of the NBFIs during
the review year (9 percent),
the highest share of credit
went to building and
construction (34 percent),
followed by trade and
commerce (25 percent),
manufacturing (18 percent), service and tourism (11 percent) with the rest going to
other sectors.
Graph 2.5
Sector-wise Investment of Non-Bank FIs
(June 2004)
0
100
200
300
400
500
600
700
800
900
A
g
r
i
c
u
l
t
u
r
e
M
a
n
u
f
a
c
t
u
r
i
n
g
T
r
a
d
e
P
e
r
s
o
n
a
l

&
O
t
h
e
r

L
o
a
n
s
T
r
a
n
s
p
o
r
t
B
u
i
l
d
i
n
g

a
n
d
C
o
n
s
t
r
u
c
t
i
o
n
S
e
r
v
i
c
e

a
n
d
T
o
u
r
i
s
m
Nu. in
Millions

A detailed description of the developments of the two NBFIs is presented in Annex
III. The FISD of the RMA also prepared a report on developments that took place in
the financial sector during 2003. This is presented in Annex VII. It is important to note
that the analysis provided in this sectoral commentary and reviews made in their
report may vary on account of differences in the definitions of items.

With regard to the RSEB, at the end of 2003, with no new company listed, the number
of listed companies still remains at 15. Total market capitalization stood at
approximately Nu.3.5 billion, up from Nu.3.4 billion in the previous year.
Shareholders count now stands at 15,867, compared to 6,641 in 2002, recording a
growth of 138.9 percent. This was particularly driven by the issuance of a public offer
by the ADB of its shares in BNB. There was an upsurge in the year-wise traded
volume in IPOs in the primary market to Nu.408.6 million, compared to Nu.115
million in 2002. In the secondary markets, the most active trading during 2003 took
place with BBCL, BNB, PCAL, and RICBL; the total turnover during the year was
Nu.20 million.

RMA Bills worth Nu.2,179 million, down from its previous record of Nu.3,801.6
million, were traded as of December 2003. The decline in bills traded was due to the
absorption of funds by the issue of DACL Bonds. In October and November 2003, the
Ministry of Finance issued ten-year maturity bonds of Nu.1.3 billion each at a coupon
rate of 7.5 percent per annum for the purchase of the Airbus A319 aircraft. The issue
has been fully subscribed by the participants from the financial institutions, the NPPF,
the Health Trust Fund, and the RSEB.

Prior to the establishment of the NPPF, the GEPF was managed by the RICB and was
available only for government employees. Benefits were limited to a gratuity and a
provident fund scheme, which was paid in a lump sum after retirement. The
inadequacy of the lump sum payment from gratuity and the GEPF prompted the
RGOB to initiate a formal old-age income security scheme by restructuring the GEPF
scheme. With ADB assistance, the Government Working Committee in 1999, under
the governance of the Board of Directors, reviewed and evaluated the UNDP's study
(1997) on the "Feasibility of Introducing a Pension Scheme in Bhutan" and
recommended an annuity-based, multi-tiered retirement plan, called the National
Pension and Provident Fund Plan. The NPPF was thereafter established on July 1,
2002, by the RGOB as an autonomous body under the governance of the National
Pension Board. Since its inception in July 2002, the plan had seen increasing trends in
its membership. At the end of the financial year 2003/2004, the NPPF Plan, the
Armed Forces Pension and Provident Fund Scheme witnessed a 7.8 percent growth in
their membership, bringing the total figure to 34,574 members on June 30, 2004 as
against 32,079 members in the previous year.


































Box 2.1

Events in the Financial Sector, FY 2003/2004


Lending Rates - With the introduction of the housing loan scheme by the NPPF at 10
percent per annum, all the FIs except for the BDFC, scaled down their interest rates
from 13 percent to 10 percent per annum from January 2004. Furthermore, on July 19,
2004, during the 82
nd
session of the National Assembly, the interest rate on rural credit
of the BDFC was reduced from 13 percent to 10 percent.

Deposit Rates Along with the reduction in the lending rates of the FIs was a simultaneous
fall in the deposit rates of the two commercial banks. During the fiscal year, the average
saving rate for the two commercial banks fell from 5 percent to 4.8 percent. The average
fixed deposit rates for 3 months - 1 year, declined from 5.8 percent to 5 percent.
Similarly, the average deposit rates for 1-3 years fell from 7.5 percent to 6 percent, and
the average deposit rate for 3 years and above fell from 8.3 percent to 7 percent during
2003/2004.

New Schemes - The NPPF launched the housing and the education loan schemes for the
benefit of its members on July 1, 2003, and March 1, 2004, respectively, at the rate of
10 percent per annum. On September 15, 2003, the Finance Ministry, BNB, BOB, and
the MTI signed an MOU to create a new credit scheme whereby young entrepreneurs,
under specified circumstances, could access loans of Nu.200,000 Nu.300,000 without
any collateral requirements. The BNB also introduced Gold Visa International Credit
Cards (January 4, 2004) and ATM facilities (April 2004).


(contd)
















































(concld)
Credit Information Bureau (CIB) - In the late 1990s, a proposal to set up a CIB was
initiated by the RMA and the FIs but the project was stalled due to complications in the
planning process. During RMAs meeting with the FIs in March 2004, the importance
and the need for establishing a CIB in Bhutan as an effective institutional mechanism
for assisting the FIs in making proper credit decision was felt necessary by the FIs. The
FIs agreed to commit themselves in establishing a CIB in Bhutan. In continuation of the
efforts, a CIB Task Force comprising of two members from each FI including RMA
was formed in July 2004. A CIB Secretariat was informally set up under the FISD in
RMA for the smooth facilitation of the project. Thereafter, a series of preliminary
meetings were conducted to discuss and deliberate on various issues relating to CIB.

RMAs Meeting with the FIs - After a long period gap, the annual m between the RMA
and the FIs, including NPPF, was held at Phuentsholing in March 2004. The main
objective of the meeting was to discuss issues pertaining to the FIs, particularly with
regard to the Prudential Regulations 2002. Thereafter, necessary amendments were
made to certain sections of the PR 2002 in line with the decisions taken during the
meeting. These changes have come into effect since September 2004.

Prudential Regulations 2002 - A five-day familiarization workshop on the PR 2002 was
conducted by the FISD (June 23-27, 2003) for the FIs, including the NPPF at the RMA
in Thimphu. During the workshop, the PR 2002 was discussed in detail for its proper
understanding and smooth implementation process. Nonetheless, various teething
problems were observed during the implementation process. Therefore, a meeting was
organized in March 2004 between the RMA and the FIs to discuss and resolve pertinent
issues relating to the PR 2002 and other related matters pertaining to the FIs.

South Asia Enterprise Development Facility (SEDF) The SEDF, based in Bangladesh,
is a multi-donor funded program managed by the IFC, the private sector arm of the
World Bank Group. Its objective is to assist in the development of SMEs in Bangladesh,
Nepal, Bhutan, and Northeast India. Under this program, various trainings such as
Credit Appraisal for SMEs (2003) and Reconstruction of Financial Statements and
Credit Scoring for SMEs (May 2004) have already been conducted in the country. More
recently, in December 2004, SEDF and RMA jointly organized training on sales and
marketing, human resources tools, mixed instruments, factoring and leasing in Thimphu
for participants from the financial institutions.

International Association of Insurance Supervisors (IAIS) - The Insurance Unit was
created in 2003 under the FISD to regulate and supervise the insurance business in
Bhutan and in coordination with RMAs overall efforts to strengthen insurance
regulation and supervision in Bhutan. In 2000, Bhutan joined as a member in the South
Asian Insurance Regulatory Forum (SAIRF). In 2004, RMAs proposal to join the IAIS
as a member was approved by the Board of Directors thereby enabling the RMA to
complete the necessary administrative formalities with the IAIS Secretariat in
Switzerland. The Insurance Unit was re-activated in 2004 in terms of human resource
training, insurance supervision and staff strength.


3. EXTERNAL SECTOR

_____________________________________________________________________

Bhutans economic outlook during
2003/2004 as indicated by
developments in the BOP, were
characterized by improved
merchandise exports, substantial
inflows from grants, loans, and
FDI, recording an overall balance
of Nu.373 million. Gross
international reserves, accordingly,
registered an increase of 2.7
percent to USD 383.1 million,
which is sufficient to finance 19
months of imports. With the
growing strength of the Indian
Rupee against the US Dollar, the
Ngultrum followed suit in its
appreciation vis--vis the USD by
5.6 percent between FY 2002/2003
and 2003/2004. And the debt
service ratio
8
has improved from 5
percent to 4.1 percent in 2003/2004.
A feature on Bhutan's external debt
has been attached in Annex VIII.
Graph 3.1: Bhutan: Overall BOP
-5000.0
-4000.0
-3000.0
-2000.0
-1000.0
0.0
1000.0
2000.0
3000.0
2001/02 2002/03 2003/04 (p)
Millions of
Nu.
Trade balance
Current account balance
Overall balance


3.1. Overall Balance of
Payments
9


Current Account

Despite better export performance
in both trade and services, it was the
growth in current transfer receipts
that helped narrow the trade and
invisibles deficits, resulting in a
current account surplus of
Nu.2,220.3 million as of 2003/2004.
This represents 7 percent of GDP.
Graph 3.2: Bhutan: Current Account
-4000.0
-2000.0
0.0
2000.0
4000.0
6000.0
8000.0
10000.0
12000.0
2001/02 2002/03 2003/04 (p)
Millions of
Nu.
Exports
Imports
Balance on services & income
Current account balance
Grant inflows





8
Debt Service Ratio - Debt service payments as a percentage of the export of goods and services.
9
Adjustments were made to Bhutan's balance of payments (BOP) compilation methodology in the fiscal year
2001/2002 and onwards.

Trade Account

The trade account is compiled on the basis of trade data generated by the DRC and
other enterprise surveys. Commencing 2002/2003, the DRC has been generating half-
yearly trade data, thereby enabling the use of fiscal year aggregated data for the
balance of payments, supplemented by calendar-year information for the composition
of trade.

As of 2003/2004, Bhutans trade deficit widened by 8.6 percent from Nu.3,681
million in 2002/2003 to Nu.3,996 million. Imports related to the development of
major power projects such as Tala have boosted overall import levels in recent years;
Tala imports alone accounted for approximately 18 percent of total imports during the
year. Similarly, the DACLs recent purchase of new aircraft for its fleet was one of
the major factors which added to the growth in import levels during the year.

Table 3.1: Bhutan's Balance of Payments
2002/03 2003/04 (p) 2002/03 2003/04 (p)
A. Current Account 2467.5 2220.3 51.9 53.5
Goods -3681.0 -3996.0 -76.4 -83.4
Exports 5405.9 7157.5 112.8 157.6
Imports -9086.9 -11153.4 -189.6 -245.6
Services -801.5 -379.7 -16.7 -8.4
Credit 1194.0 1421.1 24.9 31.3
Debit -1995.5 -1800.8 -41.6 -39.7
Income -598.8 -740.1 -12.5 -16.3
Credit 561.4 436.3 11.7 9.6
Debit -1160.3 -1176.5 -24.2 -25.9
Current Transfers 7548.8 7336.2 157.5 161.5
Credit 9810.7 9719.8 204.7 214.0
Debit -2261.9 -2383.6 -47.2 -52.5
B. Capital and Financial Account 4645.5 5454.9 96.9 120.1
Foreign Direct Investment 117.9 157.0 2.5 3.5
Portfolio Investment 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
Net Official Flows 4527.5 4934.6 94.5 108.7
Other Loans 0.0 363.3 0.0 8.0
C. Net Errors and Ommissions -4511.5 -7302.2 -94.1 -160.8
D. Overall Balance 2601.4 373.0 54.3 8.2
Item
Millions of Ngultrum Millions of USD



Merchandise exports growth was robust during 2003/2004, increasing by 32.4 percent
over 2002/2003, supported by the combined exports of electricity from Chukha and
Kurichhu projects. Strong growth was also experienced by items such as agricultural
and agro-based goods, plastic and rubber goods, textiles, and base metal and base
metal products. On the import side, overall imports at Nu.11,153.4 million increased
by 22.7 percent from Nu.9,086.9 million in 2002/2003. This can be mostly attributed
to higher food imports, the imports of wood pulp commodities, and machinery and
mechanical imports.

Studying the composition
of merchandise trade, India
remains Bhutan's major
trading partner, with the
sale of electricity from the
Chukha and Kurichhu
projects dominating
Bhutan's exports and
accounting for 39.2 percent
of overall merchandise
trade, earning Bhutan
Nu.2,804.3 million during
2003/2004. Other major
export commodities to
India continue to be agro-
based and mineral exports.
In 2003, textiles, plastic
and rubber products, and
prepared food items were
the biggest gainers. In
terms of COTI exports,
leading items consisted of processed foods, and mineral products. During 2003,
significant export performance was achieved for vegetables and fruits, and household
items.
Graph 3.3: Development of Power and Non-Power Exports
0.0
1000.0
2000.0
3000.0
4000.0
5000.0
6000.0
7000.0
1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003
Millions of Nu.
Power Exports Other Exports Agricultural Exports
Table 3.2: Selected Top Non-Power Commodity Exports, 2003
Item 2002
Millions of Nu. % Share of total Millions of Nu.
Carbide 640.8 5.5 636.6
Ferro-silicon 596.9 5.1 575.2
Portland cement 406.0 3.5 348.5
Mineral & aerated water 225.5 1.9 20.1
Particle board 184.6 1.6 125.8
Oranges 145.8 1.3 201.6
Gypsum; anhydrite 103.9 0.9 109.1
Mixture of juices 100.0 0.9 69.1
Total 2403.5 20.7 2086.0
Source: Department of Revenue and Customs.
2003


Graph 3.4: Composition of Merchandise Exports
to India: 2003
Others
2.7%
Base metals/
base metal
products
14.9%
Chemical
products
10.6%
Wood and
woodpulp
products
3.6%
Electricity
43.9%
Plastic and
rubber goods
3.4%
Mineral
products
9.9%
Food items
10.9%
Graph 3.5: Composition of Merchandise Exports
to COTI: 2003
Food and
beverages
64.7%
Mineral
products
30.8%
Machinery/
electronics/
base metals
0.1%
Wood/
woodpulp
goods
0.7%
Others
3.6%


Meanwhile, in the debit trade
account, major categories of
imports from India included
capital equipment, food, fuel
and mineral commodities, and
a range of consumer products,
with the largest share going to
machinery and mechanical
appliances, making up 27.1
percent of total Indian imports
during 2003/2004. Most
Indian imports registered an
increase in 2003, while the
highest gainers that year
included machinery and
mechanical appliances, whose
imports grew by 82.3 percent,
and base metal/ base metal
products, which increased by
55.3 percent over 2002
figures. Popular imports from
COTI cover machinery,
electronic items along with plastic/rubber goods, and textiles. While almost all
categories of imports were reduced in 2003, the import of prepared food items
(vegetables fats and oils) and wood pulp products both rose by over 100 percent over
the previous year, while textile imports increased by 22.4 percent.
Graph 3.6: Composition of Merchandise Imports from India:
2003
18.1
19.6
2.5 2.7
2.2
14.1
27.1
5.4
8.1
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
F
o
o
d

i
t
e
m
s
M
i
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a
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/

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/
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e
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s
Percent





Table 3.3: Selected Top Commodity Imports, 2003
Item 2002
Millions of Nu. % Share of total Millions of Nu.
Parts for turbines and water wheels 930.9 15.0 116.8
High speed diesel 813.3 13.1 658.1
Other generating sets 696.1 11.2 5.6
Rice 459.3 7.4 304.5
Beer made from malt 277.2 4.5 251.1
Cars (petrol), below 1000 c.c. 263.5 4.3 168.5
Petrol 255.0 4.1 206.0
Other bars and rods 143.3 2.3 71.4
Total 3838.8 62.0 1782.1
Source: Department of Revenue and Customs.
2003


Graph 3.7: Composition of Merchandise Imports from COTI:
2003
7.2
2.9
7.5
1.8
7.4
70.8
2.4
0.0
10.0
20.0
30.0
40.0
50.0
60.0
70.0
80.0
F
o
o
d

a
n
d

b
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s
Percent























In terms of the direction of trade, India maintains its position as Bhutans key trading
partner. India presently accounts for 94.6 percent of all of Bhutan's exports at
Nu.6,768.8 million in 2003/2004, while Bangladesh follows suit at 3.6 percent (2003).
Meanwhile, the top 3 sources for Bhutanese imports are India, Japan, and Singapore.







Graph 3.8: Exports of Goods by Destination
95.7
3.6
0.7
0 20 40 60 80 100 120
India
Bangladesh
Others
Share in Percentage
2003
2002
Graph 3.9: Imports of Goods by Origin
88.5
1.7
1.7
1.3
1.1
5.7
0 20 40 60 80 100
India
Japan
Singapore
Thailand
S. Korea
Others
Share in Percentage
2003
2002

Invisibles

Table 3.4: Summary of Overall Invisibles Receipts
Millions of Nu.
2001/2002 2002/2003 2003/2004 (p)
Travel 471.9 501.0 671.2
Transportation 320.2 172.0 208.2
Insurance and GNIE 591.6 476.8 491.4
Misc. 32.9 44.2 50.3
Transfers 5,988.2 9,810.7 9,719.8
Income 523.1 561.4 436.3
GNIE: Government not included elsewhere.


In contrast to the reduction in services exports in 2002/2003, services exports grew by
19 percent during 2003/2004 on account of growth in services to India and COTI, as
tourism, insurance and financial receipts picked up even further. The share of
convertible currency tourism receipts to overall services receipts was the largest at
29.6 percent. However, since the import of services from both India and COTI
exceeded exports, it resulted in the net outflow of Nu.379.7 million, which is still an
improvement over the 2002/2003 deficit of Nu.801.5 million. The reduced deficit is
also due to a reduction in payments for services imports by 9.8 percent mainly in the
areas of transportation, and government services expenditure abroad. Travel abroad
by Bhutanese and government services expenditure were among the largest imports
during the period under review.

The net outflow from income of Nu.740.2 million was a 23.6 percent increase from
2002/2003, propelled by lowered investment income by 24.9 percent, together with
large outflows towards compensation of Indian employees in Bhutan (related to aid
and loan projects), as well as interest payments made towards Rupee and convertible
currency debt service. In terms of income receipts for 2003/2004, Nu.393 million
(compared to Nu.523.5 million during
2002/2003) were earned from
investment of the RMA and FIs
deposits held abroad, of which, 63.5
percent were earned from deposits
held in India.

COTI outward remittances from aid-
related projects and programs are
estimated against foreign aid received
by Bhutan, including concessional
loans and grants. This was reflected
in current transfer payments of
Nu.1,391.5 million during 2003/2004.
On the other hand, Indian labor
remittances are calculated based on
average wages of workers, estimated
expenditure and remittances against
the number of workers in the country.
Accordingly, this estimate for BOP
with India was recorded at Nu.913.2
million for the fiscal year ending
2003/2004. As per official figures, the
total number of foreign workers
working in the country (with issued
permits), are estimated at 40,000.
Including day-time border-town
workers, the numbers could rise to
60,000.
Graph 3.10: Invisibles Receipts: 2003/2004 (p)
Transfers
84.0%
Misc.
0.4%
Insurance
and GNIE
4.2%
Transport-
ation
4%
Travel
5.8%
Income
3.8%
Graph 3.11: Income Payments
100.8
131.2
1155.0
1135.1
0.0
200.0
400.0
600.0
800.0
1000.0
1200.0
1400.0
2002/2003 2003/2004 (p)
Millions of
Nu.
External Debt Non-External Debt


In spite of extensive current transfer
outflows, these were more than
adequately supported by current
transfer receipts of Nu.9,719.8 million
as compared to total payments of
2,383.6 million in 2003/2004. The
significant volume of current transfer
inflows were driven by substantial
releases of non-budgetary Indian grant
funds for major power projects, as
well as large convertible currency
official grant disbursements, and
inflow of an IFC commercial loan
during the year. Consequently, a net
inflow for current transfers of
Nu.7,336.2 million was recorded for
the fiscal year, a 2.8 percent fall over
2002/2003.
Graph 3.12: Invisibles Payments: 2003/2004 (p)
Income
21.9%
Travel
24.8%
Transport-
ation
4%
Insurance
and GNIE
4.6%
Misc.
2.1%
Transfers
44.5%
In light of growing numbers of Bhutanese living in foreign countries and sending
money back to their families in Bhutan, commencing from 2002/2003, remittances
from Bhutanese living abroad (specifically the United States) are being included
under the current transfer credit account as NRB remittances. During 2003/2004,
these estimates totaled Nu.58.3 million.


Capital and Financial Account

Bhutan's financial inflows
have constantly been
dominated by concessional
loans provided by foreign
governments and international
aid agencies. Disbursement of
loans was fuelled in recent
years by the development of
the Tala, Kurichhu, and
Basochu hydropower projects.
Commercial borrowings are
negligible and direct
investment has only begun to
take off with recent FDI in the
tourism and hotel industry.
This however is a promising
development in Bhutan's BOP,
especially since inflows from
FDI is the beginning of alternative foreign exchange inflows and corresponding future
improvements in the invisibles account. The future prospects for increased FDI look
positive as Bhutan continues to forge international and regional trade partnerships,
and as the RGOB steps up efforts in improving legal infrastructure that will promote
transparency in its trade and payments transactions.
Graph 3.13: Bhutan: Capital and Financial Account
0.0
1000.0
2000.0
3000.0
4000.0
5000.0
6000.0
2001/02 2002/03 2003/04 (p)
Millions of
Nu.
FDI inflows
Balance on capital and financial account
Net loans

In Bhutans capital and financial account, total financial inflows for FY 2003/2004
increased by 17.4 percent from the last year, owing to greater disbursements of
concessional loans (after deducting repayment of principal amounts) by 9 percent to
Nu.4,934.6 million. Meanwhile, FDI inflows grew by 33.1 percent to Nu.157 million,
and other loans recorded an inflow of Nu.363.3 million (commercial loan from the
IFC).

In conclusion, after provisions for errors and omission, Bhutans BOP recorded an
overall surplus of Nu.373 million for the FY 2003/2004 driven by the combined grant
and financial account inflows.

Corresponding to this increase in
the overall BOP is the
improvement in the country's
international reserves to USD
383.1 million from USD 373
million in 2002/2003. Rupee
reserves increased by 31 percent
to Nu.4,362.8 million, whereas
convertible currency reserve
levels fell by 4.8 percent to USD
287.2 million from USD 301.7
million in 2002/2003.
Graph 3.14: Gross International Reserves
-5000.0
0.0
5000.0
10000.0
15000.0
20000.0
2001/02 2002/03 2003/04 (p)
Millions of
Nu.
Gross international reserves
Current account balance
Balance on capital and financial account





3.1.1. Balance of Payments with India

Imports from India grew by 19.3
percent to Nu.9,789.5 million in
2003/2004, out-sizing exports,
which grew by 32.8 percent to
Nu.6,768.8 million. Due to the
better performance of exports, the
trade deficit narrowed slightly
from Nu.3,111.3 million in
2002/2003 to Nu.3,020.7 million.
As such, the trade deficit as a
percentage of GDP also fell from
11.2 percent to 9.5 percent for FY
2003/2004. And heavy inflows in
the invisibles account, especially
from current transfer receipts
from grants, helped to counter the
trade deficit, resulting in a current
account balance surplus of Nu.2,027.6 million (6.4 percent of GDP).
10
Graph 3.15: BOP with India
-4000.0
-3000.0
-2000.0
-1000.0
0.0
00.0
2000.0
3000.0
4000.0
2001/02 2002/03 2003/04 (p)
Millions of
Nu.
Trade balance
Current account balance
Overall balance
Capital and financial account bal.

With a lower trade deficit, and higher inflows of financial aid in the form of
concessional hydropower project-related loans from the GOI, Bhutans BOP with
India was positive with an overall balance of Nu.1,032.7 million in contrast to a
negative balance of Nu.333.7 million in the previous year.







3.1.2. Balance of Payments with Countries Other Than India

COTI imports picked up and
grew by 54.9 percent to
Nu.1,363.9 million, after a
sudden reduction in 2002/2003
by 56 percent. And despite a
25.1 percent increase in the
export of goods to COTI, import
payments were nonetheless 3.5
times greater than export
earnings of Nu.388.6 million.
Under the services account, due
to the fall in transportation and
government services payments,
combined with better tourism,
transportation, and insurance
receipts, the net outflow on
services was reduced by 55.3
percent to Nu.165.7 million as
of 2003/2004. In terms of
income transactions however, even though earnings from foreign investments were
lower during 2003/2004, they were still sufficient to meet income payments of
Nu.120.7 million, thereby recording a net inflow of Nu.66.3 million. Similarly,
overall current transfers growing by over 50 percent were steered by huge grant aid in
excess of transfer payments. In the end, the current account balance registered a
surplus of Nu.192.7 million from a deficit of Nu.11.4 million in 2002/2003. In
relation to nominal GDP, the current account surplus with COTI stood at 0.6 percent
for the fiscal year under review.
Graph 3.16: BOP with COTI
-2000.0
-1000.0
0.0
1000.0
2000.0
3000.0
4000.0
2001/02 2002/03 2003/04 (p)
Millions of
Nu.
Trade balance
Current account balance
Overall balance
Capital and financial account bal.

And the capital and financial account with COTI for 2003/2004 remained steady, with
a growth in overall inflows by 43.6 percent, out of which, net foreign concessional
loans grew by 18.7 percent to Nu.1,676 million. However, in spite of the current
account and capital and financial account surpluses, after providing for possible errors
and omissions, the overall balance was negative for 2003/2004 at Nu.659.7 million,
down from a positive balance of Nu.2,935.2 million in 2002/2003.

At this point, it is essential to note that BOP figures are conclusively estimates, and
that large inflows in the current transfers and financial account for both India and
other countries must be treated with caution.










































Box 3.1

Policy Measures during FY 2003/2004


January 2004: Bhutan signed the SAFTA Agreement (South Asia Free Trade
Agreement) during the SAARC Summit in Nepal. Members have agreed to lower import
tariffs to between zero and five percent, among SAARC countries, broadening the scope
for trade in the region. The treaty will come into force in 2006, and members are expected
to begin tariff reductions on a mutually-agreed timetable; for Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal
and the Maldives, it is a 10-year period.

February 2004: Bhutan became a member of BIMST-EC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for
Multi-Sectorial Technical and Economic Cooperation). By joining BIMST-EC, Bhutan
hopes to expand new markets for Bhutanese products, attract FDI, develop its services
sectors, and promote economic growth in the region. Member countries (Bangladesh,
India, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Nepal, and Bhutan) signed an agreement to begin
negotiations to establish a Free Trade Area by 2017.

April 2004: In its continued efforts towards boosting the private sector, the RGOB begins
work on developing the Pasakha Industrial Estate, by allotting land to new industries. A
new sub-station to support power needs of the estate will be completed by 2005.

During the year, the MTI also commenced works to revise FDI Regulations in order to
formulate a transparent set of regulations that will facilitate the development of the private
sector. Meanwhile, the Royal Monetary Authority is also redrafting the Foreign Exchange
Regulations of Bhutan, 1997, to include provisions on all current and capital account
transactions. This is scheduled for completion in 2005.


3.2. External Debt and Debt Service

The stock of external debt outstanding grew substantially by 30.5 percent during FY
2003/2004 to USD 529.2 million. Of this figure, 40.8 percent consisted of convertible
currency outstanding loans, amounting to USD 216 million, a 22.2 percent increase
over the previous year. The remaining 59.2 percent of outstanding debt are Rupee
loans of Rs./Nu.14,222.3 million, which is a 29.7 percent increase from last years
outstanding balance of Rs./Nu.10,963.7 million. The growth in total outstanding debt
is largely attributed to the increased disbursements in the loan portfolio, and the
introduction of a new convertible currency commercial loan during the year from the
IFC. Rupee loan disbursements increased only slightly by 4.5 percent over 2002/2003
to Rs./Nu.3,346.2 million towards the Tala hydroelectric project.

Corresponding to the growth in total debt, the ratio of outstanding debt to GDP grew
considerably from 70 percent in 2002/2003 to 75.4 percent in the current period.
Meanwhile, total debt as a percentage of gross international reserves has also
increased from 108.7 percent in 2002/2003 to 138.1 percent in 2002/2003.
Table 3.5: External Debt Indicators
End of period
Item 2000/01 2001/02 2002/03 2003/04 (p)

Debt Outstanding (in millions)
Total (USD) 236.8 291.8

405.5 529.2
Convertible Currency (USD) 106.9 129.9 176.8 216.0
Indian Rupees (Rs.) 6024.4 7803.6 10963.7 14222.3

Debt Outstanding/GDP (%)
1)
51.5 57.9 70.0 75.4

Debt Service Ratio (%)
2)
4.7 4.8 5.0 4.1
Source: Department of Aid and Debt Management. 1) GDP (2000/01=2000). 2) Debt service payments
in percent of exports of goods and services.


Until 2002/2003, all external debt for Bhutan related to soft loans or concessional
debt. The only commercial loan had been procured by the Government in 1988/1989
to purchase an airplane, and repayments on this loan were completed in 1998/1999.
However, during 2003/2004, external commercial debt (non-sovereign) was revived
with the IFC disbursement of a convertible currency loan to Bhutans private tourism
sector. Notably, 62.8 percent of all cumulative loans (both concessional and
commercial convertible currency and Rupee) have been disbursed to the power sector,
while another 24 percent have been shared by the communications, agricultural,
education, industry, financial, and health sectors of the economy (in that order).

Bhutans largest creditor remains the GOI (Rupee loans), with an outstanding Rupee
debt of Rs./Nu.14,222.3 million (USD 313.2 million), followed by the ADB, World
Bank, and the Austrian Government, with outstanding debt figures of USD 82.4
million, USD 52.5 million and USD 50.6 million, respectively.

Expenditure on Rupee debt, i.e., interest and principal repayments, are met in Rupees,
whereas convertible currency loans are serviced by drawing on the countrys
convertible foreign exchange reserves. Total debt service payments on convertible
currency loans amounted to USD 5.4 million for FY 2003/2004, of which 54.8
percent, or USD 3 million, were spent on principal repayments. The convertible
currency debt service ratio decreased only marginally from 23.9 percent to 23.5
percent at the end of June 2004. Meanwhile, on the Rupee side, debt service on the
Chukha hydropower loan amounted to Rs./Nu.108.3 million, of which Rs./Nu.20.8
million were spent on interest and Rs./Nu.87.6 million on principal repayments during
2003/2004. The Rupee debt service ratio also declined slightly from 2 to 1.4 percent
for the period under review.






3.3. Exchange Rate Developments

The Ngultrum is pegged at par to
the Indian Rupee, and therefore,
follows changes in the exchange
rate developments of the rupee.
Bhutan continues to benefit in
terms of exchange rate stability
as Indias foreign exchange
reserves continue to accumulate
at unprecedented levels and
growth remains robust.

The Ngultrum continued its
appreciation against the US
Dollar into the beginning of the
second quarter of the review
year, 2003/2004. From a
monthly average of Nu.46.23 per
US Dollar at the start of the
review year, the Ngultrum
averaged 45.51 per US Dollar at
the end, appreciating by 1.6
percent. During the year, the
Ngultrum reached a 47-month
high rate of Nu.43.93 per USD in
April 2004.
Graph 3.17
Monthly Movements, FY 2003/2004
42.5
43.0
43.5
44.0
44.5
45.0
45.5
46.0
46.5
Jul-
03
AugSept Oct Nov Dec Jan-
04
Feb Mar Apr May Jun
N
u
.

p
e
r

U
S
D
Graph 3.18
Exchange Rate (BTN/US Dollar)
(Fiscal Year Average)
35.0
38.0
41.0
44.0
47.0
50.0
53.0
1999/00 2000/01 2001/02 2002/03 2003/04
N
u
.

p
e
r

U
S
D

Between June 2003 and June
2004, the exchange rate vis--vis
the US Dollar appreciated by 2.7
percent.
Graph 3.19
Appreciation/Depreciation of BTN vis--vis USD
-5.9
-3.8
0.6
5.5
-2.4
-8.0
-6.0
-4.0
-2.0
0.0
2.0
4.0
6.0
8.0
1999/2000 2000/01 2001/02 2002/03 2003/04
%

c
h
a
n
g
e
The Ngultrum averaged 45.41
per USD in 2003/2004 as against
Nu.47.93 per USD in 2002/2003,
reflecting an appreciation of 5.6
percent.

Among other major currencies,
the Japanese Yen appreciated by
8 percent against the US Dollar
between June 2003 and June
2004. The Yen averaged 110.86
per US Dollar in 2003/2004 as
against 119.83 in the previous
year.

The Euro appreciated against the US Dollar by 4.1 percent between June 2003 and
June 2004, as against an appreciation of 22.1 percent over the previous corresponding
period.


















































Box 3.2

Exchange Rate Developments in India, 2003/04

Excess supply conditions dominated the foreign exchange market during the major part of
2003/04, reflecting sustained expansion of the current account surplus in the balance of
payments and surge in capital inflows. Large scale purchases by the Reserve Bank to absorb
excess supplies in the foreign exchange market assuaged the strong upward pressures on the
exchange rate. Despite these interventions, the Indian Rupee appreciated by 9.3 percent against
the US Dollar during 2003/04. This was counterbalanced by the weakening of the Rupee against
other major currencies in tandem with the US Dollar. Consequently, the depreciation of the
Rupee in terms of the nominal effective exchange rate was relatively muted.

In cross-country trade, the Rupee weakened against both the Euro and the Pound Sterling,
reflecting the movements of the Rupee against the US Dollar and movements of the US Dollar
vis--vis the other major international currencies. While the US Dollar depreciated against the
Euro, Pound Sterling and Japanese Yen by 11.4 percent, 14.3 percent and 11.7 percent,
respectively, the Indian Rupee depreciated against these three currencies by 3.2 percent, 6.0
percent and 4.3 percent, respectively, over the year.

Higher exports, remittances and foreign institutional investments (FIIs) resulted in strong
supplies. Despite robust imports, demand for credit was deflected from the domestic market by
an increasing recourse to relatively low cost external commercial borrowings and trade credits.

Although steady inflows from foreign funds and other sources continued into the second quarter,
uncertainties in the foreign exchange market and the RBIs net market purchases of USD 7.8
billion kept the rupee range-bound (Rs.45.71 Rs.46.49).

Sustained US Dollar demand from corporates and importers amidst fears of slowdown in
inflows on account of tightening of the external commercial borrowings (ECB) guidelines drove
down the Rupee by 59 paise or 1.3 percent against the US Dollar between November 14 and
end-November 2003. However, it bounced back against the US Dollar in early December 2003
and the undertone in foreign exchange trading remained firm throughout the month on sustained
investment flows from FIIs, steady inward remittances and a positive sovereign rating assigned
by Standard & Poors.

Liberalization of the ECB regime, the impact of large export receivables, sustained FII inflows
and upgrading of the countrys long-term foreign currency rating by the Moodys Investor
Services buoyed up the Rupee in the last quarter of 2003/04, causing it to appreciate sharply by
5 percent against the US Dollar.

The Rupee came under pressure during May 2004 and reached Rs.45.96 per US Dollar on May
17, 2004 because of turbulence in the equity market, cash dollar shortage and rising global oil
prices. FIIs sold heavily in the Indian equity market on that day. The RBI assured the market
that it would continue to sell Dollars through the banks to augment supply in the foreign
exchange market or would intervene directly to meet any demand-supply mismatches at the
prevailing market rates.

The depreciation continued in June-July 2004 on account of slowdown in capital inflows and
higher demand for foreign exchange by corporates.

Source: Annual Report 2003-04, Reserve Bank of India
4. GOVERNMENT FINANCE

_____________________________________________________________________

The Royal Government continued to focus on poverty reduction through investment
in major sectors of the economy and infrastructure development, with the overarching
objective to bring about sustainable, balanced, and equitable development in the
country. Presented in the revised budget for 2003/2004 as of April 2004, the total
outlay increased by 25.5 percent to Nu.12,479.6 million over the 2002/2003 actual
outlay of Nu.9,945.3 million. Meanwhile domestic revenue exceeded current
expenditure by Nu.593.2 million. And the overall budget deficit for 2003/2004
improved by 35.6 percent over 2002/2003 to Nu.1,861.1 million.




































Box 4.1

Focus of the Financial Year 2003/2004 Budget

Social Sector

Initiative towards human resource development through investment in health and
education.
Emphasis on the consolidation and improvement in the quality of health services.

Communications

Investments in rural telecommunications.
Expansion of rural electrification along with rural telecommunication networks in
the country.

Human Settlements

Effort to promote balanced regional development.
The provision of basic urban amenities including road access, electricity,
telecommunications, water supply and sanitation facilities, and other public
amenities.
Ensuring proper development of urban centers with adequate infrastructure and
social facilities.

Energy

Expand rural electrification and electricity exports to India.
Completion of the construction of the Basochu II hydropower project.

Agriculture

Effort to enhance agricultural productivity through integrated rural development
programs.
Encourage the development of agro-based business.



4.1. Revenue and Grants

According to the 2003/2004
revised budget, total resources,
including revenues and grants,
increased by 50.5 percent to
Nu.10,618.5 million over the
previous years total of
Nu.7,054.3 million. Of total
resources, government revenue
receipts increased by about 29
percent to Nu.6,162.3 million.
Tax revenues improved by 14
percent over the previous year,
and constituted around 54
percent of total domestic
revenue. The composition of
tax collection included
corporate tax, sales tax, and
business tax.

According to the National
Revenue Report for the year
2003/2004, revenue from CIT amounted to Nu.1,015.4 million, of which the CHPCL
continued to be the highest contributor (Nu.585.1 million), followed by the PCAL
(Nu.87.6 million). Direct BIT from tour operators, contractors and other businesses
amounted to Nu.404 million. During the year, PIT contributions totaled Nu.113.5
million, an improvement of about 13 percent from the previous year. And the
collection from BST reached Nu.495.5 million, of which the taxes on goods and
services contributed about 82 percents to the collection.
0.0
2000.0
4000.0
6000.0
8000.0
10000.0
12000.0
1999/00 2000/01 2001/02 2002/03 2003/04
(r)
2004/05
(p)
Nu.in millions
Graph 4.1
Composition of Resources
Total resources Domestic resources Grants

On the other hand, non-tax revenue added Nu.2,365.3 million to overall domestic
revenue, registering an increase of 27.4 percent over 2002/2003. Of this, dividends
and transfer of profits from public enterprises alone contributed Nu.1,951.5 million,
improving by more than 21 percent over the last years collection.

4.2. Foreign Grants

Foreign grants, which finance a major portion of development expenses, grew from
Nu.2,269.1 million in 2002/2003 to Nu.4,456.2 million in the review year, by about
96.4 percent. Grants from the GOI improved substantially by 146 percent from the
previous year, while grants from other sources increased by 62 percent in the same
period. As a consequence, the budget deficit decreased from Nu.2,891 million to
Nu.1,861.1 million in this revised budget.






4.3. Expenditure

Total expenditure as at the end of the financial year 2003/2004 stood at Nu.12,479.6
million, 25.5 percent higher than the previous year. This increase in total expenditure
was mainly attributed to increased current expenditures, in particular, the interest
subsidy to the DACL, membership fees to the IFC, and new appointments in the civil
service. Consequently, current expenditure increased by about 22 percent over the
previous year to Nu.5,569.1 million, or 17.5 percent of the estimated GDP and 44.6
percent of the total expenditure.

According to the most recent
data available, the highest
share of current expenditure
was incurred on providing
general public services,
followed by social services
and economic services at
Nu.2,950 million, Nu.1,726
million, and Nu.898 million,
respectively. In the social
sector, education claimed the
highest share of expenditure at
Nu.1,046.8 million, followed
by the health sector at
Nu.650.1 million. The share
of general public services,
social services, and the
economic services of overall
current expenditure were
estimated at about 53 percent,
31 percent, and 16 percent, respectively.
0.0
2000.0
4000.0
6000.0
8000.0
10000.0
12000.0
14000.0
1999/00 2000/01 2001/02 2002/03 2003/04
(r)
2004/05
(p)
Nu.in millions
Graph 4.2
Composition of Total Expenditure
Current expenditure Capital expenditure

The sectoral budget allocation for capital expenditure showed an increase of about 22
percent, which is Nu.1,205 million higher than the previous years expenditure of
Nu.5,364.4 million. In the sectoral composition of the capital expenditure, the highest
share was allocated to economic services, followed by general public services, and
social services at Nu.3,453 million, Nu.2,313 million, and Nu.804 million,
respectively. Capital expenditure is estimated at about 21 percent of estimated GDP,
while the ratio of capital expenditure to total expenditure is estimated at 54 percent for
2003/2004.










4.4. Financing the Deficit

As per the April 2004 revised
estimates, the overall fiscal deficit
for the review year stood at
Nu.1,861.1 million, which is 5.8
percent of estimated GDP. Total
expenditure and total resources as
a percentage of GDP were
estimated at 39 and 33 percent,
respectively. 60.5 percent
(Nu.1,125.8 million) of the fiscal
deficit were met through external
borrowings from international
development partners, and the
remaining resource gap of
Nu.735.4 million was financed
from domestic borrowings.
Graph 4.3
Deficit Financing for the 2003/2004 (r) Budget
Internal
Borrowings
39%
External
Borrowings
61%


Graph 4.4
Fiscal Balance (% of GDP)
0.0
2.0
4.0
6.0
8.0
10.0
12.0
14.0
1999/00 2000/01 2001/02 2002/03 2003/04(r) 2004/05 (p)
Percent






































































Box 4.2

Summary of the Financial Year 2004/2005 Budget

The Governments expenditure policy for the financial year 2004/2005 continues to rest on
the policy of fiscal sustainability. The proposed budget for the financial year stands at
Nu.13,621.7 million, an increase of 9.2 percent from the revised estimates of the 2003/2004
budget. A major portion of the budget is allocated for capital expenditure (1), constituting
56.2 percent of the total outlay.

The planned outlay continues to focus on rural electrification, the construction of feeder and
farm roads, and the provision of infrastructure in the educational sector. Other
developmental expenditure under budget provisions includes low-income housing, the
construction of the hangar for new airplanes, construction of roads (including the Thimphu-
Babesa expressway project), and the population census program. While, the current
expenditure for the year has been kept at 7.1 percent higher than the revised 2003/2004
budget, expenditure on the wage bill accounts for around 38 percent of the total current
expenditure, followed by the maintenance of infrastructure (8 percent), interest payments (6
percent), and about 4 percent as subsidies to corporations. The plan continues to emphasize
the long-standing policy of the RGOB towards the social services sectors of health and
education, which receive the largest allocation from the budget, followed by agriculture,
roads, and general public services.

On the resources front, domestic revenue (2) is expected to finance 51.2 percent of total
expenditure. According to the DRC, of total domestic revenue, non-tax revenue will
contribute 38 percent, followed by direct and indirect taxes at 36 percent and 26 percent,
respectively. Total revenue is projected to increase by 13.2 percent from the revised
estimates of the 2003/2004 budget, and most of the growth is projected to accrue from non-
tax revenue. Among various sources of tax revenue, corporate income tax is foreseen as the
largest contributor, at about 18 percent of the total domestic revenue, while the tax to GDP
ratio is estimated around 11 percent.

In comparison to the revised budget estimates of 2003/2004, total grant receipts are
expected to decline from Nu.4,456.2 million to Nu.4,375.1 million. Grants from India are
projected to improve from Nu.2,287.2 million to Nu.2,725.4 million, as India continues to
remain Bhutans most important development partner, contributing 62.3 percent of the total
grants for the period.

In terms of sectoral allocation of public finance, the economic sector will receive the largest
share of funds at Nu.5,363.6 million, or 39 percent of total outlay, followed by the general
public services and social services sectors.

The budget deficit for the year 2004/2005, projected at Nu.2,269.8 million, is roughly 22
percent higher than the 2003/2004 estimates. This total resource gap represents 6.3 percent
of projected GDP (3). Of this amount, 60.7 percent will be financed through external
borrowings and the rest through internal sources.


(1) Capital expenditure includes net lending and repayments. (2 )In the revenue estimation, the other
revenue receipts are considered part of domestic revenue. (3) Projected GDP has been taken at
Nu.35,751.2 million from the Ninth Plan Document.
5. WORLD ECONOMY
10


_____________________________________________________________________

Over the past year, global recovery has become increasingly well established.
Between mid-2003 and mid-2004, global output growth (year-to-year change in real
GDP) has averaged 5 percent well in excess of the 4 percent historical trend with
strong growth in industrial countries and exceptionally rapid expansion in emerging
markets, notably China. While global output growth in the first quarter was much
stronger than earlier expected, the momentum of the recovery slowed thereafter.
While some slowdown was both inevitable and desirable following three quarters of
exceptionally rapid expansion, GDP growth in several major countries including the
United States and Japan fell below expectations, raising concerns of an emerging
soft patch. GDP growth in China also eased a welcome development, given
concerns about incipient overheating although recent data suggest a soft landing is
not yet assured.

Global output growth is expected at 5.0 percent in 2004, falling to 4.3 percent in
2005, after 3.0 percent and 3.9 percent in 2002 and 2003, respectively.

In advanced economies, the expansion continues to be led by the United States.
However, second-quarter GDP growth was weaker than expected, and employment
growth has slowed. While this emergent soft patch is most likely to be temporary,
growth forecasts have been marked downward in both 2004 and 2005, and much
continues to depend on a solid rebound in employment. In Japan, the upturn has also
been strong, amid increasing signs that its long-standing problems deflation and
financial and corporate sector weaknesses are easing. While growth slowed sharply
in the second quarter, recent data suggest the near-term outlook remains solid.
However, there are some downside risks, with the key concerns including a further
increase in oil prices and an eventual hard landing in China. The recovery is also
taking root in the Euro Area with the 2004 forecast marked up significantly, but it
remains heavily dependent on external demand. Final domestic demand especially
in Germany has remained relatively weak. Looking forward, given the Euro Areas
past history of slow adjustment to shocks, and with employment likely to strengthen
only gradually, the pace of the expansion is expected to remain moderate.

Output growth in advanced economies is expected at 3.6 percent in 2004, falling to
2.9 percent in 2005, after 1.6 percent and 2.1 percent in 2002 and 2003, respectively.

Other emerging market and developing countries continue to experience a generally
strong recovery, with GDP growth forecasts for 2004 revised upward markedly in all
major regions. In developing Asia, GDP growth is projected to remain between 7 and
8 percent in 2004, led by booming activity in China fuelled by very rapid
investment and credit growth and in India, where despite recent adverse weather
conditions growth is being underpinned by the global expansion and supportive
monetary conditions.


10
The overview is presented on the basis of the World Economic Outlook, September 2004, International
Monetary Fund.
Output growth in other emerging market and developing countries is expected at 6.6
percent in 2004, falling to 5.9 percent in 2005, after 4.8 percent and 6.1 percent in
2002 and 2003, respectively. Output growth in Bhutan is expected at 7.3 percent in
2004, increasing to 7.6 percent in 2005, after 6.7 percent and 6.5 percent in 2002 and
2003, respectively, which is quite similar to the output growth in developing Asia.

After falling to unusually low levels in mid-2003, inflation (year-to-year percentage
change in consumer prices) across the world has turned up, with earlier concerns
about deflation being replaced by fears that inflation is making a comeback.
Inflationary risks vary across countries and regions, but in most appear moderate,
given substantial excess capacity in many countries, generally moderate wage
settlements relative to productivity growth, strong corporate profitability, particularly
in the United States, providing scope for firms to absorb price pressures, and
reasonably well-anchored inflationary expectations. Nevertheless, central banks will
need to be vigilant to ensure that the second-round effects of higher headline inflation
(due to higher oil prices) are well-contained, a task that will be easier in those
countries where central bank credibility is well established.

Consumer prices (year-to-year changes) in advanced economies are expected at 2.1
percent in 2004 and 2.1 percent in 2005, after 1.5 percent and 1.8 percent in 2002 and
2003, respectively. Consumer prices in other emerging market and developing
economies are expected at 6.0 percent in 2004, falling to 5.5 percent in 2005, after 6.0
percent and 6.1 percent in 2002 and 2003, respectively. In line with rising inflation in
India, consumer prices in Bhutan are expected at 3.0 percent in 2004, increasing to 4.0
percent in 2005, after 2.7 percent and 1.8 percent in 2002 and 2003, respectively. In
other words, the inflationary climate in Bhutan might heat up substantially in the near
future.

Table 5.1: Summary Overview of the World Economic Outlook Projections

Percentage change on the previous year
Actual Projections
Indicator 2002 2003 2004 2005

World Output
1)


3.0


3.9

5.0

4.3
Advanced economies 1.6 2.1 3.6 2.9
Other emerging market and developing
countries

4.8

6.1

6.6

5.9

Memorandum items:
Developing Asia 6.6 7.7 7.6 6.9
Bhutan 6.7 6.5 7.3 7.6

Consumer Prices



Advanced economies 1.5 1.8 2.1 2.1
Other emerging market and developing
countries

6.0

6.1

6.0

5.5

Memorandum items:
India 4.3 3.8 4.7 5.0
Bhutan 2.7 1.8 3.0 4.0

Source: World Economic Outlook, September 2004, International Monetary Fund, p. 3, p.
208, and p. 216.- 1) Real GDP.
























6. MACROECONOMIC INDICATORS FOR THE SAARC REGION

_____________________________________________________________________

Selected economic statistics of SAARC member countries have been compiled in
Table 6.1, based on information available with their respective central banks, to give a
comparative overview of economic conditions in the region.

Within the region, India, Maldives, and Bhutan continue to enjoy relatively high
growth as measured by the real GDP. In 2003/2004, there was a GDP growth of 8.5
percent in the Maldivian economy, followed by India where the growth more than
doubled to 8.2 percent. Inflation is also among the lowest in Maldives and Bhutan,
with even a deflation of 2.9 percent recorded for Maldives. Inflation in Bhutan, as
measured on a half-yearly basis, has been lower compared to India (1.2 percent
against 3.5 percent, respectively, in 2003/2004). However, the new and improved
quarterly CPI of the NSB recorded Bhutanese inflation at 4.6 percent in the first
quarter of 2004, which also reflects a closer picture to conditions in India.

On the fiscal front, budget deficit as a percent of GDP has been comparatively higher
for Sri Lanka, Bhutan, and India (7.6, 5.8, and 4.8 percents respectively, in
2003/2004). While the ratio of total revenue and grants to GDP is also, comparatively,
the highest for Bhutan, Sri Lanka, and for Maldives, the percent of total expenditure
and net lending to GDP in these three countries are also the highest.

Bhutans external debt has been steadily rising to account for 75.4 percent of its GDP
in 2003/2004, the highest among the member countries. Next to Bhutan, Sri Lankas
debt to GDP ratio was 64.1 percent, followed by Nepal with 49.5 percent. India lies
on the other extreme with a debt to GDP ratio of 17.6 percent in 2003/2004.
However, Bhutans debt service ratio is one of the lowest in the region, having been
around 5 percent within the last four years and declining to 4.1 percent in 2003/2004,
second only to Maldives (3.9 percent in 2003).


















Table 6.1: Selected Economic Indicators for the SAARC Region


























































Statistics / Indicators *) 1999/00 2000/01 2001/02 2002/03 (p) 2003/04 (p)
I. Growth in Real GDP
a) Bangladesh (1995/96 prices) 6.1 5.4 4.4 5.3 5.5
b) Bhutan (1980 prices) 1/ 7.7 5.5 7.1 6.7 (r) 6.5
c) India (1993/94 prices) 6.1 4.4 5.8 (p) 4.0 (q) 8.2 (re)
d) Maldives (1995 prices) 7.2 4.8 3.5 6.5 8.5
e) Nepal (1994/95 prices) 6.1 4.7 -0.3 2.7 3.5
f) Pakistan (1980/81 prices) 3.9 1.8 3.1 5.1 6.4
g) Sri Lanka (1996 prices) 4.3 6.0 -1.5 4.0 5.9
II. Inflation: CPI Percent Change 2/
a) Bangladesh (1995/96=100) .. 1.7 3.6 5.0 5.6
b) Bhutan (1979=100) 3.6 3.6 2.7 1.8 1.2
c) India (1982=100; industrial workers) 4.8 2.5 5.2 4.1 3.5
d) Maldives (1995=100) 3.0 -1.2 0.7 0.9 -2.9
e) Nepal (1995/96=100) 3.5 2.4 2.9 4.8 4.0
f) Pakistan (1990/91=100) 5.1 2.5 4.4 1.9 8.5
g) Sri Lanka (1995-1997=100) 0.6 8.1 13.4 6.6 1.0
III. Government Budget (as percent of GDP) 3/
Total Revenue and Grants
a) Bangladesh 10.5 10.7 11.4 11.2 11.4
b) Bhutan 42.4 40.7 36.3 25.4 33.3
c) India 9.4 9.2 8.8 9.4 9.5 (re)
d) Maldives 32.1 32.3 33.0 33.2 -
e) Nepal 12.8 13.5 13.5 14.9 14.9
f) Pakistan 4/ 16.3 16.2 17.2 17.7 (pa) 18 (re)
g) Sri Lanka 18.3 17.2 22.9 17 16.2
Expenditure and Net Lending
a) Bangladesh 14.5 14.8 14.9 14.6 14.8
b) Bhutan 46.5 52.4 41.3 35.8 39.1
c) India 15.4 15.6 15.9 16.8 17.1 (re)
d) Maldives 36.1 36.7 37.7 38.1 -
e) Nepal 17.5 19.4 19.0 18.5 18.6
f) Pakistan 22.5 21.0 22.8 22.2 21.9
g) Sri Lanka 25.2 26.7 27.5 25.4 23.7
Overall Budget Balance
a) Bangladesh -4.5 -4.1 -3.1 -3.4 -3.4
b) Bhutan -4.1 -11.7 -5.0 -10.4 -5.8
c) India -5.4 -5.7 -6.2 -5.9 -4.8 (re)
d) Maldives -4.1 -4.4 -4.7 -4.9 -
e) Nepal -4.7 -5.9 -5.4 -3.6 -3.7
f) Pakistan -6.6 -5.2 -5.2 -4.5 -3.9
g) Sri Lanka -6.9 -9.5 -14 -8.5 -7.6
IV. Trade and Balance of Payments 5/
Exports Growth Rate (US$ values)
a) Bangladesh 7.9 12.6 -7.6 9.5 15.9
b) Bhutan 9.2 -12.9 4.1 8.9 39.7
c) India 10.8 21 -1.6 20.3 20.4
d) Maldives -4.3 18.8 1.4 20.1 14.9
e) Nepal 11.7 -20.1 -14.1 12.5
f) Pakistan 8.8 9.1 2.3 19.1 13.8
g) Sri Lanka -3.9 19.8 -12.8 -2.4 9.2

Statistics / Indicators *) 1999/00 2000/01 2001/02 2002/03 (p) 2003/04 (p)
Imports Growth Rate (US$values) 6/
a) Bangladesh 4.8 11.4 -8.7 13.1 13.0
b) Bhutan 14.0 -8.3 9.8 1.7 29.6
c) India 17.2 1.7 1.7 19.4 25.4
d) Maldives 13.6 -3.4 1.3 -0.5 20.2
e) Nepal 6.7 -15.1 6.6 18.4
f) Pakistan -0.1 6.3 -7.5 20.1 20.1
g) Sri Lanka 1.5 22.4 -18.4 2.2 9.3
Trade Balance (US$ million)
a) Bangladesh -1865 -2011 -1768 -2215 -2319
b) Bhutan -71 -70 -83 -77 -88.0
c) India -17841 -14370 -12703 -12910 -16706
d) Maldives -262 -233 -236 -212 262.3
e) Nepal -758 -767 -697 -901 -1106
f) Pakistan -1412 -1269 -294 -444 -1212
g) Sri Lanka -1369 -1798 -1157 -1406 -1539
Current Account (percent of GDP)
a) Bangladesh -0.9 -2.3 0.3 0.3 0.3
b) Bhutan 5.7 1.6 -2.7 8.9 7.0
c) India -1.0 -0.8 0.2 0.8 1.4
d) Maldives -13.4 -8.2 -9.4 -5.6 -
e) Nepal 4.5 4.9 4.3 2.6 2.4
f) Pakistan -0.3 0.5 4.0 5.1 2.0
g) Sri Lanka -3.6 -6.4 -1.4 -1.4 -0.6
Capital and Financial Account (percent of GDP)
a) Bangladesh 0.9 2.4 1.7 1.6 0.5
b) Bhutan 9.7 6.7 12.1 16.7 17.1
c) India 2.3 2.2 2.2 2.4 3.7
d) Maldives 8.2 3.8 5.1 9.5 -
e) Nepal 3.7 -5.4 -7.5 -2.6 -4.2
f) Pakistan -5.7 -0.9 -1.5 -0.2 -1.3
g) Sri Lanka -1.7 -3.1 1.3 2.0 2.8
V. External Debt (end of period)
Total External Debt (percent of GDP)
a) Bangladesh 33.8 31.7 33.4 33.0 31.7
b) Bhutan 40.9 51.5 57.9 70.0 75.4
c) India 22.1 22.6 21.1 20.2 17.6
d) Maldives 31.5 28.5 29.0 34.9 -
e) Nepal 50.2 48.8 52.1 49.1 49.5
f) Pakistan 51.8 52.1 51.0 43.1 37.2
g) Sri Lanka 7/ 63.5 61.0 60.3 62.4 64.1
Debt Service Ratio (percent of X G & S)
a) Bangladesh 9.5 8.8 9.9 9.4 7.5
b) Bhutan 4.9 4.7 4.9 5.0 4.1
c) India 16.2 17.2 13.9 15.1 18.3
d) Maldives 3.9 4.2 4.3 4.3 3.9
e) Nepal 6.0 6.2 8.1 9.7 -
f) Pakistan 31.6 32.7 36.7 22.8 32.5
g) Sri Lanka 15.2 14.7 13.2 13.2 11.6


Statistics / Indicators *) 1999/00 2000/01 2001/02 2002/03 (p) 2003/04 (p)
VI. Exchange Rate Per US Dollar 8/
a) Bangladesh 50.3 53.9 57.4 57.9 58.8
b) Bhutan 43.6 46.4 48.2 47.9 45.4
c) India 43.6 46.4 48.2 47.9 45.4
d) Maldives 11.8 11.8 12.8 12.8 12.8
e) Nepal 68.9 73.6 76.5 78.0 73.9
f) Pakistan 51.6 58.2 61.6 58.6 57.6
g) Sri Lanka 73.0 83.6 93.1 96.7 97.3
VII. Monetary Aggregates (end of period)
Narrow Money (M1) Annual Growth
a) Bangladesh 15.3 12.4 8.1 10.7 13.9
b) Bhutan 28.7 21.3 12.1 37.6 13.9
c) India 10.6 11.0 11.4 12.0 21.8
d) Maldives 14.5 11.1 -5.9 13.9 11.6
e) Nepal 19.4 15.7 9.3 8.6 12.6
f) Pakistan 14.9 3.0 15.2 26.2 24.0
g) Sri Lanka 12.8 9.1 3.2 14.0 16.0
Broad Money (M2) Annual Growth
a) Bangladesh 18.6 16.6 13.1 15.6 13.8
b) Bhutan 21.4 5.5 17.6 29.7 4.1
c) India 9/ 14.6 16.8 14.1 12.7 16.6
d) Maldives 3.6 4.1 9.0 19.3 14.6
e) Nepal 21.8 15.2 4.4 9.8 13.5
f) Pakistan 9.4 9.0 15.4 18.0 19.6
g) Sri Lanka 13.4 12.9 13.6 13.4 15.3
Reserve Money (M0) Annual Growth
a) Bangladesh 15.7 10.9 24.3 3.3 7.8 (r)
b) Bhutan 10.9 -4.8 27.9 34.9 17.0
c) India 8.2 8.1 11.4 9.2 18.3
d) Maldives 10/ 7.2 5.0 8.0 18.8 -1.9
e) Nepal 16.8 15.7 11.9 2.5 14.8
f) Pakistan 25.1 7.1 9.6 14.5 15.4
g) Sri Lanka 8.2 4.7 7.0 12.3 11.9
Income Velocity of Money (GDP/M2)
a) Bangladesh 3.17 2.91 2.77 2.64 2.56
b) Bhutan 2.08 2.26 2.20 1.93 2.13
c) India 1.83 1.71 1.61 1.5 1.49
d) Maldives 2.37 2.41 2.30 2.06 -
e) Nepal 2.04 1.92 1.89 1.84 1.77
f) Pakistan 2.7 2.7 2.5 2.2 2.3
g) Sri Lanka 2.74 2.79 2.76 2.69 2.65
Money Multiplier (M2/M0)
a) Bangladesh 4.38 4.61 4.19 4.69 4.95
b) Bhutan 1.80 2.00 1.84 1.77 1.57
c) India 3.99 4.32 4.40 4.70 4.60
d) Maldives 1.77 1.76 1.78 1.78 2.08
e) Nepal 3.05 3.04 2.84 3.04 3.00
f) Pakistan 2.81 2.86 3.01 3.1 3.22
g) Sri Lanka 4.26 4.60 4.88 4.92 5.08


3/ For Bhutan, all fiscal data for 2003/04 are as of April 2004.
4/ Consolidated federal and provincial governments; excluding grants.
5/ Trade data for Bhutan upto 2001/02 are on a calendar year basis. E.g.- Entry under 2001/02 is for CY 2001.
6/ Import values are fob except for Bhutan which is cif.
7/ Including banking sector external liabilities.
8/ Data on exchange rates from IFS, IMF. Represents the period average for July-June end.
9/ Data for 2002/2003 is adjusted for mergers in the banking system since May 3, 2002.
10/ Excludes Maldives Monetary Authority Certificate of Deposits.
Bangladesh : Annual Report 2003/2004, Bangladesh Bank; Bangladesh Bank website;
IMF Document: Staff Report for the 2003 Article IV Consultation.
Bhutan : Royal Monetary Authority of Bhutan; National Statistical Bureau;
Dept. of Revenue and Customs, and Dept. of Aid and Debt Management, Ministry of Finance.
India : Annual Report 2003-04, Reserve Bank of India (RBI);
Handbook of Statistics on the Indian Economy, RBI 2003-04.
Maldives : Annual Report 2002, Maldives Monetary Authority (MMA); MMA website;
Quarterly Economic Bulletin, June 2004, MMA.
Nepal : Macroeconomic Indicators of Nepal, October 2004, Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB);
Economic Report 2002/03, NRB;
IMF Document : Nepal - Statistical Appendix (to Staff Report for the 2003 Article IV Consultation).
Pakistan : Annual Report 2003-2004, State Bank of Pakistan.
Sri Lanka : Annual Report 2003, Central Bank of Sri Lanka.
Sources:
(p) provisional (r) revised (q) quick estimates (re) revised estimates (pa) provisional actual X G&S: Export of goods &
services. *) Data on Maldives and Sri Lanka are on a calendar year basis. For example, entry under 2003/04 is for CY 2003.
1/ GDP data for Bhutan is on a calendar year basis. For example, entry under 2003/04 is for CY 2003.
2/ End of period; Point-to-point, except for Nepal and Maldives which are annual averages, and Bhutan which is biannual
average (January to June). The base year for Bangladesh has been revised.



























7. ANNUAL AUDITED ACCOUNTS OF THE RMA FOR 2003/2004

_____________________________________________________________________

In accordance with Part 10, Section 46(3) of the RMA Act, 1982, the audited financial
statements for the year ended June 30, 2004, consisting of the Statement of Condition
for the Banking and Issue Divisions and the Income and Expenditure Statement,
audited by M/s P.K Mitra & Co., a chartered accountancy firm from Kolkatta, India,
are appended in this issue of the Annual Report (Annexes X and XI).

During the year, the total assets of the RMA (Banking Division) registered a growth
of 5.5 percent from Nu.10.9 billion, as at the end of June 2003, to Nu.11.5 billion as at
June 30, 2004. About 96 percent of the total assets of the Banking Division consisted
of foreign assets.

During the year, the RMAs operating surplus transferable to the Royal Government
declined by about 28 percent to Nu.51.4 million from Nu.71.5 million in the previous
year. This significant decline in the operating surplus has resulted largely from a fall
in the interest income on investment due to a sharp drop in world interest rates. Total
interest income declined by Nu.17.1 million or more than 8 percent, as compared to
last year. Interest expenditure, mainly on account of the use of central bank policy
instruments the RMA Bills and the CRR decreased by 12 percent during the year,
due to a downward revision of interest rates on both the RMA Bills and CRR.

During the year, there has been a depletion of capital and reserves of the Authority
from Nu.1.3 billion at the end of the previous financial year to Nu.980.3 million at the
end of June 2004, mainly due to a significant decrease in the revaluation reserves as a
result of a constant appreciation of the Ngultrum vis-a- vis the US dollar.

With regard to Ngultrum notes and coins in circulation, their growth recorded at the
end of June 2004, was 16.7 percent, up from Nu.1.8 billion at the end of the previous
financial year to Nu.2.1 billion as at the end of June 2004. It may be noted that the
amount of foreign assets in relation to Ngultrum and coins in circulation works out to
be slightly more than six times larger.



















_____________________________________________________________________



II. STATISTICAL SECTION


_____________________________________________________________________

























Year
Sector 1980 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003(e)
1. Agriculture, livestock,
and forestry 621 3427 3898 4538 5369 6058 6630 7773 8471 9371 10595 32.7
1.1 Agriculture proper 310 1815 2043 2254 2506 2893 3175 3878 4214 4611 5211 16.1
1.2 Livestock production 139 704 806 910 1238 1374 1487 1625 1770 1788 2002 6.2
1.3 Forestry and logging 172 909 1049 1374 1625 1790 1968 2270 2487 2972 3382 10.5
2. Mining and quarrying 7 172 193 270 309 262 326 341 401 501 612 1.9
3. Manufacturing 36 875 1089 1444 1520 1622 1762 1719 1973 2038 2445 7.6
4. Electricity 3 574 1059 1102 1730 1941 2318 2462 2666 3039 3097 9.6
5. Construction 89 787 931 1040 1466 1687 2113 2901 3945 5360 6431 19.9
122 647 731 904 1014 1160 1282 1465 1627 1579 1768 5.5
48 638 688 856 1023 1370 1637 1881 2232 2329 2772 8.6
70 468 503 442 729 1004 1042 1345 1601 1801 2089 6.5
120 709 751 1014 1363 1437 1873 1968 2137 2241 2554 7.9
-20 -148 -231 -203 -527 -458 -442 -528 -736 -478 -479
Gross Domestic Product 1095 8151 9611 11406 13996 16081 18541 21328 24317 27779 31884 100.0
Source : National Statistical Bureau. Figures of past years have been revised in 2001 and in 2004.
Less : Imputed bank service
charges
Share of
GDP in
2003 (%)
TABLE 1. GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT AT FACTOR COST BY KIND OF ACTIVITY
8. Financing, insurance, real
estate, and business services
9.Community,social & personal
services (Government
administration and defense)
7. Transport, storage, and
communications
6. Wholesale and retail trade,
restaurants and hotels
At Current Prices in Millions of Ngultrum
Year
Sector 1980 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003(e)
1. Agriculture, livestock,
and forestry 621 1081 1124 1198 1234 1269 1335 1395 1439 1477 1536 4.0
1.1 Agriculture proper 310 579 585 601 625 647 679 712 742 761 793 4.2
1.2 Livestock production 139 228 243 256 260 263 280 290 294 299 309 3.3
1.3 Forestry and logging 172 275 296 341 349 359 377 394 404 417 434 4.1
2. Mining and quarrying 7 33 35 46 44 51 56 48 57 65 72 10.8
3. Manufacturing 36 233 270 292 292 298 309 290 317 318 350 10.1
4. Electricity 3 259 325 343 354 367 401 398 447 545 556 2.0
5. Construction 89 222 243 243 267 322 399 475 556 695 763 9.8
122 170 178 203 218 225 232 237 254 240 248 3.3
48 242 245 271 309 350 382 405 440 442 491 11.1
70 245 263 256 320 349 339 421 458 426 462 8.5
120 293 330 335 361 363 410 418 441 449 477 6.2
-20 -61 -95 -116 -106 -90 -88 -104 -143 -105 -105
Gross Domestic Product 1095 2716 2918 3070 3291 3503 3775 3982 4266 4551 4849 6.5
Source : National Statistical Bureau. Figures of past years have been revised in 2001 and in 2004. 1) The average rate of growth of Gross Domestic Product from 1993 to 2003
is 6.6%.
6. Wholesale and retail trade,
restaurants and hotels
7. Transport, storage, and
communications
8. Financing, insurance, real
estate, & business services
9.Community,social & personal
services (Government
administration and defense)
Less : Imputed bank service
charges
At 1980 Prices in Millions of Ngultrum
TABLE 2. GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT AT FACTOR COST BY KIND OF ACTIVITY
Growth
from 2002
to 2003 (%)
Millions of Ngultrum
Period
2001 2002 2003
Industry I II III IV I II III IV Total I II
(1) Army Welfare Project 283.8 71.0 58.9 52.7 72.3 255.0 58.9 47.4 29.7 54.3 190.4 58.9 48.9
Exports to India 74.0 20.6 20.2 11.6 14.0 66.3 12.0 8.1 3.2 5.5 28.8 4.5 3.9
Exports to Countries other than India - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Sales within Bhutan 209.8 50.4 38.7 41.1 58.4 188.6 46.9 39.3 26.5 48.9 161.6 54.4 44.9
(2) Bhutan Board Products Limited 294.1 101.3 86.1 101.4 - 288.8 - 288.8 202.70 - 491.5 - -
Exports to India 255.8 - 80.3 - - 80.3 - - - - - - -
Exports to Countries other than India - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Sales within Bhutan 38.3 - 5.8 - - 5.8 - - - - - - -
(3) Bhutan Carbide & Chemicals Ltd. 675.9 155.4 186.4 185.6 180.2 707.5 165.5 176.4 176.8 184.6 703.4 169.9 179.8
Exports to India 509.4 155.4 186.4 185.6 177.4 704.7 163.8 169.8 175.1 178.3 687.0 157.9 178.0
Exports to Countries other than India - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Sales within Bhutan 166.4 - - - 2.8 2.8 1.8 6.6 1.77 6.30 16.4 12.0 1.8
(4) Bhutan Fruit Products Limited 111.6 42.7 36.6 21.0 33.6 133.9 33.4 41.7 25.2 22.2 122.4 32.3 77.2
Exports to India 87.0 37.4 28.6 13.6 28.4 107.9 30.7 31.8 19.0 17.4 98.9 27.9 69.4
Exports to Countries other than India 6.9 0.6 1.5 1.4 0.7 4.2 1.3 1.7 1.0 0.9 4.9 1.1 0.7
Sales within Bhutan 17.7 4.7 6.6 6.0 4.5 21.8 1.4 8.2 5.2 3.9 18.6 3.2 7.1
(5) Bhutan Polythene Company Ltd. 46.9 8.7 15.2 11.2 11.6 46.7 6.4 15.9 6.5 - 28.8 10.9 -
Exports to India 11.5 3.8 4.3 1.1 2.3 11.5 3.5 2.7 3.9 - 10.1 0.0 -
Exports to Countries other than India(*) - - - - 9.3 - - - - - - - -
Sales within Bhutan 35.3 4.9 10.9 10.0 - 25.9 2.9 13.2 2.54 - 18.6 10.9 -
(6) Penden Cement Authority Ltd. 763.9 187.0 222.7 164.6 240.0 814.3 246.8 236.0 183.9 229.4 896.1 234.3 222.3
Exports to India 316.5 60.3 67.7 52.1 78.0 258.1 68.8 76.3 44.2 65.4 254.7 68.8 58.2
Exports to Countries other than India - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Sales within Bhutan 447.4 126.7 155.0 112.5 162.0 556.1 178.0 159.7 139.7 164.0 641.4 165.5 164.1
Total
TABLE 3. SALES OF MAJOR INDUSTRIES
2004
TABLE 3. SALES OF MAJOR INDUSTRIES, CONTINUED
Millions of Ngultrum
2001 2002 2003
Industry I II III IV Total I II III IV Total I II
(7) Bhutan Ferro Alloys Limited 579.0 163.1 158.7 161.8 159.6 643.2 167.1 170.5 165.0 155.6 658.1 172.1 197.7
Exports to India 579.0 163.1 158.7 161.8 159.6 643.2 167.1 170.5 165.0 155.6 658.1 172.1 197.7
Exports to Countries other than India - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Sales within Bhutan - - - - - - - - - - - - -
(8) Bhutan Agro Industries Limited 27.9 5.2 10.8 6.3 5.2 27.7 4.5 7.8 5.3 8.5 26.1 7.7 11.7
Exports to India 13.3 2.0 2.5 1.6 2.0 8.2 1.1 1.4 0.9 3.5 6.9 2.4 5.6
Exports to Countries other than India 1.8 - 0.7 - - 0.7 - - - 0.7 0.7 0.2 -
Sales within Bhutan 12.7 3.2 7.7 4.7 3.2 18.8 3.5 6.4 4.3 4.3 18.5 5.0 6.13
(9) Eastern Bhutan Coal Company 141.0 35.0 32.4 19.2 46.9 133.4 51.0 22.4 11.2 26.0 110.7 - -
Exports to India 8.3 - - 9.9 12.2 22.1 7.8 2.0 0.3 8.5 18.5 - -
Exports to Countries other than India 50.5 10.0 10.0 2.0 7.6 29.7 8.8 0.1 5.6 - 14.5 - -
Sales within Bhutan 82.2 25.0 22.3 7.3 27.0 81.7 34.4 20.3 5.3 17.6 77.6 - -
(10)Druk Satair Corporation Limited 98.3 31.7 31.5 15.9 26.9 106.0 30.6 39.0 23.0 25.8 118.4 32.4 39.9
Exports to India 74.6 22.9 25.4 12.2 23.5 83.9 24.1 31.0 19.6 19.9 94.7 27.1 31.1
Exports to Countries other than India 8.9 1.3 0.4 0.2 0.2 2.1 - 1.5 0.7 0.5 2.6 0.4 0.6
Sales within Bhutan 14.9 7.5 5.7 3.6 3.2 20.0 6.5 6.6 2.7 5.3 21.1 4.9 8.2
(11) Druk Plaster & Chemicals Limited 5.0 10.0
Exports to India 5.0 10.0
Exports to Countries other than India - -
Sales within Bhutan - -
TOTAL 3022.4 699.9 839.2 638.3 776.3 2944.4 764.2 757.1 626.6 706.4 2854.2 723.5 787.6
Exports to India 1929.4 465.5 574.0 449.4 497.4 1986.2 478.8 493.7 431.3 454.0 1857.7 465.7 554.1
Exports to Countries other than India 68.1 11.9 12.6 3.7 17.8 36.7 10.1 3.3 7.3 2.0 22.7 1.8 1.3
Sales within Bhutan 1024.9 222.4 252.7 185.2 261.1 921.4 275.3 260.1 188.0 250.3 973.8 256.0 232.2
Source : Respective Industry. - (-) Nil. -(1) Alcoholic beverages. -(2) Particle boards. -(3) Calcium carbide. -(4) Processed vegetables and fruits. -(5) High Density Polythene (HDPE)
Pipe. (*) Deemed export.-(6)Cement.-(7) Ferro Silicon.-(8) Processed vegetables and fruits -(9) Coal . -(10) Gypsum dust & Gypsum boulders. Note: Data for several industries are
currently unavailable as of June 2004.
2004
Total Basochu Chukha Kurichhu Total Basochu
1
Chukha
2
Kurichhu
3
Total Basochu
4
Chukha
5
Kurichhu
6
2000 2307.4 2307.4 117.8 117.8 2189.6 2189.6
2001 2237.9 2175.1 62.8 140.5 140.2 0.3 2097.4 2034.9 62.5
2002 2594.1 91.1 2132.6 370.5 192.0 36.3 149.5 6.2 2402.2 54.8 1983.1 364.3
2003 2875.0 107.3 2337.3 430.4 199.8 35.7 151.3 12.8 2675.2 71.7 2186.0 417.5
Jan 56.8 2.5 44.3 10.0 16.7 2.5 14.0 0.3 40.1 0.0 30.3 9.8
Feb 53.5 2.0 33.0 18.5 19.0 2.0 13.0 4.0 34.5 0.0 20.0 14.5
Mar 55.4 1.5 35.8 18.1 19.0 1.5 13.9 3.6 36.4 0.0 21.9 14.5
Apr 156.5 2.4 122.5 31.6 15.0 1.9 12.7 0.4 141.4 0.5 109.8 31.2
May 167.4 2.6 129.0 35.8 15.1 1.9 12.8 0.4 152.3 0.7 116.2 35.4
Jun 327.7 11.4 271.9 44.5 14.5 2.9 11.1 0.5 313.2 8.4 260.7 44.0
Jul 421.3 19.3 355.1 47.0 16.1 3.5 12.1 0.5 405.2 15.8 343.0 46.4
Aug 426.8 19.4 359.2 48.2 15.8 3.5 11.7 0.6 411.0 15.9 347.5 47.7
Sep 413.2 19.1 347.2 46.9 15.7 3.5 11.5 0.6 397.5 15.6 335.7 46.2
Oct 409.0 16.1 337.9 55.0 17.3 4.6 12.1 0.6 391.7 11.6 325.8 54.3
Nov 249.1 7.1 197.6 44.4 17.3 4.4 12.3 0.6 231.8 2.7 185.3 43.8
Dec 138.2 4.1 103.8 30.4 18.2 3.5 14.0 0.6 120.0 0.5 89.8 29.7
2004
Jan 90.2 3.0 64.7 22.5 18.1 3.0 14.5 0.6 72.1 0.0 50.2 21.9
Feb 65.2 2.3 42.4 20.5 16.5 2.3 13.6 0.6 48.7 0.0 28.8 19.9
Mar 95.8 2.7 63.2 29.9 17.0 2.2 13.8 0.9 78.8 0.4 49.4 29.0
Apr 160.4 2.9 114.7 42.9 16.4 2.2 13.1 1.1 144.0 0.7 101.6 41.7
May 241.0 6.4 177.7 56.9 17.3 3.1 12.7 1.4 223.7 3.2 165.0 55.5
Jun 374.4 14.4 296.8 63.1 18.0 4.1 12.3 1.6 356.4 10.3 284.6 61.5
Jul 383.4 18.9 344.1 20.4 17.6 4.0 12.7 0.8 365.8 14.8 331.4 19.6
Aug 418.6 18.7 336.1 63.8 18.6 3.9 12.9 1.7 400.1 14.8 323.2 62.0
Sep 468.2 43.5 359.6 65.1 19.7 5.2 12.6 1.9 448.5 38.3 347.0 63.2
2004
Jan 58.8 21.5 46.1 124.2 8.6 21.8 3.7 135.6 79.7 2.0 65.6 123.8
Feb 21.9 17.7 28.4 10.8 -13.1 16.6 4.3 -84.8 41.1 230.8 44.1 36.9
Mar 72.8 72.9 76.7 65.1 -10.7 47.9 -0.3 -75.2 116.5 1440.5 125.7 100.1
Apr 2.5 20.1 -6.4 35.7 9.3 14.8 3.2 177.0 1.8 42.0 -7.5 33.9
May 44.0 144.4 37.8 58.9 14.1 60.8 -0.4 238.0 46.9 393.9 42.0 56.8
Jun 14.2 27.2 9.2 41.9 23.7 40.7 10.1 237.0 13.8 22.5 9.1 39.8
Source: Basochu, Chukha, and Kurichhu Hydropower Corporations. 1) Domestic sale of power is set at Nu.0.5 per unit. 2) Domestic sale of power is set at Nu. 0.3 per unit. 3)
Domestic sale of power is set at Nu.0.3 per unit. 4) Basochu Project does not export power directly to India. It sells its surplus power to CHPC at Nu.1.5 per unit. 5) Chukha Project
power export sale is set at Nu.1.5 per unit. 6) Kurichhu Project power export sale is set at Nu. 1.75 per unit.
Percentage change on the previous year
TABLE 4. SALES FROM POWER PROJECT OPERATIONS
(Millions of Nu.)
Export Domestic Sale Total Sales
Number of Tourists and Revenues in Millions of US Dollars
Period
Number Revenue Number Revenue Number Revenue Number Revenue Number Revenue
Jan 65 0.1 185 0.2 55 0.1 192 0.2 89 0.1
Feb 223 0.2 355 0.4 269 0.2 98 0.1 358 0.4
Mar 1066 1.3 553 0.8 862 1.1 654 0.8 831 1.1
Apr 995 1.4 1632 2.3 683 1.1 1215 1.8 1304 2.0
May 415 0.6 276 0.4 296 0.4 397 0.5 448 0.6
June 187 0.2 146 0.1 79 0.1 176 0.2 314 0.3
July 162 0.2 129 0.1 114 0.1 112 0.1
Aug 307 0.3 252 0.2 213 0.2 198 0.2
Sept 683 1.0 868 1.5 760 1.2 612 0.9
Oct 2247 3.7 1308 2.1 1474 2.4 1456 2.2
Nov 996 1.5 517 0.8 643 0.9 862 1.1
Dec 213 0.2 172 0.2 151 0.1 289 0.3
Total 7559 10.5 6393 9.2 5599 8.0 6261 8.3 3344 4.3
Source : Department of Tourism. -(*) Convertible currency paying tourists. Revenue: Gross revenues inclusive of tour operator revenue and government tax.
TABLE 5. TOURIST ARRIVALS AND REVENUES (*)
2004 2000 2001 2002 2003
Millions of Ngultrum
Period
Item 1998/99 1999/00 2000/01 2002/03
Total Revenue 3,656.9 4,585.4 4,975.8 5,078.2 4,785.3 6,162.3
Tax 1,265.8 1,977.1 1,916.9 2,675.6 2,928.3 3,350.3
Non-tax 2,220.0 2,355.5 2,704.9 2,376.1 1,833.6 1,864.4
Others 171.1 252.8 354.0 26.5 23.4 947.6
Grants 3,262.6 3,274.1 3,711.0 3,748.5 2,269.1 4,456.2
From India 1,928.5 1,927.1 2,551.2 2,531.8 929.3 2,287.2
Others 1,334.1 1,347.1 1,159.8 1,216.7 1,339.7 2,169.0
Total Revenue
and Grants 6,919.5 7,859.5 8,686.7 8,826.7 7,054.3 10,618.5
Expenditure (1) 7,224.4 8,624.1 11,177.6 10,052.1 9,945.3 12,479.6
Current 3,178.3 3,702.1 4,435.6 4,467.9 4,580.9 5,569.1
Capital (1) 4,046.1 4,921.9 6,742.0 5,584.2 5,364.4 6,910.5
Budget surplus or
Deficit (-) -304.9 -764.5 -2,490.9 -1,225.4 -2,891.0 -1,861.1
Financing
Transactions (2) 304.9 764.5 2,490.9 1,225.4 2,891.0 1,861.1
External borrowings
(Net of Principal
repayments) 553.6 606.6 1,056.7 1,396.7 1,537.3 1,125.8
Internal
Resource gap (3) -248.7 158.0 1,434.2 -171.3 250.0 735.4
Internal borrowings
(Net of principal
repayments - - - 500.0
Cash and bank
balances (4) -248.7 158.0 1,434.2 -671.3 1,103.6
Others - - - -
Others: other receipts.
TABLE 6. SUMMARY OF BUDGETARY OPERATIONS
Source- Dept of National Budget and Accounts (Figures may not add due to rounding). (1) Includes lending to public and
joint sector corporations,net of principal repayment (2) Financing transactions by definition must equal the budget deficit o
surplus on revenue/grant/expenditure which they finance. Negative financing transactions depicts net repayment of
borrowings or increase in cash or bank balances (3) The Internal Resource Gap is that part of the budget deficit/surplus
that has to be met from internal resources (Govt Cash and Bank balances or borrowings). A negative resource gap
means net repayments of internal borrowings or an increase in Cash or Bank balance (4) Includes use + or repayment - o
overdraft.
2001/02 2003/04 ( r )
*) These figures pertain to revised budget estimates for 2003/2004 as of September '03, December '03 and April '04.
Quarterly updates for the 3rd and 4th Quarter of the Budget is unavailable till the year-end (June 2005).
Third Quarter of 2003 = 100
Period
Item H1 H2 H1 H2 H1 H2 H1 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2
Index
Food 31.7 95.3 95.9 96.2 98.0 98.4 99.9 99.8 100.0 101.4 101.9 101.1
Non-food 68.3 85.3 90.0 92.1 94.4 95.5 97.0 97.4 100.0 102.3 104.7 104.7
Total 100.0 91.2 93.5 94.5 96.5 97.0 98.7 98.8 100.0 102.0 103.8 103.6
Percentage change on the previous year
Food 31.7 0.6 1.3 0.9 2.2 2.3 2.0 1.4 - - - -
Non-food 68.3 8.9 9.6 8.0 4.9 3.7 2.7 2.0 - - - -
Total 100.0 3.6 4.4 3.6 3.3 2.7 2.3 1.8 - - - -
Source : National Statistical Bureau. -(*) The new index refers to the average prices during the respective quarters. However, prior to Q3, 2003, no
quarterly price indices were calculated and therefore, for Q3 and Q4, 2003 and Q1 and Q2, 2004, year-on-year rates of change of the CPI cannot be
computed.The indices prior to Q3, 2003 represent half-yearly averages. The quarterly index and the half-yearly index cannot be directly compared
because of a different periodicity and a considerable break in continuity (i.e., the expenditure basket has been completely changed). -1) 2003
Household Income and Expenditure Survey. Includes rent.
TABLE 7. SUMMARY OF THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX (*)
Weight in
percent %
1)
2001 2004 2002 2003 2000
TABLE 8.THIMPHU FOOD PRICE INDEX
(*)
Third Quarter of 2003 = 100
Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2
+)
Q3
+)
Q4 Q1 Q2
Cereals and its Products 26.2 100.6 99.0 101.2 99.8 99.5 100.0 100.0 102.2 102.9 101.8
Vegetables, Fruits, and Pulses 12.2 101.0 109.5 86.0 99.4 98.7 100.9 100.0 100.0 100.0 99.6
Edible Oil and Fats
2)
12.0 100.0 99.3 99.3 100.0
Milk, Cheese, and Eggs
2)
14.0 100.0 102.9 100.3 100.4
Meat and Fish
2)
15.0 100.0 100.0 99.6 100.4
Non-Alcoholic Beverages
2)
12.0 100.0 105.5 102.7 101.2
Other Food Items 14.0 105.5 107.6 107.4 99.6 100.1 100.0 100.0 102.7 103.7 103.3
Total Food 102.4 103.8 100.1 99.6 99.6 100.2 100.0 101.5 101.0 100.8
Cereals and its Products 26.2 (0.4) (2.6) 0.0 (1.3) (1.1) 1.0 (1.1) 2.5 3.4 1.8
Vegetables, Fruits, and Pulses 12.2 (12.0) (15.2) (6.3) 4.1 (2.2) (7.9) 16.3 0.6 1.3 (1.3)
Edible Oil and Fats
2)
12.0
Milk, Cheese, and Eggs
2)
14.0
Meat and Fish
2)
15.0
Non-Alcoholic Beverages
2)
12.0
Other Food Items 14.0 (2.6) 0.1 0.6 (6.8) (5.1) (7.1) (6.9) 3.1 3.6 3.3
Total Food (3.3) (3.8) (1.1) (2.4) (2.8) (3.5) (0.1) 1.8 1.5 0.6
Source: National Statistical Bureau. - (*) The index refers to the average prices during the quarter. -+) Between Q2 and Q3 2003 there is a severe break in
continuity. As a result, the data comparability across the break is rather limited and has to be considered with due caution. -1) 2003 Household Income and
Expenditure Survey. -2) These items were not covered in the previous index, which was based on the 1979 Expenditure Survey.
2002 2003 2004 Item
Weight in
%
1)
Percentage change on the previous year
Index
Period
1993-94 = 100
Period Year
1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004
Index
January 98.7 100.0 116.2 122.0 128.3 134.8 140.9 145.9 158.6 161.0 167.8 178.7
February 99.2 100.0 116.9 122.2 128.8 134.2 141.4 146.4 158.6 160.8 169.4 179.8
March 99.3 100.0 116.9 122.2 128.8 134.4 141.7 149.5 159.1 161.9 171.6 179.8
April 100.0 107.5 119.3 123.7 130.9 136.9 142.4 151.7 159.9 162.3 173.1 180.9
May 100.0 108.3 120.2 124.5 130.8 138.2 142.8 151.8 160.3 162.8 173.4 182.1
June 100.0 110.0 120.7 125.1 131.4 139.8 143.3 152.7 160.8 164.7 173.5 185.2
July 100.0 111.1 121.8 127.0 131.6 140.9 143.7 153.1 161.2 165.6 173.4
August 100.0 111.8 121.8 127.8 132.0 140.6 144.6 153.4 161.7 167.1 173.7
September 100.0 111.9 121.9 128.1 132.9 140.8 145.3 154.7 161.7 167.4 175.6
October 100.0 112.7 122.2 127.8 133.3 142.0 146.9 157.9 162.5 167.5 176.1
November 100.0 113.2 122.5 128.0 133.1 142.6 147.0 158.2 162.3 167.8 176.9
December 100.0 114.5 122.1 128.5 133.7 142.1 146.1 158.2 161.8 167.2 176.8
Percentage change on the previous year
January 7.5 1.3 16.2 5.0 5.2 5.1 4.5 3.5 8.7 1.5 4.2 6.5
February 7.6 0.8 16.9 4.5 5.4 4.2 5.4 3.5 8.3 1.4 5.3 6.1
March 7.0 0.7 16.9 4.5 5.4 4.3 5.4 5.5 6.4 1.8 6.0 4.8
April 7.0 7.5 11.0 3.7 5.8 4.6 4.0 6.5 5.4 1.5 6.7 4.5
May 5.8 8.3 11.0 3.6 5.1 5.7 3.3 6.3 5.6 1.6 6.5 5.0
June 4.7 10.0 9.7 3.6 5.0 6.4 2.5 6.6 5.3 2.4 5.3 6.7
July 3.5 11.1 9.6 4.3 3.6 7.1 2.0 6.5 5.3 2.7 4.7
August 2.6 11.8 8.9 4.9 3.3 6.5 2.8 6.1 5.4 3.3 3.9
September 1.7 11.9 8.9 5.1 3.7 5.9 3.2 6.5 4.5 3.5 4.9
October 0.9 12.7 8.4 4.6 4.3 6.5 3.5 7.5 2.9 3.1 5.1
November 1.2 13.2 8.2 4.5 4.0 7.1 3.1 7.6 2.6 3.4 5.4
December 1.4 14.5 6.6 5.2 4.0 6.3 2.8 8.3 2.3 3.3 5.7
Source: Reserve Bank of India.
TABLE 9. INDIAN WHOLESALE PRICE INDEX OF ALL COMMODITIES
Millions of Ngultrum
Assets
Claims Claims
Conver- on Claims on Non-
tible Deposit Claims on Monetary
End of Foreign Money on Private Financial
Period Total Total Rupee Currency Banks Govt. Sector Institutions
1992 2241.9 2027.2 21.7 2005.5 43.7 171.0 0.0 0.0
1993 3126.2 2944.7 59.3 2885.4 107.8 73.7 0.0 0.0
1994 3595.1 3533.2 24.6 3508.6 6.9 0.0 0.0 55.0
1995 4395.0 4337.2 27.6 4309.5 2.8 50.0 0.0 5.0
1996 5602.5 5284.8 25.1 5259.7 307.8 0.0 4.9 5.0
1997 6126.7 6064.6 25.5 6039.0 2.5 51.0 3.7 5.0
1998 9218.6 8022.4 26.9 7995.5 1193.0 0.0 3.1 0.0
1999 10030.6 8840.5 82.3 8758.2 1187.5 0.0 2.6 0.0
2000 11253.8 10357.6 87.8 10269.8 892.7 0.0 3.5 0.0
2001 11011.2 10716.1 1215.5 9500.6 293.2 0.0 1.9 0.0
2002 12321.9 11998.7 913.4 11085.3 194.3 127.0 1.9 0.0
2003
Jan 12381.6 12113.4 945.1 11168.3 139.4 127.0 1.8 0.0
Feb 12148.8 12061.8 936.4 11125.4 85.4 0.0 1.6 0.0
Mar 12174.4 12081.3 946.1 11135.3 91.5 0.0 1.6 0.0
Apr 12894.5 12777.9 1640.8 11137.1 115.1 0.0 1.6 0.0
May 12825.6 12649.2 1156.1 11493.1 174.7 0.0 1.7 0.0
Jun 12527.3 12322.7 863.6 11459.1 147.5 56.0 1.1 0.0
Jul 12556.1 12277.1 889.4 11387.6 221.7 56.0 1.3 0.0
Aug 12556.9 12379.2 913.5 11465.7 120.1 56.0 1.5 0.0
Sep 12288.6 12093.3 679.1 11414.2 137.6 56.0 1.6 0.0
Oct 11495.6 11319.6 600.6 10719.0 118.4 56.0 1.7 0.0
Nov 11763.1 11592.7 610.6 10982.1 113.1 56.0 1.3 0.0
Dec 12223.5 11862.3 987.3 10875.0 303.5 56.0 1.8 0.0
2004 0.0
Jan 13482.7 12847.4 1703.1 11144.3 577.1 56.0 2.2 0.0
Feb 14239.5 12674.1 1701.3 10972.8 1507.5 56.0 2.0 0.0
Mar 13834.6 12727.5 1722.3 11005.2 1104.5 0.0 2.6 0.0
Apr 14464.3 13656.0 2901.3 10754.7 806.0 0.0 2.3 0.0
May 13969.4 13439.1 1466.0 11973.1 528.2 0.0 2.2 0.0
Jun 13477.6 13191.1 1822.4 11368.7 248.7 37.0 0.8 0.0
Foreign Assets
Note: Since September 2001 there has been a reclassification in the Rupee and Convertible Foreign Currency
TABLE 10. ROYAL MONETARY AUTHORITY OF BHUTAN - MONEY AND BANKING STATISTICS(*)
TABLE 10. CONTINUED
Royal Monetary Authority of Bhutan
Millions of Ngultrum
Liabilities
Of which: RMA
Currency Bills Other
End of Outside Govt. Outstand- Capital Items
Period Total Total Banks Total Rupee Others Deposits ing Account ( Net )
1992 2241.9 1256.5 345.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 20.2 0.0 0.0 965.2
1993 3126.3 1364.9 346.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 25.4 0.0 0.0 1736.0
1994 3595.1 1286.8 347.5 616.8 616.8 0.0 29.8 600.0 40.2 1021.5
1995 4395.0 2149.7 432.4 161.1 161.1 0.0 28.6 550.0 88.1 1417.6
1996 5602.6 2328.5 422.5 250.0 250.0 0.0 333.7 1000.0 78.9 1611.5
1997 6126.7 2545.5 720.9 250.0 250.0 0.0 27.9 681.1 48.1 2574.2
1998 9218.6 3954.1 768.8 250.0 250.0 0.0 1207.3 560.0 150.1 3097.2
1999 10030.6 4972.5 969.2 0.0 0.0 0.0 1233.5 486.5 172.5 3165.6
2000 11253.9 6021.6 1269.6 0.0 0.0 0.0 918.2 410.0 220.6 3683.5
2001 11011.2 6160.7 1609.9 0.0 0.0 0.0 337.9 410.0 161.0 3941.7
2002 12321.9 6982.1 1652.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 141.3 1100.0 277.8 3820.7
2003
Jan 12381.6 7177.2 1651.5 0.0 0.0 0.0 134.7 1100.0 280.3 3689.4
Feb 12148.8 7140.4 1750.2 0.0 0.0 0.0 130.3 1100.0 127.6 3650.5
Mar 12174.5 7398.5 1711.4 0.0 0.0 0.0 138.0 900.0 132.6 3605.4
Apr 12894.5 8618.3 1613.8 0.0 0.0 0.0 138.7 400.0 146.2 3591.4
May 12825.6 8030.8 1607.9 0.0 0.0 0.0 147.8 900.0 153.8 3593.2
Jun 12527.3 8123.0 1699.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 174.3 700.0 93.5 3436.6
Jul 12556.8 8291.7 1688.2 0.0 0.0 0.0 196.8 600.0 93.5 3374.9
Aug 12556.9 8440.6 1567.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 165.3 600.0 149.5 3201.4
Sep 12288.6 8209.3 1679.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 167.4 500.0 148.3 3263.6
Oct 11495.6 7680.9 1671.6 0.0 0.0 0.0 160.1 300.0 166.3 3188.4
Nov 11763.1 8038.4 1691.3 0.0 0.0 0.0 150.4 100.0 177.7 3296.6
Dec 12223.5 8368.4 1802.3 0.0 0.0 0.0 356.8 0.0 174.3 3324.0
2004 0.0 0.0
Jan 13482.7 9280.2 1786.2 0.0 0.0 0.0 610.2 100.0 181.1 3311.1
Feb 14239.5 9477.6 1811.5 0.0 0.0 0.0 1262.2 100.0 177.4 3222.3
Mar 13834.6 9381.6 1865.4 0.0 0.0 0.0 1124.4 100.0 108.7 3119.9
Apr 14464.3 10375.2 1830.4 0.0 0.0 0.0 813.4 200.0 124.8 2950.9
May 13969.4 9826.5 1901.3 0.0 0.0 0.0 539.5 200.0 130.9 3272.5
Jun 13477.6 9503.9 2015.2 0.0 0.0 0.0 291.7 200.0 144.9 3337.1
(*) Excluding Rupees in circulation. Money and Banking Statistics revised from 30 June, 1994.
Reserve Money Foreign Liabilities
TABLE 11. AUCTIONS/TAP SALES OF RMA BILLS(*)
Received Accepted
R077 1-Feb-00 92 535.0 150.0 6.0
R078 6-Mar-00 91 535.0 110.0 6.0
R079 21-Mar-00 90 570.0 250.0 8.5
R080 3-May-00 90 570.0 150.0 8.5
R081 5-Jun-00 91 540.0 110.0 8.5
R082 19-Jun-00 91 500.0 250.0 8.5
R083 1-Aug-00 92 500.0 150.0 8.5
R084 4-Sep-00 92 500.0 110.0 8.5
R085 18-Sep-00 91 500.0 150.0 9.5
R086 1-Nov-00 90 500.0 150.0 8.5
R087 4-Dec-00 91 671.0 110.0 7.5
R088 18-Dec-00 91 705.0 150.0 5.5
R089 30-Jan-01 90 520.0 150.0 6.5
R090 5-Mar-01 91 660.0 110.0 5.9
R091 19-Mar-01 91 500.0 150.0 6.0
R092 30-Apr-01 91 550.0 150.0 6.0
R093 4-Jun-01 91 700.0 110.0 5.0
R094 18-Jun-01 91 600.0 150.0 4.9
R095 31-Jul-01 90 650.0 150.0 4.0
R096 3-Sep-01 91 500.0 110.0 3.8
R097 17-Sep-01 91 500.0 150.0 5.4
R098 29-Oct-01 91 300.0 150.0 5.0
R099 3-Dec-01 91 160.0 110.0 5.0
R100 18-Dec-01 90 150.0 150.0 5.0
R101 29-Jan-02 91 770.0 650.0 5.0
R102 4-Mar-02 91 110.0 110.0 5.0
R103 18-Mar-02 92 150.0 150.0 5.0
R104 29-Apr-02 91 650.0 650.0 4.5
R105 3-Jun-02 91 110.0 110.0 4.5
R106 18-Jun-02 93 150.0 150.0 4.5
R107 29-Jul-02 92 665.0 665.0 4.5
R108 2-Sep-02 91 110.0 110.0 4.5
R109 19-Sep-02 91 150.0 150.0 4.0
R110 29-Oct-02 91 500.0 500.0 4.0
R111 2-Dec-02 91 300.0 300.0 4.0
R112 19-Dec-02 91 450.0 300.0 4.0
R113 27-Jan-03 91 500.0 500.0 4.0
R114 5-Mar-03 91 400.0 200.0 4.0
R115 20-Mar-03 91 400.0 200.0 4.0
R116 30-Apr-03 91 600.0 300.0 4.0
R117 28-May-03 91 275.0 200.0 3.5
R118 25-Jun-03 91 400.0 200.0 3.5
R119 30-Jul-03 91 350.0 200.0 3.5
R120 27-Aug-03 91 400.0 200.0 3.5
R121 24-Sep-03 91 200.0 100.0 3.5
R124 31-Dec-03 91 200.0 100.0 3.5
R127 31-Mar-04 91 200.0 100.0 3.5
R128 28-Apr-04 91 100.0 100.0 3.5
R131 28-Jul-04 91 100.0 100.0 3.5
R132 25-Aug-04 91 100.0 100.0 3.5
R134 (**) 27-Oct-04 91 100.0 100.0 3.5
R135 (**) 24-Nov-04 91 100.0 100.0 3.5
Discount
Rate (%)
Maturity in
Days
Auction/Tap Sale
date
(*) Starting from October 29, 2001, Auctions were discontinued and Tap Sales were introduced.
Bids, millions of Nu.
Auction/Tap
Sale No.
Millions of Ngultrum
Assets
Claims Claims Claims
Claims on on on
End of Reserves on Govt. Joint Private
Period Total with RMA Total Rupee Others Govt. Corps. Corps. Sector
1992 2238.9 827.9 212.6 22.6 190.0 2.5 770.1 0.0 425.8
1993 2726.4 1001.2 434.3 129.3 305.0 6.5 795.6 0.0 488.8
1994 2984.1 1416.4 278.5 84.9 193.6 4.6 560.8 238.9 485.0
1995 3921.7 2382.4 252.5 35.4 217.0 1.5 534.6 229.2 521.5
1996 4962.5 2085.3 1545.4 1326.8 218.5 100.0 483.7 187.7 560.5
1997 5743.1 2903.5 1391.5 1153.7 237.9 200.6 449.1 213.3 585.0
1998 6613.3 2672.1 2732.1 2549.8 182.3 50.0 411.4 166.6 581.2
1999 6909.0 3418.1 2395.9 1925.0 470.9 50.0 372.1 135.2 537.7
2000 7813.5 4134.0 2495.2 2070.5 424.6 50.0 332.6 121.7 680.0
2001 9137.7 4342.5 3027.0 2074.7 952.3 250.0 315.2 110.0 1093.0
2002 11300.5 4555.6 4189.8 3002.6 1187.2 853.8 252.0 110.2 1339.2
2003
Jan 10785.2 4553.1 3478.8 2321.1 1157.7 991.0 252.1 100.4 1409.9
Feb 10504.7 4554.8 3003.9 1852.6 1151.3 1167.6 252.2 101.6 1424.6
Mar 11037.2 4604.8 3210.4 1958.9 1251.5 1415.6 252.2 112.3 1442.0
Apr 12394.7 5641.1 3928.1 1848.0 2080.1 1021.5 252.1 106.3 1445.6
May 12444.8 5570.9 3710.6 1795.1 1915.5 1314.6 252.1 106.9 1489.7
Jun 12313.7 5253.6 3612.9 1755.8 1857.1 1538.0 257.2 119.7 1532.2
Jul 12674.3 5565.5 3617.9 1849.6 1768.3 1611.4 245.7 141.7 1492.1
Aug 12934.6 5729.3 3519.1 1793.3 1725.8 1797.6 249.2 105.8 1533.6
Sep 12776.3 5643.0 4040.4 2328.0 1712.3 1129.8 228.1 128.9 1606.2
Oct 12365.3 4824.4 3558.0 1847.1 1710.9 2028.4 270.9 90.0 1593.5
Nov 12338.8 4926.3 4122.5 2283.5 1839.0 1193.4 271.1 98.7 1726.9
Dec 11602.3 4900.7 3937.9 1978.8 1959.1 671.6 252.0 119.2 1721.0
2004
Jan 12505.3 5783.1 4003.5 1873.0 2130.5 671.6 260.1 64.9 1722.1
Feb 11622.1 4841.9 4023.3 1902.2 2121.2 671.6 260.2 82.7 1742.3
Mar 11867.9 4719.3 4274.7 2004.3 2270.5 671.6 290.8 69.4 1842.2
Apr 13007.5 6378.1 3777.0 1956.0 1821.0 671.6 286.9 94.3 1799.7
May 12342.4 5699.7 3739.1 2027.5 1711.6 671.6 287.0 100.7 1844.2
Jun 11498.0 5070.5 3430.0 2001.4 1428.6 699.5 268.5 159.0 1870.6
Foreign Assets
TABLE 12. BANK OF BHUTAN-MONEY AND BANKING STATISTICS
TABLE 12. CONTINUED
Bank of Bhutan
Millions of Ngultrum
Liabilities
Demand Foreign Credit Other
End of Deposits Time Currency Govt. from Capital Items
Period Total (1) Deposits Deposits Total Rupee Others Deposits RMA Accounts (Net)
1992 2238.9 495.9 691.1 55.0 357.2 357.2 0.0 200.3 0.0 533.9 -94.4
1993 2726.4 487.1 1054.9 65.2 567.8 567.8 0.0 311.3 0.0 329.6 -89.5
1994 2984.1 696.5 1266.8 84.2 0.0 0.0 0.0 139.5 0.0 323.6 473.4
1995 3921.7 889.9 1822.1 104.3 0.0 0.0 0.0 344.0 0.0 371.0 390.4
1996 4962.5 1651.6 1370.5 95.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 458.8 0.0 371.1 1015.5
1997 5743.1 1329.8 2787.1 96.4 0.0 0.0 0.0 183.6 0.0 399.3 946.8
1998 6613.3 1638.3 2842.8 183.2 0.0 0.0 0.0 257.3 0.0 410.7 1281.1
1999 6909.0 2151.4 2860.9 356.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 630.3 0.0 451.3 459.0
2000 7813.5 1998.1 3744.7 158.7 0.0 0.0 0.0 330.1 0.0 513.8 1068.0
2001 9137.7 2554.8 3407.8 209.3 973.4 973.4 0.0 731.6 0.0 654.7 606.2
2002 11300.5 4672.4 3203.2 441.9 0.0 0.0 0.0 775.5 0.0 865.8 1341.8
2003
Jan 10785.2 4119.1 3023.7 431.5 0.0 0.0 0.0 845.9 0.0 779.5 1585.5
Feb 10504.7 3507.6 3106.7 410.2 324.1 324.1 0.0 759.8 0.0 784.1 1612.3
Mar 11037.2 3446.6 3116.5 602.5 1014.6 1014.6 0.0 422.7 0.0 804.4 1629.9
Apr 12394.7 3868.6 3273.7 1315.1 380.3 380.3 0.0 653.0 0.0 803.7 2100.2
May 12444.8 4156.6 3530.3 1181.1 1408.6 1408.6 0.0 1029.6 0.0 812.6 326.0
Jun 12498.3 3863.6 3536.1 1159.0 184.6 184.6 0.0 869.9 0.0 853.9 2031.2
Jul 12674.3 4925.9 3670.1 1117.2 135.1 135.1 0.0 1128.4 0.0 854.0 843.6
Aug 12934.6 4378.2 3720.9 1095.8 1013.3 1013.3 0.0 990.5 0.0 852.9 883.1
Sep 12776.3 5618.9 3789.8 1069.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 900.0 0.0 915.1 483.3
Oct 12365.3 5066.0 3325.9 1075.9 130.6 130.6 0.0 767.2 0.0 927.7 1072.0
Nov 12338.8 5199.9 3498.9 1058.5 0.0 0.0 0.0 676.2 0.0 931.9 973.3
Dec 11602.3 4093.8 3519.8 1002.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 924.9 0.0 1034.7 1027.1
2004
Jan 12505.3 4558.0 3425.1 1139.8 0.0 0.0 0.0 913.8 0.0 946.8 1521.8
Feb 11622.1 4267.7 3316.3 1113.5 0.0 0.0 0.0 1043.3 0.0 944.6 936.8
Mar 11867.9 3925.1 3291.4 1191.5 719.3 719.3 0.0 686.6 0.0 973.9 1080.2
Apr 13007.5 5949.8 3270.6 1102.2 842.8 842.8 0.0 834.2 0.0 977.8 30.1
May 12342.4 5076.6 3359.9 688.3 739.1 739.1 0.0 792.8 0.0 985.1 700.7
Jun 11498.0 4569.0 3209.3 560.7 1061.6 1061.6 0.0 901.3 0.0 1010.5 185.5
rupee liabilities are shown separate and are not included in Other Liabilities anymore.
* Rupee liability includes the rupee liability of BOB and is imputed from Jan 2001 onwards.
(1) Demand Deposits include Saving Deposits. Money and Banking Statistics revised from 30 June 1994. From January 2001
Foreign Liabilities
Millions of Ngultrum
Assets
Claims Claims Claims
Claims on on on
End of Reserves on Govt. Joint Private
Period Total with RMA Total Rupee Others Govt. Corps. Corps. Sector
1997 914.5 104.8 135.7 77.6 58.1 0.0 0.0 10.4 663.6
1998 1292.2 228.7 335.9 213.6 122.3 0.0 0.0 7.5 720.1
1999 2736.3 256.8 1659.3 1299.6 359.7 0.0 0.0 5.0 815.2
2000 3705.3 535.5 2221.0 1552.9 668.1 0.0 0.0 5.0 943.8
2001 3975.2 581.1 2053.6 1088.3 965.3 120.0 0.0 7.4 1213.1
2002 4854.7 1917.8 1115.2 651.0 464.3 120.0 0.0 7.6 1694.1
2003
Jan 4876.2 1840.1 1174.2 681.6 492.5 120.0 0.0 7.6 1734.3
Feb 4984.2 1814.4 1265.1 688.9 576.3 120.0 0.0 7.6 1777.1
Mar 5135.1 1823.4 1367.4 738.1 629.2 120.0 0.0 7.6 1816.7
Apr 5073.4 1642.6 1441.2 739.8 701.4 120.0 0.0 7.6 1862.0
May 5359.4 1641.2 1598.0 704.5 893.4 120.0 0.0 7.6 1992.7
Jun 5310.4 1603.6 1572.3 732.2 840.1 120.0 0.0 7.6 2007.0
Jul 5115.0 1462.5 1396.1 704.9 691.2 120.0 0.0 7.6 2128.8
Aug 5143.8 1560.8 1268.7 669.4 599.3 120.0 0.0 7.6 2186.8
Sep 4886.9 1301.1 1207.0 640.0 567.1 120.0 0.0 7.6 2251.2
Oct 5212.8 1433.3 987.8 605.9 381.9 500.7 0.0 7.6 2283.4
Nov 5330.3 1510.3 943.2 579.5 363.7 500.7 0.0 7.6 2368.5
Dec 5361.7 1441.8 966.0 609.8 356.2 541.6 0.0 7.6 2404.7
2004
Jan 5405.1 1441.1 950.1 604.5 345.6 541.6 0.0 7.6 2464.7
Feb 5831.4 1780.1 999.2 592.3 406.9 541.6 0.0 7.6 2502.8
Mar 5938.5 1844.8 935.6 495.1 440.6 541.6 0.0 7.6 2608.9
Apr 6050.8 1814.5 1003.5 529.5 474.0 541.6 0.0 7.6 2683.6
May 6073.6 1992.8 819.8 491.0 328.8 541.6 0.0 7.6 2711.8
Jun 6200.1 2002.4 888.8 552.2 336.6 569.5 0.0 7.6 2731.9
Foreign Assets
TABLE 13. BHUTAN NATIONAL BANK - MONEY AND BANKING STATISTICS
TABLE 13. CONTINUED
Bhutan National Bank
Millions of Ngultrum
Liabilities
Demand Foreign Credit Other
End of Deposits Time Currency Govt. from Capital Items
Period Total (1) Deposits Deposits Total Rupee Others Deposits RMA Accounts (Net)
1997 914.5 117.4 572.2 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 25.4 0.0 139.7 59.9
1998 1292.2 222.1 755.7 4.7 0.0 0.0 0.0 64.9 0.0 157.7 87.1
1999 2736.3 603.6 1506.9 16.7 0.0 0.0 0.0 283.9 0.0 181.8 143.4
2000 3705.3 671.3 2070.7 22.2 0.0 0.0 0.0 301.1 0.0 242.2 397.8
2001 3975.2 683.4 2220.6 30.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 556.2 0.0 303.3 181.7
2002 4854.7 650.4 3057.6 29.6 0.0 0.0 0.0 640.0 0.0 328.5 148.6
2003
Jan 4876.2 671.8 3116.5 58.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 660.7 0.0 330.6 38.4
Feb 4984.2 711.5 3043.8 68.4 0.0 0.0 0.0 723.3 0.0 332.0 105.4
Mar 5135.1 751.4 3026.3 48.5 0.0 0.0 0.0 1048.7 0.0 335.7 -75.5
Apr 5073.4 712.6 2923.1 57.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 1190.3 0.0 340.3 -149.9
May 5359.4 1342.3 2584.5 46.9 0.0 0.0 0.0 871.1 0.0 347.9 166.7
Jun 5310.4 1231.1 2734.7 31.5 0.0 0.0 0.0 779.7 0.0 346.5 186.9
Jul 5115.0 1014.4 2730.6 30.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 817.2 0.0 340.8 182.0
Aug 5143.8 1076.1 2661.8 69.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 854.8 0.0 341.8 140.3
Sep 4886.9 1126.8 2219.3 58.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 920.3 0.0 357.8 204.7
Oct 5212.8 1181.1 2505.9 50.7 0.0 0.0 0.0 967.0 0.0 362.3 145.9
Nov 5330.3 1162.1 2528.8 49.6 0.0 0.0 0.0 1032.9 0.0 367.9 189.1
Dec 5361.7 873.8 2510.0 44.3 0.0 0.0 0.0 1026.0 0.0 700.0 207.6
2004 0.0
Jan 5405.1 940.9 2891.3 53.7 0.0 0.0 0.0 1018.5 0.0 707.3 -206.6
Feb 5831.4 926.0 3166.4 41.2 0.0 0.0 0.0 1054.0 0.0 714.0 -70.3
Mar 5938.5 910.1 3226.3 72.6 0.0 0.0 0.0 944.0 0.0 709.6 76.0
Apr 6050.8 959.0 3273.3 74.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 951.7 0.0 712.7 80.0
May 6073.6 939.6 3302.3 38.2 0.0 0.0 0.0 939.5 0.0 723.3 130.8
Jun 6200.1 1152.8 3281.6 43.7 0.0 0.0 0.0 859.1 0.0 752.5 110.5
(1) Demand Deposits include Saving Deposits.-In January 1997, the Unit Trust of Bhutan was converted to Bhutan National Bank
(the second commercial bank in the country).
Foreign Liabilities
Millions of Ngultrum
Assets
Claims Claims Claims
Claims on on on
End of Reserves on Govt. Joint Private
Period Total with RMA Total Rupee Others Govt. Corps. Corps. Sector
1997 6657.6 3008.3 1527.3 1231.3 295.9 200.6 449.1 223.8 1248.6
1998 7905.5 2900.8 3068.0 2763.4 304.6 50.0 411.4 174.0 1298.3
1999 9645.2 3674.9 4055.1 3224.6 830.6 50.0 372.1 140.2 1352.9
2000 11518.7 4669.5 4716.1 3623.4 1092.7 50.0 332.6 126.7 1623.8
2001 13112.9 4923.6 5080.6 3163.0 1917.6 370.0 315.2 117.4 2306.1
2002 16155.2 6473.4 5305.0 3653.6 1651.4 973.8 252.0 117.8 3033.3
2003
Jan 15661.3 6393.1 4652.9 3002.7 1650.2 1111.0 252.1 108.0 3144.2
Feb 15488.9 6369.1 4269.0 2541.5 1727.5 1287.6 252.2 109.2 3201.8
Mar 16172.2 6428.2 4577.8 2697.0 1880.7 1535.6 252.2 119.9 3258.7
Apr 17468.1 7283.7 5369.3 2587.8 2781.5 1141.5 252.1 113.9 3307.6
May 17804.1 7212.0 5308.6 2499.7 2808.9 1434.6 252.1 114.5 3482.4
Jun 17624.1 6857.2 5185.2 2488.0 2697.3 1658.0 257.2 127.2 3539.2
Jul 17789.3 7028.1 5014.0 2554.5 2459.5 1731.4 245.7 149.3 3620.9
Aug 18078.3 7290.1 4787.8 2462.6 2325.1 1917.6 249.2 113.3 3720.4
Sep 17663.2 6944.1 5247.4 2968.0 2279.4 1249.8 228.1 136.5 3857.4
Oct 17578.0 6257.7 4545.8 2453.0 2092.8 2529.1 270.9 97.6 3876.9
Nov 17669.1 6436.6 5065.7 2863.0 2202.7 1694.1 271.1 106.3 4095.4
Dec 16964.0 6342.4 4903.9 2588.6 2315.3 1213.3 252.0 126.8 4125.7
2004
Jan 17910.4 7224.3 4953.6 2477.5 2476.1 1213.3 260.1 72.5 4186.8
Feb 17453.4 6622.0 5022.5 2494.5 2528.1 1213.3 260.2 90.3 4245.1
Mar 17806.5 6564.0 5210.4 2499.4 2711.0 1213.3 290.8 77.0 4451.1
Apr 19058.3 8192.5 4780.5 2485.5 2295.0 1213.3 286.9 101.9 4483.2
May 18416.0 7692.4 4558.9 2518.6 2040.4 1213.3 287.0 108.3 4556.0
Jun 17698.1 7072.8 4318.8 2553.6 1765.2 1269.0 268.5 166.6 4602.4
*)Bank of Bhutan and Bhutan National Bank.
Foreign Assets
TABLE 14. DEPOSIT MONEY BANKS - MONEY AND BANKING STATISTICS
* )
TABLE 14. CONTINUED
Deposit Money Banks
Millions of Ngultrum
Liabilities
Demand Foreign Credit Other
End of Deposits Time Currency Govt. from Capital Items
Period Total (1) Deposits Deposits Total Rupee Others Deposits RMA Accounts (Net)
1997 6657.6 1447.2 3359.3 96.4 0.0 0.0 0.0 209.1 0.0 539.0 1006.6
1998 7905.5 1860.4 3598.4 187.9 0.0 0.0 0.0 322.2 0.0 568.4 1368.3
1999 9645.2 2754.9 4367.8 372.9 0.0 0.0 0.0 914.2 0.0 633.1 602.3
2000 11518.7 2669.5 5815.4 180.9 0.0 0.0 0.0 631.2 0.0 756.1 1465.7
2001 13112.9 3238.2 5628.3 239.3 973.4 973.4 0.0 1287.8 0.0 958.0 787.9
2002 16155.2 5322.8 6260.8 471.5 0.0 0.0 0.0 1415.4 0.0 1194.3 1490.4
2003
Jan 15661.3 4790.9 6140.2 489.6 0.0 0.0 0.0 1506.6 0.0 1110.1 1623.9
Feb 15488.9 4219.1 6150.5 478.5 324.1 324.1 0.0 1483.0 0.0 1116.0 1717.7
Mar 16172.2 4198.0 6142.8 651.0 1014.6 1014.6 0.0 1471.4 0.0 1140.1 1554.3
Apr 17468.1 4581.2 6196.8 1372.0 380.3 380.3 0.0 1843.3 0.0 1144.0 1950.4
May 17804.1 5498.9 6114.7 1228.0 1408.6 1408.6 0.0 1900.7 0.0 1160.5 492.7
Jun 17808.8 5094.7 6270.8 1190.5 184.6 184.6 0.0 1649.6 0.0 1200.4 2218.1
Jul 17789.3 5940.3 6400.7 1147.3 135.1 135.1 0.0 1945.6 0.0 1194.8 1025.6
Aug 18078.3 5454.3 6382.7 1164.8 1013.3 1013.3 0.0 1845.3 0.0 1194.7 1023.4
Sep 17663.2 6745.7 6009.1 1127.2 0.0 0.0 0.0 1820.3 0.0 1272.9 688.0
Oct 17578.0 6247.1 5831.8 1126.6 130.6 130.6 0.0 1734.2 0.0 1290.0 1217.8
Nov 17669.1 6362.0 6027.7 1108.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 1709.1 0.0 1299.8 1162.4
Dec 16964.0 4967.5 6029.8 1046.4 0.0 0.0 0.0 1950.9 0.0 1734.7 1234.7
2004
Jan 17910.4 5498.8 6316.4 1193.5 0.0 0.0 0.0 1932.4 0.0 1654.2 1315.2
Feb 17453.4 5193.7 6482.7 1154.7 0.0 0.0 0.0 2097.3 0.0 1658.6 866.5
Mar 17806.5 4835.1 6517.7 1264.0 719.3 719.3 0.0 1630.6 0.0 1683.5 1156.2
Apr 19058.3 6908.8 6543.9 1176.4 842.8 842.8 0.0 1785.8 0.0 1690.5 110.1
May 18416.0 6016.1 6662.2 726.4 739.1 739.1 0.0 1732.3 0.0 1708.3 831.5
Jun 17698.1 5721.7 6490.9 604.4 1061.6 1061.6 0.0 1760.4 0.0 1763.0 296.1
(the second commercial bank in the country).
Foreign Liabilities
(1) Demand Deposits include Saving Deposits.-In January 1997, Unit Trust of Bhutan was converted to Bhutan National Bank
Millions of Ngultrum
Assets
Domestic Credit
Converti- Claims Claims Claims Claims
ble on on on on Claims
End of Foreign Govt. Govt. Joint Private on
Period Total Total Rupee Currency Total (Net) Corps. Corps. Sector NMFIs
1992 3031.5 1882.5 -313.0 2195.5 1149.0 -46.9 770.1 0.0 425.8 0.0
1993 3839.2 2811.2 -379.2 3190.4 1028.0 -256.4 795.6 0.0 488.8 0.0
1994 4369.8 3194.9 -507.3 3702.2 1174.9 -164.7 560.8 238.9 485.0 55.0
1995 5397.8 4428.5 -98.0 4526.6 969.2 -321.1 534.6 229.2 521.5 5.0
1996 7129.4 6580.1 1101.9 5478.2 549.3 -692.5 484.7 187.7 564.4 5.0
1997 9286.6 7341.8 1006.8 6335.0 1944.8 14.7 449.1 223.8 1252.3 5.0
1998 11250.9 10840.4 2540.3 8300.1 410.5 -1479.4 411.4 174.0 1301.4 3.0
1999 12665.8 12895.6 3306.9 9588.8 -229.9 -2097.7 372.1 140.2 1352.5 3.0
2000 15661.0 15073.7 3711.2 11362.5 587.3 -1499.4 332.6 126.7 1624.3 3.0
2001 16312.7 14823.3 3405.1 11418.2 1489.4 -1255.7 315.2 117.4 2308.7 3.7
2002 20252.7 17303.7 4567.0 12736.7 2949.0 -455.9 252.0 117.8 3031.5 3.7
2003
Jan 19869.0 16766.3 3947.8 12818.5 3102.7 -403.3 252.1 108.0 3142.2 3.7
Feb 19245.8 16006.7 3153.8 12853.0 3239.0 -325.7 252.2 109.2 3199.6 3.7
Mar 19203.0 15644.5 2628.5 13016.0 3558.6 -73.8 252.2 119.9 3256.6 3.7
Apr 20601.6 17766.8 3848.2 13918.6 2834.8 -840.4 252.1 113.9 3305.4 3.7
May 19785.9 16549.2 2247.2 14302.0 3236.7 -614.0 252.1 114.5 3480.3 3.7
Jun 21323.0 17508.0 3351.6 14156.3 3815.0 -109.8 257.2 127.2 3536.6 3.7
Jul 20818.9 17156.6 3308.8 13847.8 3662.3 -354.9 245.7 149.3 3618.5 3.7
Aug 20201.2 16153.7 2362.9 13790.8 4047.5 -36.9 249.2 113.3 3718.2 3.7
Sep 20882.4 17340.7 3647.1 13693.6 3541.7 -681.9 228.1 136.5 3855.3 3.7
Oct 20672.7 15734.8 2923.1 12811.7 4937.9 690.9 270.9 97.6 3874.8 3.7
Nov 20023.0 15658.5 2473.6 13184.8 4364.6 -109.4 271.1 106.3 4092.9 3.7
Dec 20233.9 16766.2 3575.9 13190.3 3467.8 -1038.5 252.0 126.8 4123.8 3.7
2004
Jan 21049.2 17801.0 4180.6 13620.4 3248.2 -1273.3 260.1 72.5 4185.2 3.7
Feb 20204.0 17696.6 4195.8 13500.9 2507.4 -2090.2 260.2 90.3 4243.3 3.7
Mar 20498.2 17218.6 3502.4 13716.2 3279.6 -1541.8 290.8 77.0 4450.0 3.7
Apr 21082.1 17593.7 4544.0 13049.7 3488.3 -1386.0 286.9 101.9 4481.8 3.7
May 21154.0 17258.9 3245.5 14013.5 3895.0 -1058.5 287.0 108.3 4554.4 3.7
Jun 20740.5 16448.2 3314.3 13133.9 4292.3 -746.0 268.5 166.6 4599.5 3.7
Note: Since September 2001 there has been a reclassification in the Rupee and Convertible Foreign Currency Assets.
Foreign Assets(Net)
TABLE 15. MONETARY SURVEY
TABLE 15. CONTINUED
Monetary Survey
Millions of Ngultrum
Liabilities
Broad Money(M2)
Money(M1, Narrow Money)
Money
Currency Market Other
End of Outside Demand Quasi- Instrument Items
Period Total Total Total Banks Deposits Money (RMA Bill) (Net)
1992 3031.5 1586.9 840.9 345.0 495.9 0.0 746.1 0.0 1444.6
1993 3839.3 1953.3 833.1 346.0 487.1 0.0 1120.2 0.0 1886.0
1994 4369.7 2395.0 1044.0 347.5 696.5 0.0 1351.0 600.0 1374.7
1995 5397.8 3257.8 1331.5 432.4 889.9 9.1 1926.4 550.0 1589.9
1996 7129.5 3563.8 2098.3 422.5 1651.6 24.2 1465.5 1000.0 2565.7
1997 9286.6 5652.2 2196.5 720.9 1447.2 28.4 3455.7 10.6 3623.8
1998 11250.9 6578.3 2792.0 768.8 1860.4 162.8 3786.3 134.1 4538.5
1999 12665.8 8643.4 3902.7 969.2 2754.9 178.6 4740.7 26.2 3996.2
2000 15661.0 10035.4 4039.0 1269.6 2669.5 100.0 5996.3 115.3 5510.4
2001 16312.7 10802.1 4934.5 1609.9 3238.2 86.4 5867.6 5.2 5505.5
2002 20252.8 13875.7 7143.4 1648.3 5322.8 172.3 6732.3 11.1 6366.0
2003
Jan 19869.0 13307.9 6678.2 1651.5 4790.9 235.7 6629.7 11.1 6550.0
Feb 19245.8 12714.3 6085.3 1750.2 4219.1 116.1 6629.0 11.1 6520.3
Mar 19203.0 12851.1 6057.3 1711.4 4198.0 148.0 6793.8 9.1 6342.8
Apr 20601.6 13874.7 6305.8 1613.8 4581.2 110.8 7568.9 -243.4 6970.3
May 19785.9 14586.9 7244.2 1607.9 5498.9 137.4 7342.7 8.9 5190.1
Jun 21323.0 14370.0 6908.7 1699.0 5094.7 115.0 7461.3 6.6 6946.4
Jul 20818.9 15332.3 7784.3 1688.2 5940.3 155.9 7548.0 5.3 5481.3
Aug 20201.2 14700.7 7153.3 1567.0 5454.3 132.0 7547.4 5.3 5495.1
Sep 20882.4 15668.3 8532.0 1679.0 6745.7 107.3 7136.3 4.4 5209.7
Oct 20672.7 14954.0 7995.7 1671.6 6247.1 76.9 6958.3 2.7 5716.0
Nov 21023.0 15305.2 8169.4 1691.3 6362.0 116.1 7135.8 0.9 5716.9
Dec 20233.9 13933.4 6857.3 1802.3 4967.5 87.4 7076.1 0.0 6300.5
2004
Jan 21049.2 14958.3 7448.4 1786.2 5498.8 163.3 7509.9 0.9 6090.0
Feb 20204.0 14689.1 7051.7 1811.5 5193.7 46.5 7637.4 0.9 5514.0
Mar 20498.2 14614.4 6832.7 1865.4 4835.1 132.2 7781.7 0.9 5883.0
Apr 21082.1 16557.1 8836.8 1830.4 6908.8 97.6 7720.3 1.8 4523.2
May 21154.0 15473.5 8084.8 1901.3 6016.1 167.4 7388.6 1.8 5678.7
Jun 20740.5 14966.0 7870.7 2015.2 5721.7 133.7 7095.3 1.8 5772.8
NMFI
Deposits
Millions of Ngultrum
Assets
Claims
on Claims
End Govt. on Claims Claims
of Enter- Private on on Real
Period Total Reserves Total Rupee Others prises Sector DMBs NMFIs Estate
1992 675.3 0.6 0.0 0.0 0.0 20.1 498.6 115.5 0.0 40.5
1993 791.3 18.2 0.0 0.0 0.0 21.7 614.5 94.6 0.0 42.3
1994 868.1 9.6 0.4 0.0 0.4 22.4 667.1 150.3 18.3 0.0
1995 1012.2 24.5 0.6 0.0 0.6 41.5 670.4 262.0 13.1 0.0
1996 1169.3 61.7 1.4 0.0 1.4 41.5 728.4 321.8 14.3 0.0
1997 1426.9 20.0 0.6 0.0 0.6 30.1 720.7 655.5 0.0 0.0
1998 1701.0 167.9 2.1 0.0 2.1 14.9 680.6 835.5 0.0 0.0
1999 2022.8 84.9 55.8 53.1 2.7 41.2 669.9 1171.0 0.0 0.0
2000 956.9 45.5 52.1 51.0 1.1 17.3 842.1 0.0 0.0 0.0
2001 1077.4 30.6 55.4 50.0 5.4 17.3 974.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
2002 1259.1 44.2 8.7 2.7 6.0 18.2 1138.0 50.0 0.0 0.0
2003
Jan 1272.9 44.4 8.5 2.7 5.8 18.2 1151.7 50.0 0.0 0.0
Feb 1296.1 54.0 8.5 2.7 5.8 18.2 1165.4 50.0 0.0 0.0
Mar 1285.1 77.5 8.5 2.7 5.8 18.2 1180.8 0.0 0.0 0.0
Apr 1301.3 68.1 8.5 2.7 5.8 18.2 1181.4 25.0 0.0 0.0
May 1322.0 57.9 9.9 0.0 9.9 18.2 1181.0 55.0 0.0 0.0
Jun 1358.5 92.1 8.8 0.0 8.8 18.2 1184.4 55.0 0.0 0.0
July 1306.1 31.0 8.8 0.0 8.8 25.1 1191.2 50.0 0.0 0.0
Aug 1312.3 16.9 8.8 0.0 8.8 25.1 1211.5 50.0 0.0 0.0
Sep 1307.0 53.2 3.2 0.0 3.2 25.1 1225.5 0.0 0.0 0.0
Oct 1339.2 30.7 3.2 0.1 3.2 25.1 1240.2 40.0 0.0 0.0
Nov 1420.7 42.6 8.8 0.1 8.8 25.1 1244.1 100.0 0.0 0.0
Dec 1468.7 131.7 4.9 0.1 4.8 25.1 1237.0 70.0 0.0 0.0
2004 0.0 0.0
Jan 1401.4 79.4 5.9 0.1 5.8 25.1 1261.0 30.0 0.0 0.0
Feb 1415.2 84.3 5.9 0.1 5.8 25.1 1279.9 20.0 0.0 0.0
Mar 1391.7 45.8 4.1 0.1 4.0 25.1 1296.7 20.0 0.0 0.0
Apr 1410.7 63.6 3.1 0.1 3.0 25.1 1298.9 20.0 0.0 0.0
May 1431.6 73.5 4.1 0.1 4.0 25.1 1308.9 20.0 0.0 0.0
Jun 1459.1 103.4 3.7 0.1 3.6 25.1 1307.0 20.0 0.0 0.0
Foreign Assets
TABLE 16. ROYAL INSURANCE CORPORATION OF BHUTAN - FINANCIAL STATISTICS
TABLE 16. CONTINUED
Royal Insurance Corporation of Bhutan
Millions of Ngultrum
Liabilities
General
Insu - Group
End rance Insur- Credit Capital Other
of Reserve Life GEPF ance from UTB Ac- Items
Period Total Fund Fund Fund Fund DMBs Fund counts (Net)
1992 675.3 61.2 23.8 505.8 0.0 0.0 0.0 12.0 72.5
1993 792.0 73.6 70.0 589.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 12.0 47.4
1994 868.1 72.4 23.8 690.8 60.7 0.0 0.0 43.8 -23.4
1995 1012.2 41.6 0.0 765.1 71.0 0.0 0.0 45.1 89.3
1996 1169.3 43.6 0.0 886.8 80.7 0.0 0.0 63.0 95.2
1997 1426.9 12.3 33.5 1112.1 94.1 0.0 0.0 79.9 95.0
1998 1701.0 14.6 48.5 1363.5 106.4 0.0 0.0 82.6 85.3
1999 2022.8 21.9 34.4 1474.6 122.3 0.0 0.0 463.5 -94.0
2000 956.9 0.0 45.0 509.4 120.0 90.0 0.0 408.6 -216.1
2001 1077.4 0.0 44.1 360.2 153.3 595.0 0.0 156.8 -232.0
2002 1259.1 0.0 55.8 47.8 168.0 673.6 0.0 193.6 120.3
2003
Jan 1272.9 0.0 57.9 51.8 168.0 673.6 0.0 204.5 117.1
Feb 1296.1 0.0 58.2 52.9 168.0 673.6 0.0 218.2 125.3
Mar 1285.1 0.0 58.3 54.6 168.0 673.6 0.0 247.4 83.3
Apr 1301.3 0.0 57.7 55.2 168.0 673.6 0.0 253.1 93.7
May 1322.0 0.0 58.1 0.0 168.0 673.6 0.0 266.5 155.8
Jun 1358.5 0.0 56.9 56.0 185.6 673.6 0.0 247.3 139.1
Jul 1306.1 0.0 59.0 56.2 191.1 636.3 0.0 249.5 114.1
Aug 1312.3 0.0 60.9 57.1 185.5 636.3 0.0 259.2 113.3
Sep 1307.0 0.0 61.4 58.0 193.2 636.3 0.0 260.1 98.0
Oct 1339.2 0.0 62.6 58.9 184.4 636.3 0.0 269.6 127.4
Nov 1420.7 0.0 55.7 60.0 196.2 636.3 0.0 263.8 208.7
Dec 1468.7 0.0 71.6 65.9 188.6 636.3 0.0 269.4 236.9
2004
Jan 1401.4 0.0 77.2 69.8 190.0 549.0 0.0 255.8 259.6
Feb 1415.2 0.0 77.1 70.4 191.5 549.0 0.0 261.9 265.3
Mar 1391.7 0.0 77.4 70.4 192.9 549.0 0.0 262.3 239.7
Apr 1410.7 0.0 78.3 71.4 203.9 549.0 0.0 258.7 249.4
May 1431.6 0.0 77.0 68.8 203.5 549.0 0.0 266.8 266.4
Jun 1459.1 0.0 79.1 70.1 199.6 549.0 0.0 276.3 285.0
Millions of Ngultrum
Assets
Claims Claims Claims Claims Claims
End Claims on on on on on
of on Govt. Joint Private DMBs other
Period Total Reserves Total Rupees Others Govt. Corps. Corps. Sector (1) NMFIs
1992 124.7 3.3 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 2.3 103.6 0.0 15.6
1993 175.2 3.8 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 2.8 147.5 0.0 21.2
1994 297.3 22.7 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 4.9 0.0 230.0 0.0 39.7
1995 349.9 19.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 4.8 0.0 301.5 9.0 15.5
1996 425.8 25.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 2.0 0.0 377.6 21.2 0.0
1997 470.5 28.2 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 1.8 0.0 406.1 34.4 0.0
1998 513.3 28.3 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 1.8 0.0 422.1 61.1 0.0
1999 566.5 28.7 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 1.4 0.0 450.4 86.1 0.0
2000 696.5 46.9 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 1.4 0.0 500.1 148.1 0.0
2001 789.6 39.3 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.9 0.0 643.4 106.0 0.0
2002 959.9 47.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.9 0.0 909.0 3.0 0.0
2003
Jan 1,066.5 131.8 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.9 0.0 933.8 0.0 0.0
Feb 1,043.5 53.8 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.9 0.0 968.8 20.0 0.0
Mar 1,050.7 48.9 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.9 0.0 1,001.0 0.0 0.0
Apr 1,072.3 23.6 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.9 0.0 1,047.9 0.0 0.0
May 1,173.6 96.3 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.9 0.0 1,076.5 0.0 0.0
Jun 1,181.7 89.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.9 0.0 1,091.9 0.0 0.0
Jul 1,186.0 33.7 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.9 0.0 1,126.5 25.0 0.0
Aug 1,185.3 17.4 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.9 0.0 1,141.9 25.0 0.0
Sep 1,211.0 50.2 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.9 0.0 1,144.9 15.0 0.0
Oct 1,214.0 38.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.9 0.0 1,160.0 15.0 0.0
Nov 943.5 17.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.9 0.0 917.6 8.0 0.0
Dec 1,223.9 93.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.9 0.0 1,114.9 15.0 0.0
2004 0.0
Jan 1,225.0 86.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.9 0.0 1,123.0 15.0 0.0
Feb 1,221.9 54.7 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.9 0.0 1,151.3 15.0 0.0
Mar 1,224.7 21.9 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.9 0.0 1,186.9 15.0 0.0
Apr 1,236.9 34.6 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.9 0.0 1,191.4 10.0 0.0
May 1,236.7 25.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.9 0.0 1,200.8 10.0 0.0
Jun 1,231.0 29.2 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.9 0.0 1,191.0 10.0 0.0
Foreign Assets
TABLE 17. BHUTAN DEVELOPMENT FINANCE CORPORATION - FINANCIAL STATISTICS
TABLE 17. CONTINUED
Bhutan Development Finance Corporation
Millions of Ngultrum
Liabilities
Credit
End Credit Credit from Other
of Foreign from from other Capital Items
Period Total Liabilities RMA DMBs NMFIs Grants Account Net
1992 124.7 37.3 50.0 0.0 0.0 7.9 34.4 -4.8
1993 175.2 75.3 20.7 24.3 0.0 14.3 39.9 0.8
1994 297.3 94.9 50.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 155.6 -3.3
1995 349.9 104.7 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 169.0 76.3
1996 425.8 141.9 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 230.3 53.5
1997 470.5 165.2 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 233.2 72.1
1998 513.3 168.9 0.0 0.0 0.0 50.0 242.5 51.9
1999 566.5 186.5 0.0 0.0 0.0 50.0 267.2 62.8
2000 696.5 285.9 0.0 0.0 0.0 50.0 254.5 106.2
2001 789.6 267.4 0.0 0.0 0.0 50.0 346.2 126.0
2002 959.9 349.2 0.0 0.0 0.0 50.0 395.8 164.8
2003
Jan 1,066.5 344.5 0.0 0.0 100.0 50.0 399.4 172.5
Feb 1,043.5 335.0 0.0 0.0 100.0 50.0 403.3 155.2
Mar 1,050.7 335.0 0.0 0.0 100.0 50.0 400.5 165.2
Apr 1,072.3 349.1 0.0 100.0 0.0 50.0 405.1 168.1
May 1,173.6 342.6 0.0 200.0 0.0 50.0 404.0 177.0
Jun 1,181.7 342.6 0.0 200.0 0.0 50.0 393.0 196.1
Jul 1,186.0 341.7 0.0 200.0 0.0 50.0 400.8 193.6
Aug 1,185.3 335.7 0.0 200.0 0.0 50.0 408.7 190.8
Sep 1,211.0 349.3 0.0 100.0 100.0 50.0 408.7 203.0
Oct 1,214.0 349.3 0.0 100.0 100.0 50.0 420.8 193.9
Nov 943.5 335.8 0.0 0.0 0.0 50.0 390.1 167.6
Dec 1,223.9 342.8 0.0 100.0 100.0 50.0 438.8 192.3
2004
Jan 1,225.0 341.9 0.0 100.0 100.0 50.0 432.7 200.4
Feb 1,221.9 335.9 0.0 100.0 100.0 50.0 431.1 204.8
Mar 1,224.7 335.9 0.0 100.0 100.0 50.0 429.1 209.7
Apr 1,236.9 336.0 0.0 100.0 100.0 50.0 429.6 221.4
May 1,236.7 331.5 0.0 100.0 100.0 50.0 434.4 220.8
Jun 1,231.0 331.5 0.0 93.6 95.0 50.0 448.0 212.9
Money and Banking Statistics revised from 30 June 1994.
TABLE 18. FINANCIAL SECTOR INVESTMENT BY ECONOMIC ACTIVITY
Millions of Nu. End of June
Agriculture 10.2 112.9 117.1 148.1 157.6 182.5 168.3 201.9 229.6 247.3 222.4
Bank of Bhutan 4.9 4.5 8.2 6.5 4.6 3.7 3.1 3.2 6.2 6.3 4.3
Royal Insurance Corporation of Bhutan 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.6 0.6 0.7 0.6 0.3 0.2 1.8
Bhutan Development Finance Corporation 5.2 108.3 108.9 141.6 152.5 178.1 164.5 198.0 223.1 240.8 216.3
Bhutan National Bank 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
Manufacturing 793.7 857.6 1,029.0 1,096.2 898.4 715.1 588.0 785.2 974.2 1,290.0 1,484.6
Bank of Bhutan 264.5 382.4 334.6 331.4 291.3 257.0 240.3 222.4 253.8 350.1 499.3
Royal Insurance Corporation of Bhutan 240.5 163.3 317.0 392.4 237.6 182.1 111.3 202.7 256.9 280.5 238.6
Bhutan Development Finance Corporation 97.5 116.9 167.0 145.1 141.4 100.8 71.2 138.3 180.7 210.5 203.8
Bhutan National Bank 191.2 195.0 210.4 227.3 228.1 175.2 165.3 221.8 282.7 448.9 542.9
Building & Construction 550.3 526.8 555.9 583.1 610.1 565.1 620.3 718.8 1,113.4 1,641.3 2,175.7
Bank of Bhutan 91.6 86.0 83.0 84.1 86.5 91.5 99.1 142.0 233.2 341.5 447.5
Royal Insurance Corporation of Bhutan 290.7 280.2 274.8 262.0 268.1 269.6 279.7 273.9 331.5 394.2 440.2
Bhutan Development Finance Corporation 7.8 0.0 54.3 84.4 5.8 23.1 28.4 41.3 140.8 296.3 354.6
Bhutan National Bank 160.2 160.6 143.8 152.6 249.7 180.9 213.1 261.6 408.0 609.3 933.4
Trade & Commerce 365.0 415.2 314.2 383.3 370.6 467.6 427.0 512.3 719.3 960.0 1,395.3
Bank of Bhutan 196.3 198.8 184.7 268.5 223.9 234.5 259.1 249.9 296.9 338.0 478.9
Royal Insurance Corporation of Bhutan 119.3 134.3 90.1 70.2 62.5 105.3 62.8 118.0 152.0 317.8 488.5
Bhutan Development Finance Corporation 5.1 39.2 0.0 0.0 75.1 113.3 89.2 3.7 58.2 81.5 116.0
Bhutan National Bank 44.3 42.9 39.4 44.6 9.1 14.6 15.9 140.7 212.3 222.6 311.9
Transport 663.6 617.7 581.6 597.6 610.5 668.1 598.3 712.0 729.2 795.7 771.7
Bank of Bhutan 587.7 552.9 521.4 515.5 519.4 465.5 405.5 404.2 411.4 462.8 447.5
Royal Insurance Corporation of Bhutan 47.2 45.4 46.5 63.2 51.3 69.4 68.1 160.9 151.2 120.2 68.2
Bhutan Development Finance Corporation 0.7 0.9 0.0 0.0 0.0 46.0 36.9 24.0 12.5 11.2 12.0
Bhutan National Bank 28.0 18.5 13.7 18.9 39.8 87.1 87.8 122.9 154.2 201.5 244.0
Personal & Other Loans 269.7 233.9 246.9 254.2 328.0 479.3 691.0 1,628.1 1,141.0 2,507.1 1,439.3
Bank of Bhutan 102.7 120.2 113.8 105.9 54.8 101.7 138.8 1,002.8 372.7 1,683.9 436.8
Royal Insurance Corporation of Bhutan 47.2 25.5 63.1 57.2 70.0 52.1 154.1 124.1 156.1 46.0 44.1
Bhutan Development Finance Corporation 34.8 11.6 0.0 0.0 47.6 23.6 26.5 181.3 202.8 250.3 266.0
Bhutan National Bank 85.0 76.6 70.0 91.1 155.7 301.9 371.6 319.8 409.3 526.9 692.4
Total 2,652.5 2,764.1 2,844.7 3,062.5 2,975.1 3,077.6 3,092.8 4,558.3 4,906.7 7,441.4 7,489.0
2001 2002 2003 Economic Sector/Source 2004 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000
TABLE 19. OVERALL BALANCE OF PAYMENTS ESTIMATES
Millions of Ngultrum
Period
Item 1996/97 1997/98 1998/99 1999/00 2000/01 2001/02
A. Current Account 653.5 1487.6 384.2 1049.6 343.5 -652.2 2467.5 2220.3
Exports, f.o.b. 3553.8 4274.2 4460.0 4987.9 4615.8 4994.8 5405.9 7157.5
Imports, c.i.f. -4697.2 -5226.1 -6913.7 -8075.2 -7875.0 -8990.2 -9086.9 -11153.4
Trade Balance -1143.4 -951.9 -2453.7 -3087.3 -3259.1 -3995.5 -3681.0 -3996.0
Services
1
157.4 -334.0 -12.8 -498.3 -184.5 -218.0 -801.5 -379.7
Credit 575.9 568.2 758.1 772.0 1444.3 1416.6 1194.0 1421.1
Debit -418.5 -902.3 -770.9 -1270.4 -1628.7 -1634.6 -1995.5 -1800.8
Income -7.2 395.5 408.9 -170.1 119.3 -139.8 -598.8 -740.1
Credit 193.2 526.0 511.1 605.7 803.8 523.1 561.4 436.3
Debit -200.3 -130.5 -102.2 -775.8 -684.4 -662.9 -1160.3 -1176.5
Current Transfers 1646.7 2378.1 2441.8 4805.4 3667.7 3701.0 7548.8 7336.2
Credit 2887.9 3913.9 5167.7 6784.1 5613.2 5988.2 9810.7 9719.8
Of Which Grants 2662.5 3280.4 5146.2 6184.0 5252.1 5338.2 9100.8 9122.9
Debit -1241.2 -1535.8 -2725.9 -1978.7 -1945.4 -2287.3 -2261.9 -2383.6
B. Capital and Financial Account 194.1 167.3 1151.7 1793.6 1428.6 2947.4 4645.5 5454.9
Foreign Direct Investment - - 45.2 0.0 0.0 101.2 117.9 157.0
Portfolio Investment - - - 0.0 -881.4 0.0 0.0 0.0
Foreign Aid (Loans net)
2
204.8 257.8 1404.6 1793.6 2310.0 2846.2 4527.5 4934.6
Other Loans -10.8 -90.6 -298.2 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 363.3
C. Net Errors and Omissions 905.3 1546.8 1985.5 -1310.1 -1535.9 -1052.6 -4511.5 -7302.2
D. Overall Balance
3
1111.7 1766.5 1847.4 1533.1 236.2 1242.7 2601.4 373.0
3
Overall Balance is the Change in Reserves.
2002/03 2003/04 (p)
1
In all prior BOP publications (data till 2000/2001), Services, Income and Transfer Receipts and Payments (also known as 'Invisibles') were grouped as Service Transfer Receipts and Service Transfer Payments.
This format has now been altered to match IMF BOP Standards. Therefore, from 1995/1996, Invisibles are thereafter classified under Net Services, Income and Current Transfers. Kindly refer to the BOP Guide
included in the text.
2
As above, in all prior BOP publications (data till 2000/2001), the Grant component was included in the Capital and Financial Account under Net Foreign Aid. From 1995/1996 onwards, as per IMF standards,
Grants are treated as a Current Transfer receipt.
TABLE 20. BALANCE OF PAYMENTS ESTIMATES WITH INDIA
Millions of Ngultrum
Period
Item 1996/97 1997/98 1998/99 1999/00 2000/01 2001/02
A. Current Account 273.3 42.4 -921.4 1537.5 448.6 -154.5 2478.9 2027.6
Exports, f.o.b. 3227.0 4041.9 4181.0 4711.2 4377.0 4700.5 5095.3 6768.8
Imports, c.i.f. -3068.2 -3684.7 -4919.3 -6065.7 -6231.3 -6988.8 -8206.6 -9789.5
Tala - -28.3 -1114.4 -1479.1 -1363.7 -568.1 -1786.6 -2073.4
Other -3068.2 -3656.5 -3804.9 -4586.7 -4867.5 -6420.7 -6380.8 -7663.3
Trade Balance 158.8 357.2 -738.3 -1354.5 -1854.3 -2288.3 -3111.3 -3020.7

Services
1
114.5 -314.8 -183.1 -684.6 -332.8 -311.9 -430.9 -214.0
Credit 236.1 218.8 251.3 170.0 625.4 669.9 596.5 770.2
Debit -121.6 -533.7 -434.4 -854.6 -958.2 -981.8 -1027.4 -984.2
Income -85.8 34.6 106.5 -532.4 -381.4 -393.8 -712.7 -806.5
Credit 53.7 99.8 166.1 187.7 247.1 195.5 362.9 249.3
Debit -139.5 -65.3 -59.6 -720.1 -628.5 -589.3 -1075.6 -1055.8
Current Transfers 727.0 1400.7 1567.5 4109.0 3017.2 2839.5 6733.8 6068.8
Credit 1378.0 2621.6 3893.0 5509.4 4220.4 3988.4 7672.6 6987.4
Of which Grants 1378.0 2460.4 3812.1 5098.0 4092.3 3586.6 7250.9 6954.0
Of Which Budgetary Grants 947.6 1045.1 1928.5 2188.0 2551.2 1565.3 1431.8 2287.2
Debit -651.0 -1220.9 -2325.5 -1400.4 -1203.2 -1148.9 -938.8 -918.7
B. Capital and Financial Account 58.0 -94.3 968.5 1572.5 1707.9 1863.2 3116.0 3258.6
Foreign Aid (Loans net)
2
-13.9 -94.3 1218.5 1572.5 1707.9 1863.2 3116.0 3258.6
Other Loans 71.8 0.0 -250.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
C. Net Errors and Omissions 476.9 611.0 977.5 -2522.7 -1711.1 -1596.7 -5928.7 -4253.6
D. Overall Balance
3
808.1 559.1 1024.5 587.3 445.4 112.0 -333.7 1032.7
1 and 2
Kindly refer to Overall Balance of Payments Estimates.
3
Overall Balance is the Change in Reserves.
2002/03 2003/04 (p)
TABLE 21. BALANCE OF PAYMENTS ESTIMATES WITH COUNTRIES OTHER THAN INDIA
Millions of Ngultrum
Period
Item 1996/97 1997/98 1998/99 1999/00 2000/01 2001/02
A. Current Account -261.0 10.0 -368.4 -487.9 -105.2 -497.7 -11.4 192.7
Exports, f.o.b. 326.8 232.2 279.0 276.6 238.9 294.3 310.6 388.6
Imports, c.i.f. -1629.0 -1541.4 -1994.4 -2009.5 -1643.7 -2001.4 -880.3 -1363.9
Trade Balance -1302.3 -1309.1 -1715.4 -1732.8 -1404.8 -1707.1 -569.7 -975.3
Services
1
42.9 -19.2 170.4 186.3 148.4 93.9 -370.6 -165.7
Credit 339.8 349.4 506.8 602.0 818.9 746.7 597.6 650.9
Debit -296.9 -368.6 -336.5 -415.8 -670.5 -652.8 -968.1 -816.6
Income 78.7 360.9 302.4 362.3 500.7 254.0 113.9 66.3
Credit 139.5 426.2 345.0 418.0 556.7 327.6 198.5 187.0
Debit -60.8 -65.3 -42.6 -55.7 -56.0 -73.5 -84.7 -120.7
Current Transfers 919.7 977.4 874.3 696.3 650.6 861.5 815.0 1267.4
Credit 1509.8 1292.3 1274.6 1274.6 1392.8 1999.8 2138.1 2732.3
Of Which Grants 1284.5 820.0 1334.1 1086.0 1159.8 1751.6 1849.9 2169.0
Debit -590.2 -314.8 -400.4 -578.3 -742.2 -1138.3 -1323.1 -1464.9
B. Capital and Financial Account 136.1 261.6 183.3 221.1 -279.3 1084.2 1529.4 2196.3
Foreign Direct Investment - - 45.2 0.0 0.0 101.2 117.9 157.0
Portfolio Investment - - - 0.0 -881.4 0.0 0.0 0.0
Foreign Aid (Loans net)
2
218.7 352.1 186.2 221.1 602.1 983.0 1411.5 1676.0
Other Loans -82.6 -90.6 -48.2 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 363.3
C. Net Errors and Omissions 428.4 935.8 1008.0 1212.6 175.2 544.1 1417.2 -3048.7
D. Overall Balance
3
303.6 1207.4 822.9 945.8 -209.2 1130.7 2935.2 -659.7
1 and 2
Kindly refer to Overall Balance of Payments Estimates.
3
Overall Balance is the Change in Reserves.
2002/03 2003/04 (p)
Year
1997/98 1998/99 1999/00 2000/01 2001/02 2002/03 2003/04
1.Rupee reserves 1500.9 2519.3 3106.6 3551.9 3663.9 3330.2 4362.8
41.4 95.3 102.0 89.4 635.7 863.6 1822.4
Bank of Bhutan 1387.5 1845.7 1813.0 2134.6 1964.7 1734.4 1988.3
Bhutan National Bank 72.0 578.3 1191.5 1328.0 1063.6 732.1 552.1
2.Convertible currency reserves 180.5 199.9 221.5 217.0 240.5 301.7 287.2
174.6 193.5 197.7 186.1 202.6 244.4 248.9
Royal Government - - - - - - -
Bank of Bhutan 3.9 3.5 11.3 16.2 18.4 39.6 31.3
Bhutan National Bank 2.0 2.9 12.6 14.7 19.5 17.7 7.0
3.Total reserves (1+2) 216.0 258.3 291.1 292.6 315.3 373.0 383.1
Months of Imports
4.Total reserves 21.0 19.3 19.3 21.0 20.6 23.0 18.8
Rupee reserves 4.9 6.1 6.1 6.8 6.3 4.9 5.3
Convertible currency reserves 59.4 51.9 59.1 74.5 70.6 192.2 115.0
(*) Includes reserve tranche position in the Fund. From March 2004, the definition of Gross International Reserves has been revised and backtracked to exclude RICBL's
Rupee and Convertible Currency reserves. Note: Months of imports are calculated using gross international reserves figures.
Royal Monetary Authority of Bhutan
Royal Monetary Authority of Bhutan
Millions of US Dollars
TABLE 22. GROSS INTERNATIONAL RESERVES (*)
Item
End of Period
Millions of Ngultrum
Animal Products 209.9 270.6 317.6 368.6 3.6
Cereals,Vegetables,Fruits,Nuts,Coffee,Tea &Spices 502.4 555.6 607.5 745.2 7.3
Vegetables Fats and Oil 168.6 201.0 220.9 174.5 1.7
Prepared foodstuffs 422.2 503.8 545.8 573.9 5.6
Mineral Products 1,227.8 1,512.7 1,434.7 1,860.5 18.1
Products of Chemical Industries 428.0 514.8 456.2 562.5 5.5
Plastics & Rubber Products 150.3 157.7 179.5 261.6 2.5
Raw Hides & Skins 3.5 5.2 5.4 4.0 0.0
Wood and Wood Products 238.8 148.5 96.5 100.5 1.0
Woodpulp Products 148.2 151.4 144.6 179.9 1.8
Textiles 155.3 168.7 180.9 152.2 1.5
Footwear, Headgear and Clothing Accessories 70.6 49.7 64.0 71.1 0.7
Stone,Plaster,Cement and Asbestos Products 80.5 145.4 133.5 155.5 1.5
Precious or Semi-precious Metal & Stone Products 0.3 0.1 0.4 0.4 0.0
Base Metals and Base Metal Products 791.7 969.2 928.3 1,441.8 14.1
Machinery and Mechanical Appliances 966.9 1,014.0 1,528.2 2,785.6 27.1
Transport Vehicles and Equipment 503.9 454.9 562.6 559.0 5.4
Optical, Photographic & Measuring Equipment 76.7 87.9 95.7 201.0 2.0
Miscellaneous Manufactured Articles 85.6 77.5 78.4 61.9 0.6
Works of Art, Antiques & Special Transactions 0.1 0.1 0.5 0.4 0.0
TOTAL 6,231.3 6,988.8 7,581.3 10,260.1 100.0
Millions of Ngultrum
Animal Products 0.3 0.0 0.4 0.0 0.0
Vegetables,Fruits,Nuts,Coffee,Tea & Spices 197.7 279.9 391.1 257.0 4.3
Vegetables Fats & Oil 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
Prepared Foodstuffs 194.4 218.5 208.5 391.3 6.6
Mineral Products 527.4 609.5 534.4 587.6 9.9
Electricity* 2,189.6 2,072.9 2,347.4 2,603.5 43.9
Plastic & Rubber Products 10.8 55.5 84.0 199.3 3.4
Raw Hides & Skins 2.8 2.5 4.0 4.2 0.1
Wood & Wood Products 250.6 241.4 176.5 214.7 3.6
Woodpulp Products 0.2 1.0 0.3 0.4 0.0
Textiles 1.8 1.0 13.2 112.8 1.9
Footwear,Headgear & Clothing Accessories 0.2 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
Stone, Plaster,Cement, & Asbestos Products 12.5 14.2 22.5 18.0 0.3
Base Metals & Base Metal Products 450.0 595.1 627.9 882.3 14.9
Machinery & Mechanical Appliances 6.4 0.1 39.2 4.4 0.1
Transport Vehicles & Equipment 1.1 0.4 3.2 0.2 0.0
Optical, Photographic & Measuring Equipment & Parts** - 4.4 2.1 0.0
Miscellaneous Manufactured Articles 45.6 19.4 12.4 18.0 0.3
Products of Chemical Industries 485.5 589.0 667.6 630.0 10.6
Works of Art,Antiques, & Special Transactions 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0
TOTAL 4,377.0 4,700.5 5,137.0 5,925.9 100.0
Source: Department of Revenue & Customs.
* Electricity exports for 2002 is taken from Chukha and Kurichhu Sales for that year.
** This category has been eliminated by DRC for 2000.
2001
Mineral imports are inclusive of electricity imports. Source of electricity imports: Chukha and Kurichhu Power Project
Authorities, and Department of Energy, Ministry of Trade and Industry.
2000
2003
2003
Share of
Imports in
2003 in %
Share of
Exports in
2003 in %
TABLE 23B. COMPOSITION OF TRADE WITH INDIA (EXPORTS)
2000
2002
2002 2001
TABLE 23A. COMPOSITION OF TRADE WITH INDIA (IMPORTS)
Item
Item
Millions of Ngultrum
Animal Products 2.3 7.0 8.5 8.0 0.6
Vegetables,Fruits,Nuts,Coffee,Cereals,Seeds 3.1 3.4 19.1 4.9 0.4
Vegetable Fats and Oil 6.0 10.3 19.5 50.7 3.8
Whiskies and Processed Food 46.1 77.1 60.4 32.4 2.4
Mineral Oil and Fuel 66.9 1.4 31.6 0.7 0.1
Products of Chemical Industries 9.1 19.1 26.3 26.0 1.9
Medicines and Pharmaceuticals 20.6 24.0 11.1 12.5 0.9
Photographic Film and Materials 0.4 2.1 2.4 0.1 0.0
Plastic and Rubber Products 84.6 131.9 105.4 100.2 7.5
Wood Products 12.5 21.7 10.9 2.2 0.2
Woodpulp Products 38.1 21.3 10.5 21.9 1.6
Textiles 43.9 60.2 81.1 99.2 7.4
Machinery,Mechanical Appliances, Base Metals 1,268.1 1539.3 1506.2 947.9 70.8
and Electronic Items
Ceramic and Melamine Products 0.8 13.3 10.9 0.7 0.1
Trekking Equipment, Footwear, Carpets 5.7 13.0 12.7 9.2 0.7
Miscellaneous Manufactured Articles 28.1 30.8 36.1 17.0 1.3
Precious and Semi-precious Metals 0.5 1.1 0.0 2.8 0.2
Tobacco and Cigarettes 5.0 3.3 5.3 2.0 0.2
Personal Effects 1.8 21.1 15.6 0.0 0.0
TOTAL 1,643.7 2001.4 1972.6 1338.4 100.0
Millions of Ngultrum
Vegetables & Fruits 117.9 163.9 115.1 166.1 62.9
Processed Food 14.3 14.3 6.5 4.8 1.8
Mineral Products 74.7 92.0 139.3 81.5 30.8
Plastic Products 0.0 0.0 0.0 2.5 1.0
Photographic Film & Photographic Materials 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
Wood Products 0.1 1.1 7.1 1.8 0.7
Woodpulp Products 3.2 7.8 1.5 0.1 0.0
Textiles 14.0 5.0 10.9 0.2 0.1
Coins 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
Base Metals & Base Metal Products 0.0 0.0 2.6 0.1 0.0
Machinery 4.2 0.0 56.7 0.2 0.1
Philatelic Products 0.3 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
Handicrafts Products 0.5 2.3 0.4 0.1 0.0
Household items & Personal effects 9.8 7.8 2.4 6.8 2.6
TOTAL 238.9 294.3 341.5 264.2 100.0
Source: Department of Revenue & Customs.
TABLE 24A. COMPOSITION OF TRADE WITH COUNTRIES OTHER THAN INDIA (IMPORTS)
TABLE 24B. COMPOSITION OF TRADE WITH COUNTRIES OTHER THAN INDIA (EXPORTS)
2001
2000
2000
2001 Item
Item
Share of
Imports in
2003 in %
Share of
Exports in
2003 in %
2002
2002 2003
2003
Millions of Ngultrum
Item 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003
Exports
India 1,945.8 3,079.0 3,227.0 4,041.9 4,175.6 4,711.2 4,377.0 4,700.5 5,137.0 5,925.9
Bangladesh 127.6 201.1 261.7 179.4 194.7 209.5 164.8 222.4 221.7 223.9
Others 9.2 70.0 65.1 52.9 85.3 67.3 74.1 71.9 119.8 40.3
Total 2,082.7 3,350.1 3,553.8 4,274.2 4,455.6 4,988.0 4,615.8 4,994.7 5,478.6 6,190.1
Imports
India 2,051.3 2,630.2 2,896.2 3,453.6 3,620.9 5,845.3 6,231.3 6,988.8 7,581.3 10,260.1
Japan 396.9 412.0 602.1 841.6 410.2 260.4 305.2 622.2 322.5 200.2
Germany 61.3 70.8 67.1 45.4 72.0 0.0 28.3 66.0 97.8 69.6
United States 36.8 12.7 23.6 30.2 42.7 22.4 34.3 49.0 60.3 40.1
United Kingdom 77.6 57.5 40.6 19.5 33.2 31.3 205.4 163.4 282.3 22.5
Singapore 38.8 194.0 344.1 140.0 398.3 997.9 251.4 214.6 245.3 198.9
Thailand* 105.8 290.0 242.2 148.8
China* 71.8 15.8 74.1 29.1
Bangladesh* 49.3 64.7 72.8 49.1
Nepal* 24.7 15.0 21.4 20.0
Others 213.6 264.7 551.5 447.6 939.9 677.6 567.6 500.7 553.8 560.1
Total 2,876.4 3,641.9 4,525.2 4,977.9 5,516.4 7,834.9 7,875.0 8,990.2 9,553.9 11,598.5
Exports
India 93.4 91.9 90.8 94.6 93.7 94.5 94.8 94.1 93.8 95.7
Bangladesh 6.1 6.0 7.4 4.2 4.4 4.2 3.6 4.5 4.0 3.6
Others 0.4 2.1 1.8 1.2 1.9 1.3 1.6 1.4 2.2 0.7
Total 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0
Imports
India 71.3 72.2 64.0 69.4 65.6 74.6 79.1 77.7 79.4 88.5
Japan 13.8 11.3 13.3 16.9 7.4 3.3 3.9 6.9 3.4 1.7
Germany 2.1 1.9 1.5 0.9 1.3 0.0 0.4 0.7 1.0 0.6
United States 1.3 0.3 0.5 0.6 0.8 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.3
United Kingdom 2.7 1.6 0.9 0.4 0.6 0.4 2.6 1.8 3.0 0.2
Singapore 1.3 5.3 7.6 2.8 7.2 12.7 3.2 2.4 2.6 1.7
Thailand* 1.3 3.2 2.5 1.3
China* 0.9 0.2 0.8 0.3
Bangladesh* 0.6 0.7 0.8 0.4
Nepal* 0.3 0.2 0.2 0.2
Others 7.4 7.3 12.2 9.0 17.0 8.6 7.2 5.6 5.8 4.8
Total 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0
TABLE 25. DIRECTION OF TRADE
Source: Revenue and Customs. *Imports from Thailand, China, Bangladesh and Nepal are now being reported seperately from 2000. In previous years, they were grouped as Others.
Share in percent
Sector Creditors USD Rupee USD Rupee USD Rupee USD Rupee USD Rupee
Concessional Loans
Agriculture 1.2 2.5 5.5 0.8 38.3
1 Small Farm Dev. Project IFAD 0.0 0.0 4.2
2 T/gang Mongar Dev. Project IFAD 0.0 0.0 3.4
3 Punakha Wangdi Valley Dev. Proj. IFAD 0.0 0.0 2.6
4 1st Eastern Zone Agricultural Proj. IFAD 0.0 0.0 3.5
5 2nd Eastern Zone Agricultural Proj. IFAD 0.6 1.4 4.6 0.8 7.4
6 Forestry I World Bank 0.0 0.0 5.3
7 Foresty II World Bank 0.0 0.0 0.8
8 Forestry III World Bank 0.5 1.1 0.9 0.0 5.2
9 Chirang Hill Irrigation Project ADB 0.0 0.0 1.1
10 Highland Lifestock Dev. Proj. ADB 0.0 0.0 4.8
Communications 2.4 3.7 5.7 7.4 32.0
11 Earth Satellite Station Mitsui and Co. Ltd. 0.0 0.0 1.7
12 Air Navigation Project (Paro) EFIC (Australia) 0.0 0.0 0.8
13 Rural Access Project World Bank 1.0 1.0 1.8 1.8 5.5
14 Urban Development Project World Bank 0.6 0.8 1.5 3.5 6.4
15 Road Works Mechanization Proj. ADB 0.0 0.0 5.0
16 East West Highway Maintenance ADB 0.0 0.0 5.2
17 Urban Infrastructures Improv. Proj. ADB 0.6 1.3 0.7 0.8 3.7
18 Road Improvement Project ADB 0.1 0.6 1.7 1.3 3.7
Education 3.6 2.9 2.3 4.3 33.2
19 Primary Education Project World Bank 0.0 0.0 4.4
20 Second Education Project World Bank 2.8 2.7 1.5 2.2 11.1
21 Technical and Voc. Edn. Train. Proj. ADB 0.8 0.0 0.0 4.5
22 Basic Skills Dev. Proj. ADB 0.2 0.8 1.3 2.3
23 Multi Project II ADB 0.0 0.0 10.1
24 Education Development Proj. World Bank 0.8 0.8
Health 4.7 5.3 0.0 10.1
25 Health Care Reform Program ADB 4.7 5.3 0.0 10.1
Financial Sector 0.4 0.7 3.5 0.0 22.8
26 Technical Assistance World Bank 0.0 0.0 3.3
27 Multi Project I ADB 0.0 0.0 4.3
28 Bhutan Dev. Finance Corporation ADB 0.0 0.0 2.4
29 Financial Sector Dev. Program ADB 1.5 0.0 4.1
30 Dev. Finance Loan Project ADB 0.3 0.7 2.0 0.0 3.9
31 Bhutan Dev. Finance Corporation KFAED 0.1 0.0 0.0 4.7
TABLE 26. CONVERTIBLE CURRENCY AND RUPEE LOAN DISBURSEMENTS (*)
2003/2004 2002/2003 Total
1
2000/2001 2001/2002
TABLE 26. CONVERTIBLE CURRENCY AND RUPEE LOAN DISBURSEMENTS (*) CONTINUED
Sector Creditors USD Rupee USD Rupee USD Rupee USD Rupee USD Rupee
Industry 0.0 0.0 31.0
32 Bhutan Calcium Carbide Ltd. World Bank 0.0 0.0 7.2
33 Industrial Estates Dev. Project ADB 0.0 0.0 0.8
34 Gedu Wood Mgf. Corporation KFAED 0.0 0.0 5.9
35 Tala Particle Board Factory Proj. KFAED 0.0 0.0 10.4
36 Bhutan Calcium Carbide Ltd. KFAED 0.0 0.0 6.7
37 Dungsam Cement Plant Govt. of India 0.0 0.0
Power 3.3 1795.4 13.4 1950.8 10.1 3203.6 13.5 3346.2 56.1 14855.7
38 Rural Electricification Project ADB 0.0 0.0 6.6
39 Sustainable Rural Elect. Proj. ADB 0.1 5.3 2.3 0.9 8.6
40 Rural Electrification & Network Exp Proj. 0.0 0.0
41 Basochhu Hydropower Project Govt. of Austria 3.2 0.4 0.0 0.9 13.7
40 Bashochhu Hydro. Lower Stage Govt. of Austria 7.7 7.9 11.7 27.2
43 Chukha Hydropower Proj. Govt. of India 0.0 0.0 983.6
44 Kurichhu Hydropower Proj. Govt. of India 768.0 204.0 162.0 0.0 2240.0
45 Tala Hydroelectric Proj. Govt. of India 1027.4 1746.8 3041.6 3346.2 11632.1
Other
46 Miscellaneous
TOTAL (Concessional) 15.6 1795.4 23.1 1950.8 32.6 3203.6 26.0 3346.2 223.5 14855.7
Commercial Loans 0.0 0.0 0.0 8.0 30.6
TOTAL (Concessional + Comm) 15.6 1795.4 23.1 1950.8 32.6 3203.6 34.0 3346.2 254.1 15724.2
Source: Department of Aid and Debt Management. (*) Totals may not add up due to rounding.
(1): Total Disbursements are cumulative from 1981/82 - 2003/04.
2003/2004 2000/2001 2001/2002 2002/2003 Total
1

USD Rupee USD Rupee USD Rupee USD Rupee
In millions of USD and Rupees Interest Interest Interest Interest Interest Interest Interest Interest
Sector Principal Principal Principal Principal Principal Principal Principal Principal
Concessional Loans
0.24 0.24 0.28 0.55
0.43 0.43 0.58 0.72
1 Small Farm Dev. Project 0.04 0.03 0.04 0.04
0.12 0.12 0.13 0.14
2 T/gang Mongar Dev. Project 0.03 0.03 0.03 0.03
0.08 0.08 0.09 0.09
3 Punakha Wangdi Valley Dev. Proj. 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.25
0.06 0.06 0.07 0.07
4 1st Eastern Zone Agricultural Proj. 0.04 0.04 0.04 0.04
0.00 0.10 0.10
5 2nd Eastern Zone Agricultural Proj. 0.00 0.01 0.03 0.05
0.00 0.00 0.00
6 Forestry I 0.04 0.04 0.04 0.04
0.05 0.05 0.06 0.06
7 Foresty II 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01
0.01 0.02 0.02 0.02
8 Forestry III 0.02 0.02 0.03 0.04
0.00 0.00 0.11
9 Chirang Hill Irrigation Project 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01
0.02 0.02 0.02 0.02
10 Highland Lifestock Dev. Proj. 0.04 0.04 0.04 0.04
0.09 0.09 0.10 0.10
0.11 0.13 0.17 0.26
0.19 0.19 0.20 0.26
11 Earth Satellite Station 0.00 0.00 0.00
0.00 0.00 0.00
12 Air Navigation Project (Paro) 0.00 0.00 0.00
0.09 0.09 0.09 0.09
13 Rural Access Project 0.00 0.01 0.02 0.06
0.00 0.00 0.00
14 Urban Development Project 0.00 0.01 0.02 0.05
0.00 0.00 0.00
15 Road Works Mechanization Proj. 0.05 0.04 0.04 0.04
0.09 0.09 0.10 0.11
16 East West Highway Maintenance 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.05
0.00 0.00 0.05
17 Urban Infrastructures Improv. Proj. 0.00 0.01 0.02 0.03
0.00 0.00 0.00
18 Road Improvement Project 0.00 0.01 0.03
0.00 0.00 0.00
0.18 0.19 0.22 0.31
0.30 0.35 0.39 0.40
19 Primary Education Project 0.03 0.03 0.03 0.03
0.08 0.08 0.09 0.09
20 Second Education Project 0.02 0.03 0.06 0.08
0.00 0.00 0.00
21 Technical and Voc. Edn. Train. Proj. 0.04 0.04 0.04 0.04
0.04 0.08 0.09 0.10
22 Basic Skills Dev. Proj. 0.00 0.00 0.02
0.00 0.00 0.00
23 Multi Project II 0.09 0.09 0.09 0.08
0.18 0.19 0.21 0.22
24 Education Development Project 0.06
0.00
0.01 0.05 0.07 0.10
0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
25 Health Care Reform Program 0.01 0.05 0.07 0.10
0.00 0.00 0.00
0.21 0.21 0.21 0.23
0.57 0.58 0.60 0.72
26 Technical Assistance 0.02 0.03 0.02 0.03
0.03 0.03 0.04 0.04
27 Multi Project I 0.04 0.03 0.04 0.03
0.09 0.09 0.10 0.21
2002/2003 2000/2001
Health
Financial Sector
TABLE 27. DEBT SERVICING - YEAR-WISE EXPENDITURE ON EXTERNAL DEBT, CONVERTIBLE CURRENCY AND
RUPEE (*)
Agriculture
Communications
Education
2001/2002 2003/2004
USD Rupee USD Rupee USD Rupee USD Rupee
In millions of USD and Rupees Interest Interest Interest Interest Interest Interest Interest Interest
Sector Principal Principal Principal Principal Principal Principal Principal Principal
28 Bhutan Dev. Finance Corporation 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.02
0.04 0.04 0.05 0.05
29 Financial Sector Dev. Program 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.04
0.00 0.00 0.00
30 Dev. Finance Loan Project 0.01 0.02 0.03 0.04
0.00 0.00 0.00
31 Bhutan Dev. Finance Corporation 0.10 0.09 0.08 0.07
0.40 0.41 0.42 0.42
0.14 0.39 0.10 0.08
1.14 1.16 1.18 0.85
32 Bhutan Calcium Carbide Ltd. 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.06
0.07 0.07 0.08 0.08
33 Industrial Estates Dev. Project 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01
0.01 0.01 0.02 0.02
34 Gedu Wood Mgf. Corporation 0.00 0.00 0.00
0.00 0.00 0.00
35 Tala Particle Board Factory Proj. 0.04 0.30 0.02 0.00
0.66 0.67 0.68 0.34
36 Bhutan Calcium Carbide Ltd. 0.04 0.03 0.02 0.01
0.40 0.40 0.41 0.41
0.06 33.69 0.11 29.60 0.52 25.16 0.90 20.78
0.00 87.55 0.00 87.55 0.00 87.55 0.00 87.55
37 Rural Electricification Project 0.06 0.07 0.06 0.07
0.00 0.00 0.00
38 Sustainable Rural Elect. Proj. 0.01 0.06 0.09
0.00 0.00
39 Rural Electrification & Network Exp Proj 0.00
0.00
40 Basochhu Hydropower Project 0.03 0.40 0.75
0.00 0.00 0.00
41 Chukha Hydropower Proj. 33.69 29.60 25.16 20.78
87.55 87.55 87.55 87.55
42 Kurichhu Hydropower Proj. 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
43 Tala Hydroelectric Proj. 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
Total ( for Concessional Loans) 0.95 33.69 1.32 29.60 1.58 25.16 2.43 20.78
2.63 87.55 2.71 87.55 2.95 87.55 2.96 87.55
Commercial Loans
0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
Total (Con. + Comm. Loans) 0.95 33.69 1.32 29.60 1.58 25.16 2.43 20.78
2.63 87.55 2.71 87.55 2.95 87.55 2.96 87.55
GRAND TOTAL (I+P) 3.58 121.24 4.03 117.15 4.53 112.71 5.39 108.33
Source: Department of Aid and Debt Management. (*) Totals may not add up due to rounding.
Commercial Loans
Industry
Power
TABLE 27. DEBT SERVICING - YEAR-WISE EXPENDITURE ON EXTERNAL DEBT, CONVERTIBLE CURRENCY AND
RUPEE, CONTINUED
2003/2004 2002/2003 2000/2001 2001/2002
Item 2000/2001 2001/2002 2002/2003 2003/2004 / 2000/2001 2001/2002 2002/2003 2003/2004
1. Government Borrowing
Concessional 4960.2 6264.1 8471.9 9445.7 106.9 129.9 176.8 208.0
a. World Bank 1282.6 1599.9 2054.6 2384.7 27.6 33.2 42.9 52.5
b. IFAD 579.5 660.0 939.0 922.8 12.5 13.7 19.6 20.3
c. ADB 2197.2 2671.3 3630.7 3743.3 47.4 55.4 75.8 82.4
d. KFAED 300.5 246.6 174.6 95.2 6.5 5.1 3.6 2.1
e. EFIC Australia 17.6 13.7 9.1 4.3 0.4 0.3 0.2 0.1
f. Govt. of Austria 582.9 1072.6 1663.8 2295.4 12.6 22.2 34.7 50.5
2. Commercial Borrowing 0.0 0.0 0.0 363.3 0.0 0.0 0.0 8.0
3. Rupee Debt 6024.4 7803.6 10963.7 14222.3 129.9 161.9 228.7 313.2
a. Chukha Hydropower Project 612.9 525.3 437.8 350.2 13.2 10.9 9.1 7.7
b. Kurichhu Hydropower Project 1874.0 1994.0 2240.0 2240.0 40.4 41.4 46.7 49.3
c. Tala Hydroelectric Project 3537.6 5284.3 8285.9 11632.1 76.3 109.6 172.9 256.1
4. Gross Total 10984.7 14067.7 19435.5 24031.3 236.8 291.8 405.5 529.2
Convertible Currency Debt 106.9 129.9 176.8 216.0
As a % of Total Debt 45.2 44.5 43.6 40.8
Rupee Debt 6024.4 7803.6 10963.7 14222.3
As a % of Total Debt 54.8 55.5 56.4 59.2
Exchange Rate
Ngultrum to 1 USD 46.4 48.2 47.9 45.4
Source: Department of Aid and Debt Management.
1. Based on the Fiscal Year period : July to June-end.
2. Outstanding Debt = (Total Disbursement - Principal Repayment).
3. Exchange rate used for conversion is based on the Fiscal Year Average.
Rupee/Ngultrum million US $ Million
TABLE 28. BHUTAN'S OUTSTANDING EXTERNAL DEBT - FISCAL YEAR POSITION
1994/95 1995/96 1996/97 1997/98 1998/99 1999/00 2000/01 2001/02 2002/03 2003/04
I. Convertible Currency Debt 80.7 80.2 84.0 90.4 98.7 98.7 106.9 129.9 176.8 216.0
I. Multilateral 72.8 74.5 80.6 85.0 88.3 88.3 94.4 107.7 142.0 157.5
Asian Development Bank 28.3 31.2 36.3 40.4 43.2 43.2 47.4 55.4 75.8 82.4
EFIC (Australia) 0.8 0.8 0.8 0.7 0.5 0.5 0.4 0.3 0.2 0.1
IFAD 9.8 10.9 11.4 12.2 12.7 12.7 12.5 13.7 19.6 20.3
KFAED 14.5 11.1 10.9 9.6 7.9 7.9 6.5 5.1 3.6 2.1
World Bank (IDA) 19.4 20.5 21.3 22.1 24.0 24.0 27.6 33.2 42.9 52.5
II. Bilateral 0.0 0.0 0.0 4.3 10.4 10.4 12.6 22.2 34.7 50.5
Government of Austria 0.0 0.0 0.0 4.3 10.4 10.4 12.6 22.2 34.7 50.5
III. Commercial Debt 7.9 5.7 3.4 1.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 8.0
West LB Ltd (Druk Air Loan) 7.9 5.7 3.4 1.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
IFC 8.0
II. Rupee Debt 1,734.8 1,256.7 1,243.8 1,715.5 2,197.9 3,276.9 6,024.4 7,803.6 10,963.7 14,222.3
Government of India 1,421.1 1,256.7 1,243.8 1,715.5 2,197.9 3,276.9 6,024.4 7,803.6 10,963.7 14,222.3
State Bank of India 313.7 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
Amex Bank 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
Convertible Currency Creditors
ADB 35.1 38.9 43.2 44.7 43.8 43.8 44.3 42.6 42.9 38.2
EFIC 1.0 1.0 0.9 0.7 0.5 0.5 0.4 0.2 0.1 0.0
Government of Austria 0.0 0.0 0.0 4.7 10.5 10.5 11.8 17.1 19.6 23.4
IFAD 12.2 13.6 13.5 13.5 12.9 12.9 11.7 10.5 11.1 9.4
KFAED 18.0 13.9 13.0 10.7 8.0 8.0 6.1 3.9 2.1 1.0
World Bank 24.0 25.6 25.3 24.4 24.3 24.3 25.9 25.5 24.3 24.3
West LB Ltd. 9.8 7.1 4.0 1.3 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
IFC 3.7
Rupee Creditors
Government of India 81.9 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0
State Bank of India 18.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
Amex Bank 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
Source: Department of Aid and Debt Management.
(In percent of Total Convertible Currency/ Rupee Outstanding Debt)
TABLE 29. EXTERNAL DEBT OUTSTANDING BY INDIVIDUAL CREDITOR CATEGORIES
(In Millions of USD and Rupees/Ngultrum)
Creditor Category
1994/95 1995/96 1996/97 1997/98 1998/99 1999/00 2000/01 2001/02 2002/03 2003/04
Interest Interest Interest Interest Interest Interest Interest Interest Interest Interest
Principal Principal Principal Principal Principal Principal Principal Principal Principal Principal
I. Multilateral 0.92 1.22 1.26 0.90 0.95 0.94 0.95 1.30 1.18 1.68
2.41 4.86 2.18 2.45 2.70 2.63 2.63 2.71 2.95 2.96
II. Bilateral 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.03 0.40 0.75
0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
III. Commercial Debt 0.72 0.55 0.38 0.21 0.04 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
2.26 2.26 2.26 2.26 1.13 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
IV. Rupee Debt 6.03 4.98 3.85 1.69 1.34 0.88 0.73 0.61 0.52 0.46
0.45 11.24 0.39 2.46 7.93 2.01 1.89 1.82 1.83 1.93
7.66 6.75 5.49 2.80 2.34 1.82 1.68 1.94 2.10 2.89
5.12 18.36 4.83 7.16 11.76 4.64 4.51 4.52 4.78 4.88
Total Debt Service 12.79 25.11 10.32 9.96 14.09 6.46 6.19 6.46 6.88 7.77
Debt Service Ratio* 14.2 22.7 8.9 8.0 12.1 4.9 4.7 4.9 5.0 4.1
Debt Service/Current Receipts** 14.2 20.8 8.5 6.8 10.2 4.2 4.1 4.2 4.3 3.7
Interest Payments/Current Receipts 8.5 5.6 4.5 1.9 1.7 1.2 1.3 1.3 1.3 1.4
Debt Service/Gross Reserves 10.6 17.3 5.9 4.6 5.5 2.2 2.1 2.0 1.8 2.0
Source: Department of Aid and Debt Management.
*: Debt service payments as a percentage of total exports of goods and services.
**: Current Receipts include receipts from trade,services, income and transfers excluding official and private transfers.
Inconsistencies may occur due to rounding.
TABLE 30. BHUTAN'S DEBT SERVICE PAYMENTS BY CREDITOR CATEGORY
Total
Creditor Category
(Ratios)
(In Millions of USD)
TABLE 31. FOREIGN DEBT INDICATORS FOR CONVERTIBLE CURRENCY LOANS
Millions of US Dollars
Period
Items 1994/95 1995/96 1996/97 1997/98 1998/99 1999/00 2000/01 2001/02 2002/03 2003/04 (p)
Debt Outstanding 80.7 80.2 84.0 90.4 98.7 98.7 106.9 129.9 176.8 216.0
Debt Service Payments 6.3 8.9 6.1 5.8 4.8 3.6 3.6 4.0 4.5 5.4
Principal 4.7 7.1 4.4 4.7 3.8 2.6 2.6 2.7 2.9 3.0
Interest 1.6 1.8 1.6 1.1 1.0 0.9 1.0 1.3 1.6 2.4
Debt Service Ratio (%) 35.6 55.6 32.7 38.4 26.1 17.8 15.7 18.7 23.9 23.5
Debt Outstanding/GDP (%) 31.1 28.6 26.3 24.8 26.1 23.2 23.3 25.8 30.5 30.8
Source: Department of Aid and Debt Management.
10.6
12.9 11.5 12.5
4.2 6.1 8.3
15.6 23.8 31.1 20.8 13.1
Principal Repayments/
Convertible Currency Exports of
Goods and Services. 26.3 44.6
8.8 7.3 5.4 4.7
Interest Payments/Convertible
Currency Exports of Goods and
Services. 9.2 11.1
TABLE 32. RUPEE DEBT INDICATORS
Millions of Indian Rupees
Period
Items 1994/95 1995/96 1996/97 1997/98 1998/99 1999/00 2000/01 2001/02 2002/03 2003/04(p)
Debt Outstanding 1,734.8 1,256.7 1,243.8 1,715.5 2,197.9 3,276.9 6,024.4 7,803.6 10,963.7 14,222.3
Chukha Hydel Project 1,171.1 1,078.6 993.8 875.5 788.0 700.4 612.9 525.3 437.8 350.2
Dungsam Cement Project 0.0
Amex Bank
Citibank
GOI Credit Line 250.0 178.2 250.0 250.0
SBI Overdraft 313.7
Tala Hydroelectric Project 240.0 877.7 1,470.5 3,537.6 5,284.3 8,285.9 11,632.1
Kurichhu Hydropower Project 350.0 532.2 1,106.0 1,874.0 1,994.0 2,240.0 2,240.0
Debt Service Payments 203.5 556.4 151.4 159.1 394.8 125.8 121.2 117.1 112.7 108.3
Principal 14.3 385.5 13.9 94.3 337.6 87.6 87.6 87.6 87.6 87.6
Interest 189.3 170.9 137.5 64.9 57.3 38.3 33.7 29.6 25.2 20.8
Debt Service Ratio (%) 8.9 17.2 4.4 3.7 8.9 2.6 2.4 2.2 2.0 1.4
Interest Payments/Export of 8.3 5.3 4.0 1.5 1.3 0.8 0.7 0.6 0.4 0.3
Goods & Services
Principal Repayments/Exports 0.6 11.9 0.4 2.2 7.6 1.8 1.8 1.6 1.5 1.2
of Goods & Services
Debt Outstanding/GDP (%) 21.3 13.1 10.9 12.3 13.7 17.7 28.2 32.1 39.5 44.6
Source: Department of Aid and Debt Management.
Company*/ Paid Up No.of Market Profits Reserves Book Earnings PE Dividend Dividend Return
year of Year Capital shareholders Capitalization Nu. in Nu. in Value Per Share Ratio (%) Yield on Capital
Listing Nu.in Mill High Low Nu.in Mill. Mill. Mill. Nu. Nu. (%) (ROC)
BCCL 2000 100.0 266 4,001 4,001 400.1 43.4 283.7 3,836.5 433.6 9.2 - - 0.1
1993 2001 100.0 266 5,000 4,000 500.0 101.5 284.4 3,844.0 1,015.3 4.9 100.0 2.6 0.3
2002 100.0 267 5,000 4,000 500.0 72.1 325.5 4,254.3 720.8 6.9 30.0 0.7 0.2
2003 100.0 267 5,200 5,000 500.0 79.8 374.5 4,745.0 797.8 6.3 30.0 0.7 0.2
RICB 2000 48.0 2543 4,702 2,350 196.8 21.9 69.6 2,449.0 455.2 9.0 15.0 0.6 0.2
1993 2001 48.0 2056 4,100 4,099 196.8 34.8 103.9 3,165.0 724.1 5.7 20.0 0.6 0.2
2002 48.0 1871 4,205 4,100 201.8 41.7 145.6 4,033.5 868.5 4.8 - - 0.2
2003 1715 4,205 1,000 336.0 - - - - - - - -
PCAL 2000 226.7 1,630 4,500 3,000 906.7 170.5 317.6 2,400.9 752.1 6.0 50.0 2.1 0.3
1993 2001 226.7 1,616 4,500 4,000 906.7 183.8 388.0 2,711.6 810.7 4.9 50.0 1.8 0.3
2002 226.7 1,620 4,600 4,000 1,042.7 200.4 418.4 2,845.7 884.1 5.2 75.0 1.6 0.3
2003 226.7 1,520 5,300 4,400 1,178.7 191.2 496.2 3,189.0 843.4 6.2 50.0 1.6 0.3
BFAL 2000 150.0 42 135 135 202.5 0.7 293.8 295.8 0.4 306.8 - - -
1995 2001 150.0 37 140 140 210.0 46.8 110.4 173.6 31.2 4.8 10.0 5.8 0.8
2002 150.0 37 140 140 210.0 90.7 195.0 230.0 60.0 2.3 - - 0.3
2003 150.0 40 140 140 210.0 90.7 239.1 259.4 60.5 2.3 35.0 13.5 0.2
BBPL 2000 140.0 489 103 103 144.2 (9.4) 2.7 101.9 (6.7) (15.4) - - (0.1)
1993 2001 140.0 489 103 103 144.2 4.6 7.3 105.2 3.3 31.0 - - 0.03
2002 140.0 489 89 89 124.6 4.0 11.3 108.1 2.8 31.6 - - 0.02
2003 140.0 489 89 89 124.6 9.3 6.6 104.7 6.7 13.4 10.0 9.6 0.06
BTCL 2000 20.9 89 1,050 1,050 22.0 4.9 16.9 1,806.1 233.0 4.6 - - 0.1
1994 2001 20.9 89 1,050 1,050 22.0 2.8 15.5 1,740.4 132.5 7.9 - - 0.1
2002 20.9 83 2,000 1,500 31.4 4.7 18.6 1,886.1 224.0 6.7 20.0 1.1 0.1
2003 20.9 83 1,500 1,000 20.9 4.5 18.6 1,889.8 216.9 4.6 0.1
BDL 2000 5.0 96 100 100 5.0 (0.2) - 100.0 (4.4) (22.8) - - (0.0)
1994 2001 2.5 96 100 100 2.5 0.8 - 100.0 33.2 3.0 - - 0.3
2002 2.5 96 100 100 2.5 - - - -
2003 96 100 100 2.5 - - -
DPCL 2000 6.2 80 100 100 3.8 (0.3) - 100.0 (5.5) (18.3) - - 0.1
1995 2001 6.2 80 100 100 4.3 (0.1) - 100.0 (2.1) (47.2) (0.0)
2002 6.2 80 100 100 6.2 - - - - - - - -
2003 79 100 100 6.2 - - - - - - - -
TABLE 33. THE ROYAL SECURITIES EXCHANGE OF BHUTAN, INFORMATION ON LISTED COMPANIES
Market
Price (Nu)
Company*/ Paid Up No.of Market Profits Reserves Book Earnings PE Dividend Dividend Return
year of Year Capital shareholders Capitalization Nu. in Nu. in Value Per Share Ratio (%) Yield on Capital
Listing Nu.in Mill High Low Nu.in Mill. Mill. Mill. Nu. Nu. (%) (ROC)
DSML 2000 3.8 64 100 100 3.8 (0.7) - 100.0 (19.7) (5.1) - - (0.2)
1995 2001 3.8 64 100 100 3.8 (0.5) - 100.0 (13.6) (7.3) - - (0.1)
2002 3.8 64 100 100 3.8 - - - - - - - -
2003 3.8 64 100 100 3.8 2.2 100.0 57.9 1.7 0.6
BNB 2000 59.5 407 700 450 416.5 102.9 195.4 428.5 173.0 4.1 50.0 11.7 0.4
1996 2001 59.5 405 1,500 439 862.8 78.1 243.8 509.7 131.3 11.1 50.0 9.8 0.3
2002 59.5 409 2,000 1,100 1,190.0 40.1 269.0 552.1 67.4 29.7 25.0 4.5 0.1
2003 119.0 5451 2,000 550 654.5 56.9 549.0 561.3 47.8 11.5 30.0 5.3 0.1
BPCL 2000 24.9 78 100 100 24.9 8.1 8.8 135.4 32.6 0.6 35.0 25.9 0.3
1997 2001 24.9 78 100 100 24.9 6.6 10.4 141.8 26.4 3.8 20.0 14.1 0.2
2002 24.9 95 300 205 62.3 9.6 12.5 150.2 38.4 6.5 30.0 20.0 0.3
2003 24.9 104 300 250 62.3 10.4 15.5 162.0 41.8 6.0 30.0 18.5 0.3
STCB 2000 20.0 133 130 130 26.0 29.8 37.0 284.9 148.8 0.9 40.0 14.0 0.5
1997 2001 20.0 133 130 130 26.0 8.6 40.5 302.7 42.7 3.0 25.0 8.3 0.1
2002 20.0 127 130 130 26.0 4.4 41.0 304.8 22.2 5.9 20.0 6.6 0.1
2003 20.0 127 130 130 26.0 10.8 45.8 328.8 54.0 2.4 30.0 9.1 0.2
DSCL 2000 10.1 1201 100 100 10.1 17.4 25.2 265.8 171.8 0.6 50.0 18.8 0.5
1998 2001 30.4 1201 100 100 30.4 17.0 11.5 136.2 56.0 1.8 15.0 11.0 0.4
2002 30.4 1200 100 100 30.4 21.2 32.7 207.6 69.7 1.4 - - 0.3
2003 30.4 1186 100 100 30.4 29.9 55.4 282.2 98.3 1.0 0.4
DPOP 2001 10.0 203 100 100 10.0 - - - - - - - -
2002 203 100 100 10.0 - - - -
2003 203 100 100 10.0 (0.6) - - (2.9) (34.1) - - (0.0)
BBCL 2003 115.0 4443 350 100 368.0 (17.4) 100.0 (15.1) (21.2) - - (0.2)
Total Market Capitalization : 3,534.0
Source: Royal Securities Exchange of Bhutan
Formula used :-
(*) BCCL - Bhutan Carbide and Chemicals Ltd.; RICB-Royal Insurance Corporation of Bhutan; PCAL-Penden Cement Authority Ltd.; BFAL-Bhutan Ferro Alloys Ltd.; BBPL-Bhutan Board
Products Ltd.; BTCL-Bhutan Tourism Corporation Ltd.; BDL-Bhutan Dairy Ltd.; DPCL-Druk Petroleum Corporation Ltd.; DSML-Druk Stones and Mining Ltd.; BNB-Bhutan National Bank;
BPCL-Bhutan Polythene Company Ltd.; STCB-State Trading Corporation of Bhutan; DSCL-Druk Satair Corporation Ltd. DPOP-Druk Plaster of Paris; BBCL-Bhutan Beverages Company
Ltd.
TABLE 33. THE ROYAL SECURITIES EXCHANGE OF BHUTAN, INFORMATION ON LISTED COMPANIES, CONTINUED.
Market
Price (Nu)
1- Book Value = Capital + Reserves/ No. of Shares. 2-EPS = Net Profit/ No. of Shares. 3-PE = Market Price/ EPS. 4-Return on Capital = Net Income/ (Equity + Reserves). 5-Dividend Yield
= Dividend X 100/ Book Value Per Share.
Period Average
Year
Period 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004
Jan 42.51 43.55 46.54 48.34 47.93 45.46
Feb 42.46 43.61 46.52 48.69 47.74 45.27
Mar 42.44 43.59 46.62 48.74 47.65 45.02
Apr 42.73 43.64 46.79 48.92 47.38 43.93
May 42.77 43.97 46.92 49.00 47.08 45.25
June 43.14 44.69 47.01 48.96 46.72 45.51
July 43.29 44.78 47.14 48.76 46.23
Aug 43.46 45.69 47.13 48.59 45.93
Sept 43.54 45.89 47.65 48.44 45.85
Oct 43.45 46.35 48.02 48.37 45.39
Nov 43.40 46.78 48.00 48.38 45.52
Dec 43.49 46.75 47.92 48.14 45.59
Calendar year
average 43.06 44.94 47.19 48.61 46.58
1998/99 1999/00 2000/01 2001/02 2002/03 2003/04
Fiscal year
average (+) 42.59 43.64 46.39 48.21 47.93 45.41
Source : International Financial Statistics, IMF.
TABLE 34. EXCHANGE RATE, NGULTRUM/US DOLLAR
Period Average
Year
Period 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004
Jan 129.45 113.18 105.16 117.10 132.66 118.65 106.51
Feb 126.00 116.66 109.31 116.04 133.52 119.27 106.55
Mar 128.69 119.78 106.71 121.12 131.20 118.54 108.62
Apr 131.67 119.81 105.48 123.83 131.07 119.79 107.25
May 135.00 122.11 108.11 121.93 126.48 117.26 112.35
June 140.57 120.90 106.23 122.15 123.60 118.26 109.47
July 140.73 119.86 107.90 124.65 118.07 118.69
Aug 144.65 113.40 108.07 121.61 119.01 118.83
Sept 134.59 107.57 106.75 118.98 120.37 115.19
Oct 121.30 105.97 108.36 121.28 123.86 109.58
Nov 120.58 104.60 108.89 122.31 122.55 109.20
Dec 117.62 102.68 112.21 127.36 122.27 107.94
Calendar
year
average 130.90 113.88 107.77 121.53 125.39 115.93
1997/98 1998/99 1999/00 2000/01 2001/02 2002/03 2003/04
126.74 124.33 107.92 114.53 126.23 119.83 114.74
Source : International Financial Statistics, IMF.
Additional Source: Bank of Japan Website.
Fiscal year
average (+)
TABLE 35. EXCHANGE RATE, JAPANESE YEN / US DOLLAR
Period Average
Year
Period 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004
January 0.9867 1.0659 1.1324 0.9417 0.7928
February 1.0170 1.0851 1.1494 0.9283 0.7908
March 1.0370 1.0999 1.1419 0.9256 0.8156
April 1.0654 1.1214 1.1290 0.9220 0.8344
May 1.1040 1.1442 1.0906 0.8645 0.8328
June 1.0537 1.1722 1.0470 0.8575 0.8239
July 1.0644 1.1622 1.0080 0.8794
August 1.1062 1.1108 1.0227 0.8980
September 1.1469 1.0978 1.0196 0.8915
October 1.1698 1.1041 1.0196 0.8553
November 1.1678 1.1259 1.0082 0.8548
December 1.1149 1.1207 0.9823 0.8139
Calendar year average 1.0862 1.1175 1.0626 0.8860

1999/00 2000/01 2001/02 2002/03 2003/04
Fiscal year average (+) 1.0013 1.1216 1.1176 0.9583 0.8403

Source : IFS, IMF.
Additional Source: European Central Bank Website.
TABLE 36. EXCHANGE RATE, EURO/US DOLLAR

















_____________________________________________________________________



III. ANNEXURES


_____________________________________________________________________








ANNEX I



THE ROYAL MONETARY AUTHORITY OF BHUTAN:

Functions, Restructuring, Future Plans, and Projects in the Pipeline

Functions

In accordance with the RMA Act, 1982, the RMAs core functions, i.e., the central
function and the subsidiary functions, can be summarized as follows:

a) Achievement and Maintenance of Price Stability in the Medium and Longer
Term is the Central Function

In view of the close economic and financial ties between Bhutan and India, an
Exchange Rate Target was chosen, i.e., the one-to-one peg between the BTN
and the INR. Monetary policy, which is aimed at achieving price stability, is
confined to the support of the peg, which involves making available sufficient
INR on demand, the provision of at least 100 percent reserve backing for all
BTN issued, the avoidance of a large BTN liquidity build-up, together with
additional confidence-building measures for the BTN, implying, for example,
credible RMA and government policies. Please see Section 2.2 for a more
detailed description of the RMAs monetary policy framework and the end of
this annex for a schematic overview. All the other subsidiary functions, which
are also very important, and which complement the central function, are
outlined below [b) through h)].

b) The Bank of Issue

The RMA has the sole right to issue notes and coins for the purpose of directly
influencing the amount of currency in circulation outside banks, thereby
providing the economy with sufficient, but if possible, non-inflationary
liquidity.

c) The Bankers Bank

This function includes the acceptance of deposits as prudential reserves for
banks (e.g., minimum reserves), the willingness to discount commercial and
government paper, and the commitment to act as lender of last resort to
banks in the case of short-term liquidity shortages. It also involves the
provision of central clearance facilities for inter-bank transactions.

d) The Governments Bank

The RMA is the banker and the fiscal agent for the government, and may be
the depository of the government. The central bank may make temporary
advances to the government.



ANNEX I



e) The Advisor to the Government

The RMA may advise the government on any matter relating to its functions,
powers, and duties. The RMA may also be requested to advise the government
on any matter related to its functions, powers, and duties, the credit conditions
in the country, or any proposal, measures, and transactions relating thereto.

f) The Guardian of the Countrys External Reserves

The RMA is the depository of the official external assets of the country,
including gold and foreign currency reserves. Guarding international reserves
usually implies also the responsibility for the exchange rate policy (in Bhutan
the external value of the BTN is declared by the government on
recommendation of the RMAs Board, while the RMA has to implement and
support it), reserve management (with a view to the prudential management of
the funds, with due regard to liquidity, safety, and profitability, in that order),
and external debt management on behalf of the Ministry of Finance. In
Bhutan, as in various other developing countries (e.g., in India), reserve
management also includes the formulation, implementation, monitoring, and
enforcement of foreign exchange regulations.

g) Supervision of Banks and Other Financial Institutions

In general, this activity, which in quite a few countries is carried out by a
separate institution, involves insuring that deposit money banks and other
financial institutions conduct their business on a sound prudential basis and
according to the various laws and regulations in force. It also includes the
licensing of financial institutions.

In the Small Economy Case and/or countries at a relatively early stage of
economic and institutional development, (e.g., in Bhutan and on the Maldives)
there is a very good case for making the central bank also responsible for
financial institutions supervision (including all financial institutions) on
account of economies of scale and the central banks financial sector expertise.
In larger developing countries, one might think at a later stage of development
of creating a separate institution for financial institutions supervision, or even
several separate institutions.

h) Promotion of Financial Sector Development

This refers to the establishment of an effective financial system, with the aid
of which financial transactions necessary for the smooth functioning of the
economy can be carried out with a minimum amount of cost and time
involved. In this connection, the RMA has to be a facilitator of advanced
clearing and transfer systems. It also implies that the necessary banking
services, as, for example, deposit facilities and loan facilities, are made
available. Of importance is also the establishment of a deposit insurance
system and the availability of certain specialised institutions, which could be
represented, for example, by an industrial development bank, an agricultural
ANNEX I



development bank, and micro-finance institutions, and the facilitation of a
money market, primary and secondary markets for securities, a foreign
exchange market, and a capital market. In other words, the RMA should be
heavily involved in financial sector development, which already is the case.
Restructuring

On June 21, 2004, the RMAs Managing Director, MD, issued an office order, in
which a new organization structure for the RMA was outlined, commensurate with
the requirements of an effective central bank. The new structure has become
operational on July 1, 2004. As highlighted in the office order, the underlying
rationale for the change is to strengthen the organization structure of the RMA,
thereby enhancing the capacity of the Executive Management Team and the RMAs
overall effectiveness in central banking, which, in turn, would be for the benefit of the
financial sector and, subsequently, the whole country. The restructuring has to be
considered a Very Substantial Move Forward in the enhancement of Bhutans
central banking capability. Of particular importance is the creation of the positions of
Deputy Managing Director I, DMD I, who is responsible for the Operations
Department, and Deputy Managing Director II, DMD II, who is responsible for the
Policy and Programs Department.

All the functions are carried out under the general supervision of the Board of
Directors by the RMAs Executive Management Team, i.e., the MD, DMD I, and
DMD II, with the close support of its eleven divisions, which also have been
restructured to some degree. Human Resource Development and Internal Audit are
directly under the MD, while DMD I, as Head of the Operations Department, is
responsible for Banking, Hospitality and Protocol, Issue, and Personnel and Finance,
and DMD II, as Head of the Policy and Programs Department, oversees Financial
Institutions Supervision, Foreign Exchange and Reserve Management, Information
Technology, Library, and Research and Statistics. DMD I and DMD II are Observers
in the Board of Directors. For a comprehensive overview of the organization
structure, please see the new RMA Organization Chart (on page 4), which became
effective as of July 1, 2004.

The basic responsibilities of the eleven Divisions can be summarised, in a nutshell, as
follows:

a) Divisions Directly Under the MD

* The Human Resource Development (HRD) Division is mainly
responsible for bridging present and future human resource gaps by
matching RMA officials with training opportunities, which it explores,
in Bhutan and abroad, and developing a Human Resource Master Plan.
The Institute for Financial Sector Development (IFSD) is managed by
the HRD Division.



ANNEX I



* The Internal Audit Division is responsible for examining the risks that
the RMA faces, reviewing the adequacy of the controls in place to
protect it from those risks, and verifying that the controls are working
as intended.

b) Divisions Under DMD I, Operations Department

* The Banking Division maintains the Government accounts, the
financial institutions accounts, the foreign exchange accounts, and the
central accounts, and is responsible for transactions pertaining to the
Clearing House.

* The Hospitality and Protocol Division is responsible for the
organization of protocol activities, the maintenance of the office
building and the premises, the management of the pool vehicles, the
management and supervision of security, and the maintenance of
Driglam Namzha.

* The work of the Issue Division involves the printing of notes and
minting of coins, the supply of notes and coins to banks (currency
chest) and the public (RMA counters), and dealing with any matters
related to Counterfeit Notes. Furthermore, soiled notes are sorted
into re-issuable and non-re-issuable notes, while non-re-issuable notes
are destroyed.

* The Personnel and Finance Division is generally responsible for
administrative matters, including, for example, work related to
inventory and stores, recruitment, the maintenance of personnel
records, leave management, and the maintenance of the administrative
accounts.

c) Divisions Under DMD II, Policy and Programs Department

* The Financial Institutions Supervision Division supervises regularly all
financial institutions by means of on-site and off-site inspections on the
basis of internationally accepted financial sector practices, licenses
new institutions, issues and monitors regulations, and monitors money
laundering.

* The Foreign Exchange and Reserve Management Division drafts,
implements, monitors, and enforces Foreign Exchange Regulations,
releases foreign exchange, provides information on exchange rates, and
manages Bhutans convertible currency and Rupee reserves (the latter
are in the process of being taken over from the two commercial banks)
with regard to liquidity, safety, and profitability, in that order.



ANNEX I



* The Information Technology (IT) Division is involved in all aspects of
developing and maintaining the RMAs IT system, e.g., IT planning
and monitoring, hardware management and support, and applications
systems and database development, management, and support.

* The Library Division provides all the necessary library services, as, for
example, cataloguing of the Librarys books and periodicals,
registration of books and periodicals lent out, ordering of books and
periodicals, and development and instalment of a computerized
cataloguing system.

* The Research and Statistics Division is responsible for Research and
Statistics, the production and timely finalisation of the Annual Report,
Selected Economic Indicators, and the Monthly Statistical Bulletin,
advice to the management and government, and the provision of
statistical and economic information to management, the government,
and the public.

As of December 2004, the total staff strength of the RMA stood at 131 (of which 46
are officer level and above), including an Advisor from the Bundesbank.

Future Plans and Projects in the Pipeline

Concerning the future role of the RMA, it is worth mentioning that the RMA was
established as a transitional central banking institution, which over time was
expected to develop into a full-fledged central bank. After more than 20 years of
central banking development, during which the RMAs central banking capacity was
gradually built up and the capability of the financial sector was substantially
strengthened, the RMA appears to be ready now for take-off as a full-fledged central
bank. In support of the RMA becoming a full-fledged and most effective central
bank, the following important steps appear to be necessary in the near future, or are
already in the process of preparation and/or implementation:

a) Revision of Legislation and Regulations. Revision of the RMA Act, which
was quite appropriate at its inception, but is now outdated due to new
developments and findings in Central Banking all over the world and financial
sector developments in Bhutan. For example, improvements appear to be
necessary in the following areas, within the framework of International Best
Practices: increased RMA independence (e.g., in financial institutions
supervision), better timing and increased frequency of Board Meetings,
streamlining of top management procedures, enhancement of the status of the
RMA, clear specification of the Primary Objective, and clear outline of the
general monetary policy framework. For revising the RMA Act, technical
assistance has already been received from the Bundesbank, the Asian
Development Bank, and the International Monetary Fund. In connection with
the revision of the RMA Act, there also will be a need to introduce a revised
Financial Services Act and revised Foreign Exchange Regulations, both of
which have already been drafted, in a co-ordinated manner. A final review of
ANNEX I



all three documents will be carried out by the Legal Department of the
International Monetary Fund prior to their submission to the Bhutanese
authorities for further processing and subsequent approval during 2005.

b) Further Development of the RMAs Monetary Policy Framework and the
strengthening of the monetary policy tools (at present basically applicable to
the support of the one-to-one peg between the BTN and the INR).

c) Further streamlining of the Organisation Structure and Management
Procedures, e.g., creation of a Legal Division and a Secretariat in support of
top management and the Board, while introducing promotion by merit,
functional job descriptions for all organisation units and staff members (in the
process of implementation), and clear lines of responsibility.

d) Further Strengthening of the RMAs Management and Staff Capability
through capacity building, e.g., provision of training for management, further
development of the capability for the Financial Institutions Supervision
Division to supervise all of Bhutans financial institutions, and enhancement
of the capability of the Internal Audit Division to better enable it to audit the
RMA. A considerable effort is required for strengthening Internal Audit, part
of which implies the drafting of an Internal Audit Charter, an Internal Audit
Leaflet, and an Internal Audit Manual, which was already accomplished
during the second half of 2004. To become binding, the Internal Audit Charter
has to be submitted to the RMAs Board for approval, making it possible,
thereafter, to finalize the Internal Audit Leaflet and the Internal Audit Manual.
Furthermore, following International Best Practices, an Internal Audit
Committee needs to be established within the RMAs Board to oversee the
activities of the Internal Audit Division. This requires approval by the RMAs
Board and the National Assembly within the framework of the revised RMA
Act.

e) Further Improvement of the Computer System. Acquisition of more
computers, provision of more computer training, and streamlining of the Local
Area Network (LAN) and the web-site. Development of an overall
Information Technology Plan, together with a Data-flow System.
Establishment of a computerised Time Series Database for economic time
series. Efforts in this regard are undertaken with the development of the
Integrated Central Banking System (ICBS), the purpose of which is the
computerisation of all the RMAs operations in an integrated manner. Global
tendering for the project has already been carried out towards the end of 2004.
The project is scheduled to start in the beginning of 2005 and due to its
magnitude is expected to take several years to complete.

f) Further Enhancement of Financial Sector Development, e.g., improvement of
payment systems, increased competition, improvement of the professional
expertise of the staff and management of financial institutions, and further
strengthening of financial markets. In that connection, it has to be mentioned
that the RMA has plans to establish clearing houses in Paro and Mongar
during the first quarter of 2005 for the improvement of the efficiency of
ANNEX I



payments and settlements, since both the BNB and the BOB have a branch in
each town.

g) External Communications. The RMA already actively uses various
communication channels (e.g., publications, information materials, the
website, conferences, meetings, television, and the Kuensel) to inform the
general public and the government what it is doing and why for the purpose of
enhancing its accountability and to further improve its corporate image.
Further communication channels are under consideration, as, for example,
Working Papers, the General Data Dissemination System of the IMF, and
Press Releases.

h) The following additional Projects, which are of importance for the further
enhancement of the RMAs Central Banking Capability, are in the pipeline:

* Credit Information Bureau

A Task Force has been set up during the second half of 2004 with
members from the RMA, and the five financial institutions (BNB,
BOB, BDFC, RICB, and NPPF). The Task Force went already on a
study tour to India, Sri Lanka, and Thailand and will come up with a
proposal for the legal and operational aspects of the CIB. Furthermore,
the Task Force will prepare a preliminary study on, and will make a
proposal for, the CIB software.

* Printing of New Ngultrum Notes

Efforts have been under way for some time already to have new
Ngultrum notes (BTN 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, and 500) printed with a new
design and considerably improved security features, the latter of which
are very important for reducing the danger of counterfeiting. The
tendering process for the printing of the new notes will start in the
beginning of 2005, with the delivery of the notes to be expected about
one year later. In that connection, it has to be mentioned that the
planning process for always having available a sufficient amount of
Ngultrum notes for issue is constantly being refined.

* Reserve Management

During the second half of 2004, the RMA has accepted an offer of the
RBI to provide technical assistance for further developing its foreign
exchange reserve function. An RBI expert already visited the RMA
during December 2004 for an assessment of the systems employed by
the RMA. Recommendations for the upgrading of the systems have
already been made, while a time-bound action plan, together with the
training needs for RMA staff, has been proposed. The
recommendations and proposals made are under review.


ANNEX I



* SWIFT

The RMA is in the process of moving to SWIFT, since TELEX, which
is still in use by the RMA, is increasingly becoming outdated, and
almost all the banks in the world have moved to SWIFT to facilitate
money transactions. It is expected that the system will become
operational during the first quarter of 2005.










































ANNEX I





THE RMAS MONETARY POLICY FRAMEWORK
A SCHEMATIC PRESENTATION

















PRICE STABILITY TARGET
ACTUAL INFLATION
BHUTAN
EXCHANGE RATE TARGETING: *)
INTERMEDIATE TARGET
ONE-TO-ONE PEG
BETWEEN THE BTN AND THE INR
BHUTAN
MONETARY POLICY IMPLI CATIONS
FOR THE RMA

Targeting the exchange rate implies the
acceptance of Indias monetary policy. In other
words, an independent monetary policy in
Bhutan is precluded, more or less.

Monetary policy is confined to the support of
the peg, including the following basic
measures:
Making available sufficient INR on
demand to avoid the emergence of a
parallel market. 1)
Provision of at least 100% Reserve
backing for all BTN issued as a
confidence-building measure. 1)
Sterilization of a part of the BTN
liquidity in the banking system to avoid
a possible build-up of inflationary
pressures.
Credible policies of the RMA and the
government for the enhancement of the
publics confidence in the BTN.
SUPPORTING FACTORS


Very close economic and financial
relationships between India and
Bhutan.

Dual currency system, with the BTN
and the INR circulating freely side by
side in Bhutan. The system can be
described as an informal Monetary
(Currency) Union with India.

Inflation and interest rates in the two
countries are closely related.

The arrangement maintains confidence
and ties Bhutan to the relatively stable
monetary conditions in India.

The peg has clear benefits for trade
with India, since there is no uncertainty
about exchange rate developments
between the two trading partners.
PRICE STABILITY TARGET
ACTUAL INFLATION
INDIA
*) By default, the only realistic Targeting Method.- 1) Elements of a Currency
Board.
ANNEX II



CHRONOLOGY OF IMPORTANT FINANCIAL SECTOR DEVELOPMENTS


In August 1982, the RMA Act was passed by the National Assembly during its
fifty-sixth session. With effect from November 1983, the RMA started its
actual operations.

In 1983, the RMA took over the issue of the national currency, the
management of external reserves, and foreign exchange operations.

In 1984, the cash reserve ratio was introduced for the purpose of liquidity
control and for prudential purposes.

In March 1988, the RMA took over the additional function of Banker to the
Government, by holding the bulk of government deposits, and to provide
means for financing the Government, whenever necessary.

In November 1992, the Financial Institutions Act was passed by the National
Assembly to provide the RMA with the legal framework to issue licenses for
financial institutions and to regulate, supervise, and inspect their operations.

The RMA organized the establishment of the Royal Securities Exchange of
Bhutan (RSEB) in 1993 to begin a small capital market for the purpose of
facilitating public participation in the holding of securities of public and
private companies.

In 1993, RMA discount bills were introduced as an instrument of central bank
policy.

For the purpose of further improving the RMAs liquidity management, the
RMA introduced the reserve repurchase in September 1996 as its second debt
instrument. The repurchase was rolled over until January 2002, when it was
discontinued.

To enhance competition in the banking sector, the Unit Trust of Bhutan (UTB)
was converted into a full-fledged commercial bank, called Bhutan National
Bank (BNB) in January 1997.

Until 1997, interest rates on both deposits and advances were directly
administered by the RMA, thereby providing insufficient flexibility to
financial institutions for setting their rates on the basis of the actual cost of
funds. Since this arrangement was not conducive to the long-term growth of
the financial sector and the economy, the RMA liberalized interest rates with
effect from October 1997, allowing each institution to determine the rates on
the basis of the prevailing market conditions.




ANNEX II



In line with the governments programme of liberalizing trade and industrial
policies, the RMA Board approved the new Foreign Exchange Regulations
1997, removing various restrictions on foreign exchange transactions. The aim
is to eventually move towards current account convertibility.

Check clearing facilities were established in the country (the first in Thimphu
in 1997 and the second in Phuentsholing in 1999), in order to provide an
efficient system through which the countrys commercial banks could settle
their claims against each other for checks and other negotiable demand items.
The facilities are also envisaged to enhance the payments and settlement
system through the use of negotiable instruments.

As part of the financial sector reform programme, the Government Employees
Provident Fund (GEPF) was transferred in 2000 from the Royal Insurance
Corporation of Bhutan (now RICBL) to the newly created National Pension
and Provident Fund (NPPF).

One of the causes for sluggish credit activity in the country has been the
inadequate legal framework for loan recovery and the high collateral
requirements. For the purpose of dealing effectively with that problem, the
government passed in 1999 the Moveable and Immovable Property Act and
the Bankruptcy Act. Furthermore, in order to provide legal support for the
check clearing houses and the use of negotiable instruments in the payments
and settlement system, the Negotiable Instruments Act was passed in the 78
th

session of the National Assembly in July 2000. Nevertheless, more important
legislation needs to be drafted and passed in the financial sector. In that
regard, an insurance and a securities law are very urgent, with efforts being
made towards the drafting of such legislation, and it is also necessary to draw
up legislation for the NPPF.

The Financial Sector Review, funded by the ADB, was concluded in March
2002, identifying weaknesses and formulating a medium-term strategy for
financial sector development in Bhutan.

As a result of the Financial Sector Review, the RMA launched a
comprehensive IT Strategy to strengthen its institutional capacity and to
develop an integrated operations and information system. The RMA website
was recently made available.

Several training courses were conducted in 2002 and 2004 by the RMA for the
financial institutions (FIs) on Project Appraisal and Portfolio Management on
the way towards establishing an Institute for Financial Sector Development
(IFSD) in the RMA.

In 2002, the RMA made arrangements with the Reserve Bank of India (RBI)
to participate in the auctions of Government of India Securities to invest
Indian Rupee reserves.


ANNEX II



Following a resolution adopted by the RMA's Board of Directors during its
32
nd
meeting, a Monetary Operations Committee (MOC) was established in
June 2002. On behalf of the Board, the MOC will basically be responsible for
the formulation and implementation of policy instruments, the achievement
and maintenance of sound conditions in the financial sector, and the
management of the country's reserves.

During the first half of 2003 an ADB project was initiated, which was
designed to help strengthen the capacity of the Royal Monetary Authority and
the Royal Securities Exchange of Bhutan. The project was concluded in
October 2003.

After a long gap, the Annual Meeting between the RMA and the FIs
(including the NPPF) was held at Phuentsholing in March 2004. The main
objective of the meeting was to discuss issues pertaining to the financial
institutions, particularly with regard to the Prudential Regulations (PR) 2002.
Thereafter, necessary amendments were made to certain sections of the PR
2002 in line with the decisions taken during the meeting. These changes have
come into effect since September 2004. A five-day familiarization workshop
on the PR 2002 was conducted by the Financial Institutions Supervision
Division (FISD) of the RMA from June 23-27, 2003 for the FIs (including the
NPPF) in RMA, Thimphu.

In the late 1990s, a proposal to set up the Credit Information Bureau (CIB)
was initiated by the RMA and the FIs, but the project was stalled due to
complications in the planning process. During the RMAs meeting with the
FIs in March 2004, the importance and the need for establishing a CIB in
Bhutan as an effective institutional mechanism for assisting the FIs in making
proper credit decisions was felt necessary by the FIs. The FIs agreed to
commit themselves to establishing a CIB in Bhutan. In continuation of the
efforts, a CIB taskforce, consisting of two members from each FI, including
the RMA, was formed in July 2004. A CIB Secretariat was informally set up
under the FISD in the RMA for the smooth facilitation of the project.
Thereafter, a series of preliminary meetings was conducted to discuss and
deliberate on various issues relating to CIB.

On June 21, 2004, the RMAs Managing Director issued an office order, in
which a new organization structure for the RMA was outlined, commensurate
with the requirements of an effective central bank. The new structure has
become operational on July 1, 2004. Of particular importance is the creation
of the positions of Deputy Managing Director I, DMD I, who is responsible
for the Operations Department, and Deputy Managing Director II, DMD II,
who is responsible for the Policy and Programs Department. For more details,
please see Annex I.

Work on the revision of the RMA Act of 1982 is in progress. So far, drafting
has been done by the Bundesbank, the Asian Development Bank, and the
International Monetary Fund. Furthermore, draft versions of the Financial
Services Act and the Foreign Exchange Regulations, which have been
ANNEX II



produced by consultants, have been reviewed by RMA Management. A final
review of all three documents will be carried out by the Legal Department of
the International Monetary Fund prior to their submission to the Bhutanese
Authorities for further processing and subsequent approval during 2005.

The Insurance Unit was created in 2003 under the FISD to regulate and
supervise the insurance business in Bhutan in continuation to the RMAs
efforts in strengthening insurance regulation and supervision in Bhutan. In
2000, Bhutan joined as a member of the South Asian Insurance Regulatory
Forum (SAIRF). In 2004, the RMAs proposal to join the International
Association of Insurance Supervisors (IAIS) as a member was approved by the
Board, thereby enabling the RMA to complete the necessary administrative
formalities with the IAIS Secretariat in Switzerland. The Insurance Unit was
re-activated in 2004 in terms of human resource training, insurance
supervision, and staff strength. In December 2004, a three-week
familiarization visit to the RICBL was scheduled in order to conduct a detailed
study on the insurance activities of RICBL.














ANNEX III



FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS


The financial sector in Bhutan consists of the Royal Monetary Authority of Bhutan,
two commercial banks, the Bank of Bhutan and the Bhutan National Bank, two non-
bank financial institutions, the Royal Insurance Corporation of Bhutan and the Bhutan
Development Finance Corporation. Bhutan also has a small stock exchange and a
government pension system, namely, the Royal Securities Exchange of Bhutan and
the National Pension and Provident Fund. Recent developments that have taken place
in the financial sector, apart from the RMA, are outlined below.

Bank of Bhutan (BOB)

Bank of Bhutan, which was established on May 28, 1968, is the oldest and largest
financial institution in the country. Initially, however, due to the non-convertibility of
our local currency, "tikchung", the desired level of monetization and banking services
did not take place. To solve this problem, a collaboration agreement was signed with
the State Bank of India (SBI) on October 7, 1971, providing the SBIs participation in
the capital and management of the BOB. Under the arrangement, the SBI held 40
percent of the bank's shares, while 60 percent were held by the RGOB. After a long
and successful collaboration with the SBI, a new agreement was made on June 27,
1997, extending the collaboration period to December 31, 2001. After that date, the
management of the bank was handed over to Bhutanese nationals. At present, the
RGOB holds 80 percent of the bank's shares, while the remainder is held by the SBI.
BOB was opened with a capital of Nu.2.5 million, and a reserve fund of the same
amount. As of December 2000, the banks capital stood at Nu.100 million, and its
reserve fund at Nu.407.4 million.

In order to better serve the countrys growing needs for banking services, the BOB
entered into a series of arrangements with foreign banks. From 1975 onwards, the
bank started contributing to the earnings of foreign exchange by financing and
facilitating export transactions. During 2000, the banks foreign exchange transactions
amounted to Nu.10.4 million, a substantial increase from Nu.4.2 million in 1999.

In 1989, in an attempt to improve its banking culture, the BOB introduced customer
education in rural areas on its services, deposit mobilization, and follow-up on loans.
Thereafter, in 1986, the bank conducted a door-to-door survey in rural areas to
introduce lending and deposit schemes to the rural community. So as to boost credit,
the BOB reduced its interest rate on selected loan schemes from July 1, 2000. Since
its inception, the branch expansion program was given top priority and there are
presently 25 branches and two extension counters, covering 20 districts within
Bhutan.

During the year 2003, BOBs total assets/liabilities increased by 3.4 percent to
Nu.12,351.4 million from Nu.1,935 million in 2002. With the prudential management
of funds, a marginal improvement in the in-country investment policies, and
expenditure control, BOB recorded a net profit of Nu.164.2 million. Meanwhile, total
deposits increased from Nu.9,093 million in 2002 to Nu.9,593.4 million as at the end
ANNEX III



of 2003, an increase by 5.5. This increase was primarily on account of the current
deposit scheme, followed by short term deposits (under the corporate segment) and
because of this the interest expense on deposits declined from Nu.381.8 million in
2002 to Nu.356.6 million in 2003. In order to align the deposit rates with the
prevailing market rates, the bank has scaled down its fresh term deposit rates effective
from January 1, 2003. During the year, the bank sanctioned loans totaling Nu.1,047.4
million. Excluding the bills discounted and purchased, the majority of these loans
went to manufacturing and industry (37.8 percent), followed by trade and commerce
(29.2 percent), housing (14.9 percent), transport, including both heavy and light
vehicles (12.8 percent), and the rest to other sectors like service and tourism,
agriculture, etc. The bank earned a net return on its total investment of Nu.251.3
million, recording a decline of Nu.115.8 million compared to the last year. The
decline was primarily due to a reduction on term deposits with other banks (low
global deposits rates) and the return from RMA discount bills (decline in discount
rates and the volume of bills auctioned in 2003).

By the end of 2003, BOBs staff totaled 491, comprising of 124 officers, 215 clerks,
and 152 subordinates.

Bhutan National Bank (BNB)

In 1980, the Unit Trust of Bhutan (UTB) was established as a division of the Royal
Insurance Corporation of Bhutan (now RICBL), jointly owned by the Royal
Government and the RICB. In 1992, it started functioning as an independent financial
institution to promote and mobilize small domestic savings, and to channel capital to
productive sectors in the economy. With the overall goal of deepening the financial
system to generate broader and competitive banking services, the Royal Government,
with assistance from the ADB, converted the UTB into the Bhutan National Bank on
December 5, 1996.

The new bank's equity capital base was increased from Nu.59.5 to Nu.119 million
through a rights offer from June 3 to July 12, 2003, at the book value of Nu.550 per
share and a public offer (ADB equity portion of 119,603 and un-subscribed portion of
26,770 shares from the rights offer) from July 21 to August 16, 2003, with 5,133
applicants subscribing for the public offer. With this, the shareholding pattern has
changed considerably. The Government holds only 13.6 percent of BNBs ordinary
shares, while the public holds 38.6 percent, the National Pension Board holds 25.7
percent (making it the single largest institutional shareholder of the bank), Bhutan
Trust Fund holds 9.95 percent, RICBL owns 2.1 percent, and BNBs foreign
investors, the ADB maintained 10.1 percent of the share capital.

BNB's assets as a percentage of the total assets of both commercial banks have risen
to 31 percent in 2003, as compared to 14.2 percent in 1997. BNB now possesses 32.3
percent of the total deposits in the country, while its loan portfolio accounts for 53.6
percent of total advances between the two banks. These developments reflect an
overall expansion in the Bhutanese banking system and the emergence of more
competition in the financial sector.

ANNEX III



By the end of 2002, BNB earned a profit after tax of Nu.57 million that was higher by
about Nu.15 million in comparison to the previous year. The total assets/liabilities
increased by 10 percent to Nu.5,559.3 million in 2003 from Nu.5,062 million in 2002.

Since credit forms the BNBs core banking area, and in order to maintain its market
share, BNB reduced the rates for mortgage loans to 10 percent from 13 percent, equity
loans to 12 percent from 13 percent, loan against shares by 2 percent from 14 percent,
and vehicle quota loans to 12 percent from 13 percent. With these measures, this year
alone, the net credit growth reached Nu.0.7 billion in absolute terms. The total credit
portfolio for the year amounted to Nu.2,404.6 million, a 42 percent growth from the
previous year, and this has been successful with the creation of a separate Recovery
Division. Along with high credit growth, the share of non performing assets (NPA) in
total loans has dropped from 34 percent in 1997 to an all time low of 8.5 percent. On
the deposit side, with the increasing costs of operation and falling interest rates on the
asset side, the bank had to reduce its deposit rates in order to make some margins to
carry its operations. On July 1, 2003, the fixed deposit rates were revised by 0.5-1
percent.

The bank successfully upgraded its banking software to Flexi Cube on January 1,
2003, which has provisions for all modern banking facilities, such as credit card
facilities, internet banking, and ATM. With this software, the bank was successful in
installing two ATM machines in Thimphu and Phuentsholing, respectively, for the
first time in the country; the machines are now in operation. The BNB also signed the
final agreement with the Standard Chartered Bank, India for the Global Credit Cards,
which will add to the customers credit security, liquidity, and respectability in
international transactions. The two parties expect the cards to be activated before the
end of 2004.

By the end of the year, BNBs total staff strength stood at 191, an increase of 4
percent, while 35 employees have been sent for specialized banking courses to
various Asian cities, and ten staff members attended training and workshops in the
country during the year.

Bhutan Development Finance Corporation (BDFC)

BDFC was established in 1988 with assistance from the Asian Development Bank,
equity participation of the RGOB, the BOB, the RICBL, and the RMA, to primarily
assist the private sector by providing financial and technical assistance for industrial,
agricultural, and commercial projects. It is funded by international multilateral
agencies and is not a deposit-taking institution. The ongoing UNCDF/IFAD
agricultural credit programme, which was initially implemented by the RMA, was
transferred to the BDFC in March 1988, along with all assets and staff of the former
Agricultural Credit Division of the RMA. To finance small entrepreneurs, the BDFC
joined the Entrepreneurial Development Program (EDP); its share in the EDP is
Nu.20 million.

Industrial lending activities dominate BDFC's profitability, while agricultural lending,
particularly, micro-financing, is its main responsibility. In October 1998, the BDFC
ANNEX III



issued Nu.50 million worth of 10-year rural credit bonds for the purpose of providing
micro-credit to rural borrowers. The principal goal is to assist small farmers to
increase production and income, and ultimately improve their quality of living.

The Government holds 87 percent of BDFC's paid-up capital, while the other three
financial institutions share the remaining 13 percent equally. The main sources of
funds for BDFC are external concessional loans and grants from international
agencies, such as the UNCDF, HELVETAS, KFAED, SDC, and ADB.

BDFCs consolidated profit grew by Nu.9.1 million to Nu.40.4 million from Nu.31.3
million in the previous year, and is the highest profit level that the corporation has
ever earned. The Industrial Lending Department contributed Nu.27.4 million and the
Agricultural Lending Department Nu.13 million to the overall profit of the
corporation. Total assets of BDFC grew by Nu.237.1 million to Nu.1,242.1 million
from Nu.1,005 million in 2002. This growth was achieved from the additional
borrowings of Nu.100 million each from the NPPF and BNB, Nu.27.7 million from
IFAD under the Second Eastern Zone Agricultural Project (SEZAP), and retained
earnings of the corporation.

At present, BDFC has 21 offices in the country, covering all the districts. BDFC has
also recently introduced a mobile banking facility at the grassroots level which is
already operational in 120 geogs. Meanwhile, the corporation will continue to
emphasize on the implementation of the Group Guarantee Lending and Saving
Scheme (GGLS) programmes piloted in 2002, targeted at the poorest of the poor in
the rural areas. Currently there are 179 farmer groups, consisting of 900 members
availing micro-loans under the GGLS.

At the end of 2003, BDFC's total staff stood at 133 - 30 in the Industrial Lending
Department and 103 in the Agricultural Lending Department - as compared to 125
staff in 2001.

Royal Insurance Corporation of Bhutan Limited (RICBL)

The RICBL commenced operations as the first and only insurance institution in 1975
under the Royal Charter, with 61 percent Government participation and 39 percent
public participation. The company is incorporated under the Companies Act of
Bhutan 1989 and registered under the Financial Institutions Act of Bhutan 1992. It
commenced with a paid up capital of Nu.1 million in 1975, which had increased to
Nu.48 million as of December 2000.

Under the Royal Charter, the mandate of the RICBL is to underwrite all types of
insurance business emanating from Bhutan and also to finance various commercial
undertakings and development projects. The main lines of business of the RICBL can
be categorized into insurance and finance, besides real estate and credit cards. The
services provided by the RICBL under insurance and finance are life insurance,
general insurance, rural housing insurance, and the group insurance cum saving
scheme.

ANNEX III



Right from its inception, the RICBL has not only met the insurance needs of the
country, but also contributed towards the country's economic development by
facilitating finance. In this connection, the Credit and Investment Department was set
up to act as an investment body for all funds. With the investment of these funds in
the economy, housing construction and transportation activities in the country were
taken up by the private sector on a large scale. Almost 75 percent of the houses in
Thimphu, Phuentsholing, and other towns were financed by the RICBL. Besides
housing and transportation loans, the RICBL also invested a considerable amount in
the development of industrial units and trading activities. The GEPF, which was
managed by RICBL since 1976, was transferred to the NPPF from April 2000, when
the company had to part with assets worth Nu.1.2 billion (that accounted for over 80
percent of the RICBL's assets). The separation of the GEPF did not have any adverse
effect on the overall performance of the RICBL. Instead, it helped to resolve the long-
standing problem of excess liquidity and enabled the corporation to concentrate on its
core business.

On December 17, 1997, RICBL pioneered the use of credit cards by launching a
three-category credit card: diamond, gold, and silver. The RICBL also introduced the
classic card, with a drawing facility of up to Nu.30,000 with the objective of reaching
out to the lower and middle-income groups. Thereafter, on June 2, 1999, to mark the
auspicious occasion of His Majesty the King's 25
th
Coronation Jubilee, RICBL
launched two new policies, namely, the "money-back policy" and the "double cover
endowment plan". Apart from its existing loan schemes, RICBL initiated a
contractors revolving credit scheme and a preferential financing scheme (January 7,
2000). The popular preferential financing scheme, which finances private (light)
vehicles, has been temporarily suspended to clear the backlog of pending orders and
also to allay the explosion of vehicle registrations in the country. Since January 2000,
RICBL has financed the purchase of 698 vehicles, of which only 24 were imported
from third countries, while others were from India. Although, this scheme was
initially started to facilitate the purchase of light and medium vehicles, it aims to
expand to include the financing of service/construction, household, and office
equipment.

The overall financial scenario of the corporation as at the end of 2003 reveals a
growth in profits and total assets, but at a lower rate than the previous year. Profit for
the year amounted to Nu.63 million, as against Nu.59.6 million in 2002, an increase
by Nu.3.11 million. The total assets/liabilities increased by 5.2 percent to Nu. 1,495.3
million from Nu.1,334.0 million in 2002.

Human resources, being one of the vital factors for any organization, led to the
corporation's greater emphasis on the development of its staff, and during the year,
RICBL trained a number of its staff in India and other countries in the field of
insurance, computer, finance, and accounts. Total staff strength stood at 159 at the
close of 2003. The corporation is presently in the process of developing client server
based information technology under the Oracle platform, referred to as the Integrated
Insurance Management System (IIMS). The General and Life Insurance system has
been installed during the year and is functioning at the expected level. The
corporation has not declared any dividend for the year 2003, in order to build its
reserves and expand its capital funds. In June 2003, in order to meet the Prudential
ANNEX III




Regulation of the RMA, the RICB issued 1:1 bonus shares, increasing its paid up
share/ paid up capital to Nu.96 million.

National Pension and Provident Fund (NPPF)

Prior to the establishment of the NPPF, the GEPF was managed by the RICBL and
covered only government employees. The benefits were limited to a gratuity and a
provident fund scheme, which were paid as a lump sum after retirement. However, the
inadequacy of the lump sum payment from the gratuity and the GEPF prompted the
Royal Government to initiate a formal old-age income security scheme by
restructuring the GEPF scheme aimed to provide:

Post service retirement benefits to its members;
Income security in the event of permanent disability;
Social support to spouse(s) and dependent children in the event of the death of a
member; and
Compulsory savings plan for salaried employees.

The ADB project and the government working committee in 1999, under the
governance of the Board of Directors, reviewed and evaluated the UNDP's study
(1997) on the "Feasibility of Introducing a Pension Scheme in Bhutan" and
recommended an annuity-based, multi-tiered retirement plan called the national
pension and provident fund plan (NPPFP). Thereby, the Royal Government formally
established the National Pension and Provident Fund as an autonomous body on July
1, 2002, under the governance of the National Pension Board. The NPPFP consists of
two integral separate but linked tiers:

1) The National Pension Plan (NPP)
1
: and

2) The Provident Fund Plan (PFP)
2
.

On July 3, 2000, the NPPF took over GEPF and real estate operations from the
RICBL worth Nu.2 billion in the form of fixed deposits, cash and real estate assets.
Since then its assets have grown to over Nu.2.4 billion, with a net inflow of funds at
around Nu.25 million a month, thus making it the largest institutional investor in the
country.

1
The NPP, titled Tier 1 of the NPPFP, is a defined benefit plan under which monthly pension benefits will be
provided to a member upon retirement and in addition it also provides disability benefit to a member and benefit to
survivor (s).

2
The PFP, titled Tier 2, is a defined contribution provident fund plan under which lump sum benefit equivalent to
all the contributions credited to a member's Tier 2 account, together with returns will be paid on the date of his/her
retirement or death while in service.

Membership criteria for the NPPFP- All national GEPF members, except the members of armed forces, whose
services are regular, will automatically become the simultaneous members of Tier 1 and 2. Non-national regular
employees will become members only of Tier 2, and a separate scheme titled The Armed Forces Pension, and
Provident Fund Scheme has been formulated.

ANNEX III



In fiscal year 2003/2004, the NPPF generated gross revenue of Nu.169.7 million,
compared to Nu.54.9 million during the previous year, achieving a growth of 9.6
percent (Nu.14.8 million) over the last year. Out of this, 83 percent (Nu.140.2 million)
were from interest on investments, while 7 percent (Nu.11.7 million) were on account
of rental income, 9 percent (Nu.16.5 million) as dividends, and 1 percent (1.3 million)
from other revenue. However, the reduction of interest by commercial banks, the
liquidation of Rupee investments by the Bank of Bhutan and promissory notes by the
Royal Government of Bhutan, and the continued sluggishness of the global economy,
coupled with limited investment opportunities in the domestic market, constrained the
further growth of the fund.
As of June 30, 2004, the NPPFs overall international investment value stood at USD
20.8 million, compared to USD 19.3 million in 2003, and it comprised of 26 percent
of its overall investment. As a result of the improvements in the US market, the NPPF
made several tactical adjustments in its investment policy to take advantage of the
market trends, some of which were:
The asset allocation had been maintained at 35 percent in stocks and 65
percent in fixed income.
International equity then managed by 1838 IA was liquidated and invested in
an MSCI Europe Australia and Far East index fund.
15 percent of the fixed income fund managed by 1838 IA MBIA were sold
and invested in the Short Term Vanguard Admiral Bonds index fund.
The NPPF, under the guidance of the Technical Advisory Committee continues to
constantly monitor and make tactical policy changes on the US investments.
Investment avenues in the domestic market continued to be limited and, therefore, a
significant portion of the NPPF funds were kept in short term deposits with the
commercial banks in Bhutan. With the rates on short-term deposits declining from 4
percent to 3 percent per annum during the year, it has significantly affected the returns
on investments. Besides, on liquidation of Rupee investments of Nu.500 million made
through the BOB at 8.8 percent per annum and a promissory note of the Ministry of
Finance of Nu.250 million at 7 percent per annum, these funds were kept with the
banks at a very low return of 3 percent per annum, adversely affecting the returns on
investments. Nevertheless, certain investment opportunities came up during the year,
some of which were as follows:
On October 4, 2003, the NPPF renewed the one year RGOB Treasury Bills for
Nu.180 million at the coupon rate of 7 percent p.a.
The NPPF participated in the consortium loan amounting to Nu.220 million of
the Bhutan Telecom GSM Mobile Project. Out of the total loan of Nu.220
million, NPPFs share represented 32.5 percent, amounting to Nu.71.5 million.
The NPPF also took the opportunity to participate in the Druk Air Bonds for
the purchase of Airbus A319 aircraft for the Druk Air Corporation Limited.
The total amount disbursed till date is Nu.531.4 million.
ANNEX III



Despite the adverse investment climate, the NPPF was able to declare a return of 5
percent p.a. to the members during financial year 2003/2004.
During the year, two new products were introduced for the benefit of the members.
The NPPF launched the housing ccheme, effective from July 1, 2003, with an
objective of helping the members build their residences while working. The education
scheme was launched on March 1, 2004, with the objective of encouraging the
members in pursuing their further education and/ or educating their children.
As on June 30, 2004, the NPPF had sanctioned member-housing loans of Nu.252
million and education loans of Nu.70 million. The overall interest rates for housing
loan, in the financial sector fell to 10 percent per annum in response to the
introduction of the member-housing scheme by the NPPF.
For the benefit of the members, on 26
th
January, 2004, the NPPF launched its website
(www.nppf.org.bt). Members can now secure online information relating to their
personal information and member account details. Although, currently the database is
updated on a monthly basis, there are plans whereby information will be updated
instantly. The enhancement of these capabilities will continue, allowing more
information to be viewed and updated in coming years perhaps on real time basis.
Computerization of the Member Financing Scheme System had been given the prime
importance by the NPPF during the year. It had already commenced software
development as an in-house project, which will be completed by the end of January
2005.

The Royal Securities Exchange of Bhutan (RSEB)

The RSEB is incorporated under the Companies Act and licensed under the Financial
Institutions Act. Its initial authorized capital of Nu.2 million was provided by the four
financial institutions whose subsidiary units, brokerage firms, are licensed to serve as
brokers. The board of directors consists of the Managing Director of the RMA as
Chairman, the CEOs of the four-brokerage firms, the president of the Bhutan
Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI), and the CEO of the RSEB as Member
Secretary. As the Exchange is still at an early stage of development, the RMA, which
acts as a securities commission, provides budget grants for its operations.

The trading system is fully automated and linked by a local area network to the
trading floor. Since the volume of trading is relatively low, the Exchange conducts
trading only twice a week on Tuesdays and Fridays. To eliminate delays in the
registration of physical transfers of shares and to ensure the safety of such documents,
a central depository (CD) was established along with the RSEB. However, due to the
lack of a proper legal framework governing the CD, only about 25 percent of the
securities outstanding are deposited with it and this problem will be solved after the
rules and regulations of the depository drafted by the ADB and International
Securities Consultancy (ISC) comes into force (only after the enactment of the
Financial Services Act of Bhutan). The turnover of the securities at the end of
ANNEX III



December 2003 at the depository was Nu.2,137.7 million, as compared to Nu.2,096.8
million in the previous year. It held about 57.8 percent of the total outstanding shares
in its custody during the year.

The total number of shareholders has increased to 15,867 from 11,461, recording a
growth of 38.4 percent during the year and this growth was achieved mainly due to
the public offer by the ADB of its shares in the BNB.

Within the ongoing financial sector reform process, the existing Securities Exchange
Regulations (1993) need to be upgraded to a modern legislation. The Financial
Institutions Supervision Division in the RMA is required to commence the
supervision of the RSEB and the capital market, while a substantial institutional
strengthening of the RSEB will be necessary. The Exchange began with four listed
companies and a total market capitalization of Nu.393 million, and, since then,
investment in securities has increased dramatically, as at end December 2003 there
are fifteen listed companies and a total market capitalization of Nu.3,534 million. At
end of December 2003 it has been revealed that the BBCL, BNB, PCAL and RICB
traded most actively in the secondary market, with a total turnover during the year of
Nu.20 million.






























ANNEX III




































Particulars 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003
Total Assets/Liabilities 6260.8 6999.1 7417.7 8743.4 9574.5 11935.0 12351.4
Share Capital 50.0 50.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0
Reserves 311.7 360.7 351.3 407.4 538.6 645.3 781.8
Deposits 4397.0 4921.5 5998.7 6274.6 6979.7 9093.0 9593.4
Balances with RMA 1573.9 1539.2 2173.3 2677.2 2877.0 1791.7 2509.7
Balances with other Banks 1433.2 2713.2 2387.2 2657.6 3013.4 4171.7 3914.3
Loans and Advances 1566.8 1230.7 1126.4 1186.6 1531.4 2310.3 2084.5
Interest Income 220.2 297.4 362.2 378.1 563.1 516.4 534.5
Interest Expenses 205.9 273.4 292.9 338.0 379.4 381.8 356.6
Net Interest Income 14.3 24.0 69.3 40.1 183.7 134.6 177.9
Profit before Tax 55.8 98.2 100.1 122.7 243.8 193.9 232.7
Total Assets/Liabilities - 11.8 6.0 17.9 9.5 24.7 3.5
Deposits - 11.9 21.9 4.6 11.2 30.3 5.5
Loans and Advances - -21.5 -8.5 5.3 29.1 50.9 -9.8
Interest Income - 35.1 21.8 4.4 48.9 -8.3 3.5
Interest Expenses - 32.8 7.1 15.4 12.2 0.6 -6.6
Profit before Tax - 76.0 1.9 22.6 98.7 -20.5 20.0
Memorandum Items
No. of Branches 25 25 25 25 26 26 26
No. of Employees 411 412 426 438 452 489 491
No. of Shareholders 2 2 2 2 2 2 2
Shareholding Pattern in Percent:
RGOB 80 80 80 80 80 80 80
SBI 20 20 20 20 20 20 20
Source: Financial Statement of BOB.
Bank of Bhutan - Selected Financial Indicators, 1997 - 2003
(Percentage Change)
(Millions of Ngultrum)
End of Period
















ANNEX III


















































Particulars 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003
Total Assets/Liabilities 1033.3 1402.8 2816.1 3831.5 4124.2 5062.7 5559.3
Share Capital 59.5 59.5 59.5 59.5 59.5 59.5 119.0
Reserves 80.2 98.2 122.3 195.4 243.8 269.0 549.0
Deposits 767.4 1110.9 2489.9 3376.1 3610.2 4522.2 4587.1
Balances with RMA 79.9 135.4 228.2 534.2 464.2 1716.0 1438.0
Rupee Investments in India 79.4 210.4 1131.0 1534.1 1047.6 604.1 579.2
Loans and Advances 687.0 732.1 819.6 948.8 1208.3 1688.4 2404.6
Interest Income 103.8 121.0 170.7 275.1 310.5 306.9 360.3
of which Interest from Rupee Deposits 3.8 10.7 54.6 144.0 146.9 87.2 45.0
Interest Expenses 56.8 61.0 88.9 155.8 196.4 200.2 190.7
Net Interest Income 47.0 60.0 81.8 119.3 114.1 106.7 169.5
Gross Operating Income 59.7 81.6 110.3 189.6 170.4 143.6 194.1
Operating Expenses 28.9 30.2 30.0 49.8 50.2 60.1 71.6
Net Operating Income 30.8 51.4 80.3 139.8 120.2 83.5 122.5
Profit before Tax 21.0 68.3 68.4 150.1 111.6 57.3 81.3
Total Assets/Liabilities - 35.8 100.7 36.1 7.6 22.8 9.8
Deposits - 44.8 124.1 35.6 6.9 25.3 1.4
Loans and Advances - 6.6 12.0 15.8 27.4 39.7 42.4
Interest Income - 16.6 41.1 61.2 12.9 (1.2) 17.4
Operaing Expenses - 4.5 (0.7) 66.0 0.8 19.8 19.2
Profit before Tax - 225.2 0.1 119.4 (25.6) (48.7) 42.0
Market Highlights:
No. of Share holders 411 406 407 407 405.5 409 5451
Year-end closing price per share 225.0 240.0 250.0 700.0 1450.0 2000.0 550.0
(Face value of Nu.100)
Dividend (%) 20.0 50.0 40.0 50.0 50.0 25.0 30.0
Earning per Share 35.2 80.3 80.4 173.0 131.3 67.4 47.8
PE Ratio 6.4 3.0 3.1 4.1 11.1 29.7 11.5
Divident Yield 8.5 18.9 13.1 11.7 9.8 4.5 5.3
Return on Capital 0.2 0.3 0.8 1.7 0.2 0.1 0.1
Memorandum Items
No. of Branches 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
No. of Employees 113 125 135 144 165 182 191
Shareholding Pattern in Percent:
ADB 0.0 0.0 20.1 20.1 20.1 20.1 10.1
Citibank 0.0 0.0 19.9 19.9 0.0 0.0 0.0
RGOB 67.2 67.2 27.2 27.2 27.2 27.2 13.6
RICB/PF 4.2 4.2 4.2 4.2 2.1 2.1 2.1
Public 28.6 28.6 28.6 28.6 28.6 28.6 38.6
BTF 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 10.0 10.0 10.0
NPPFB 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 12.1 12.1 25.7
Source: Financial Statement of BNB and RSEB Annual Report.
Bhutan National Bank - Selected Financial Indicators, 1997 - 2003
(Millions of Ngultrum)
(Percentage Change)
End of Period


ANNEX III



3



























Particulars 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 200
Total Assets/Liabilities 488.0 557.3 614.7 718.6 809.7 1005.0 1242.1
Share Capital 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0
Reserves 81.1 91.2 107.1 123.6 141.0 159.9 158.4
Balances with BOB and BNB/ Current a/cs 24.7 24.6 26.4 43.4 31.3 28.9 88.8
Loans Receivables 406.1 422.1 450.4 500.1 642.5 908.1 1114.1
Interest on Loans 46.9 50.2 54.1 66.3 69.5 97.7 127.7
Operating Expenses 21.9 21.8 27.7 25.6 25.9 31.8 35.9
Profit for the Year 0.8 6.3 8.8 12.9 24.4 31.3 40.4
Total Assets/Liabilities - 14.2 10.3 16.9 12.7 24.1 23.6
Loans Receivables - 3.9 6.7 11.0 28.5 41.3 22.7
Interest on Loans - 7.0 7.8 22.6 4.8 40.6 30.7
Operating Expenses - -0.5 27.1 -7.6 1.2 22.7 13.0
Profit before Tax - 687.5 39.7 46.6 89.1 28.1 29.1
Memorandum Items
No. of Branches 20 20 20 20 21 22 22
No. of Employees 117 114 128 131 125 133 133
Shareholding Pattern in Percent:
RGOB 87 87 87 87 82 82 82
Financial Institutions 13 13 13 13 18 18 18
Source: Financial Statement of BDFC.
Bhutan Development Finance Corporation - Selected Financial Indicators, 1997 - 2003
(Millions of Ngultrum)
(Percentage Change)
End of Period






















ANNEX III













Particulars 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003
Total Assets/Liabilities 1500.6 2077.9 2452.6 1336.9 1154.4 1334.0 1495.3
Share Capital 24.0 24.0 24.0 48.0 48.0 48.0 96.0
Reserves 55.9 133.0 143.1 69.6 103.9 145.6 141.5
Call Deposits with RMA 0.2 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
Foreign Currency Deposits 0.6 .1 2.7 1.1 5.4 6.0 4.8
Loans and Advances 697.9 954.6 666.9 815.4 947.3 1112.8 1211.8
Interest Income 175.1 169.4 160.4 139.9 126.3 145.2 145.1
Interest Expenses 8.1 .1 10.3 11.7 79.7 89.0 96.2
Gross Operating Income 116.4 43.2 40.7 47.5 79.5 71.0 78.49
Operating Expenses 34.8 10.4 6.1 13.0 29.8 11.5 15.8
Profit before Tax 31.0 32.8 34.6 34.6 49.7 59.6 62.7
Total Assets/Liabilities - 38.5 18.0 -45.5 -13.7 15.6 12.1
Call Deposits with RMA - 0.0 -100.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
Loans and Advances - 36.8 -30.1 22.3 16.2 17.5 8.9
Interest Income - -3.3 -5.3 -12.8 -9.7 15.0 -0.1
Operaing Expenses - -70.1 -41.3 113.1 129.2 -61.4 37.2
Profit before Tax - 5.8 5.5 0.0 43.6 19.9 5.2
Market Highlights:
No. of Share holders 205 200 260 2543 2056 1871 1715
Year-End Closing Price Per Share 0.0 0.0 3700.0 4100.0 4100.0 4205.0 3500.0
(Face value of Nu.100)
Dividend (%) 25.0 40.0 30.0 15.0 20.0 - -
Earning per Share 905.0 955.4 1009.6 455.2 724.1 868.5 457.3
PE Ratio 2.8 3.9 3.7 9.0 5.7 4.8 7.7
Divident Yield 0.8 6.1 0.4 3.7 4.9 - -
Return on Capital 0.3 0.2 0.1 0.2 0.2 0.2 -
Memorandum Items
No. of Branches 2 2 2 2 9 9 9
No. of Employees 185 195 203 172 153 157 159
Shareholding Pattern in Percent:
RGOB 61.0 61.0 61.0 39.3 39.3 39.3 39.3
Public 14.7 14.7 16.2 37.2 37.2 37.2 55.8
Private 24.3 24.3 23.5 23.5 23.5 23.5 23.5
Source: Financial Statement of RICBL and RSEB Annual Report.
Royal Insurance Corporation of Bhutan Limited - Selected Financial Indicators, 1997 - 2003
(Millions of Ngultrum)
(Percentage Change)
End of Period



0.2

2

9
ANNEX IV



TOURISM

The first official tourists to Bhutan were a group of Americans led by Lars Eric
Lindblad of Lindblad Travel New York after the Royal Coronation in 1974.
Thereafter, the Bhutan Tourism Corporation was responsible for all tourist operations
up till 1991, when the tourism industry was privatised. It was then that the Tourism
Authority of Bhutan (TAB) was established as a regulatory body, which in 2000 was
re-instituted as the Department of Tourism in a Royal Government restructuring
exercise.

Since its inception, the development of the tourism industry is consistently guided by
its policy of "high quality, low volume," in an effort to ensure the preservation of
Bhutan's environment, its traditional culture, and values. The very elements of
Bhutan's natural and cultural wealth are now being upheld even more strongly as the
foundation for current and future development of tourism in Bhutan. The enormous
possibilities in the marketability of eco-tourism products will soon alter the overriding
principle for the industry from "high quality, low volume" to "high quality, low
negative impact." (Bhutan National Eco-Tourism Strategy, Department of Tourism,
September 2001) The Bhutan National Eco-Tourism Strategy, a collaboration between
the Department of Tourism and members of the Association for Bhutan Tour
Operators (ABTO), was published in November 2001 as a guide to entrepreneurs and
a report on the strategies to be adopted by the Government in the tourism sector.

In a span of 28 years, tourist arrivals have risen from 287 in 1979 to 6261 in 2003.
The tourism sector continues to be recognized for its considerable potential as a major
source of income for the Government, and as a private sector employer to part of
Bhutan's growing working population. Tourism is the Kingdom's largest source for
convertible currency earnings, excluding Rupee exports of electricity. Tourism
receipts to the Government consist of royalties and taxes collected from tour
operators. As at the end of the FY 2003/2004, Government receipts from tourism
accounted for 3 percent of total national revenue, recording an increase in revenue
contribution from 2002/2003 by 16.2 percent (Dept. of Revenue and Customs). It is
projected as second only to hydropower in the 9FYP.

According to the Planning Commission's
document, Bhutan 2020, by the end of the
10 FYP (2012), tourism will constitute 25
percent of GDP and revenues will have
increased by 100 percent, while by the
end of the 11 FYP (2017), tourism
revenues will have risen by 150 percent.
Client pays per day 200.00
Less 10 % commission to overseas agent 20.00
So Bhutan receives 180.00
Less 35% agreed royalty to RGOB 65.00
Less 2% withheld tax to RGOB 3.60
Received by tour operator 111.40
Client pays per day 165.00
Less 10% commission to overseas agent 16.50
So Bhutan receives 148.50
Less 35% agreed royalty to RGOB 55.00
Less 2% withheld tax to RGOB 3.00
Received by tour operator 90.50
Source: Department of Tourism.
Analysis of Daily Fee Breakdown (USD)
HIGH SEASON
LOW SEASON

The primary source for tourism statistics
is the Department of Tourism; however
the Ministry of Foreign Affairs also
maintains records of other foreign guests.
Statistics on visitors from Bangladesh,
India, and the Maldives, who do not
ANNEX IV



require visas to enter the country and are yet to be captured at this stage.

Liberalization of the licensing process had been initiated in early 1999, following a
unanimous response from Bhutanese entrepreneurs to dilute the monopoly of early
operators. Licenses for tour operators had been limited to 33 for a number of years
prior to the liberalization. This has not, however, changed the fact that as at the end of
2003 the top 6 tour agencies accounted for 42.4 percent of all tourists who visited
Bhutan. As of September 2004, there were a total of 143 registered tour operators up
from 131 as of October 2003.

Meanwhile in 1996, there were a total of 32 hotels, lodges, and guesthouses to
accommodate visiting travellers. By 2003, those figures grew to 69 approved
establishments, with a total of 1,239 rooms in major towns across the country.

Selected Tourism Indicators 1999-2003
Item 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003
Tourist Arrivals 7158 7559 6393 5599 6261
Of which: Cultural 6328 6633 5925 5242 5823
Trekking 830 926 468 357 438
% Change in arrivals 18.8 5.6 -15.4 -12.4 11.8
Gross Receipts
1
8.9 10.5 9.2 8.0 8.3
% Change in receipts 11.3 18.0 -12.4 -13.0 3.8
Government Revenue 3.5 4.1 3.3 2.8 2.9
% Change in Govt. Revenue 14.3 17.1 -19.5 -15.2 3.6
Source: Department of Tourism. -1) Millions of USD.

From the beginning, the Bhutanese tourism market has been largely dominated by the
section of North Americans and Europeans. These two segments alone accounted for
75 percent of all visitors to Bhutan in 2003. The Japanese came in third with a share
of 15 percent last year.

Fiscal Year 2003/2004

S
Performance in the tourism sector,
which had suffered a backlash on
account of recessionary global trends
and political instability in the region,
indicated positive signs of recovery
during the review year. This was
reflected in the increase of tourist
numbers by 12.9 percent (to 6873) in
contrast to a decline by 20.5 percent
in 2002/2003, and a growth in
foreign exchange earnings by 8.5
percent (to USD 9.2 million),
compared to 5.5 percent in the
previous year.
ource of Tourist Arrivals for 2003
Australia
and New
Zealand
3%
Others
7%
Japan
15%
Western
Europe
44%
North
America
31%

ANNEX IV



Supporting tourism development, the Druk Air Corporation also took significant steps
during the year 2003/2004 towards improving its air travel services with the
agreement to purchase 2 new Airbus aircraft for the fleet (October 2003), and with the
subsequent introduction of Gaya in India as its 6
th
flight destination launched on
November 11, 2004.

Tourist Arrivals and Convertible Currency Revenue
1


2002 2003 2004

Absolute % Change Absolute % Change Absolute % Change
Period
No. Rev. No. Rev. No. Rev. No. Rev. No. Rev. No. Rev.
Jan 55 0.1 -70.3 -65.7 192 0.2 249.1 227.3 89 0.1 -53.6 -60.3
Feb 269 0.2 -24.2 -34.5 98 0.1 -63.6 -62.5 358 0.4 265.3 286.0
Mar 862 1.1 55.9 34.0 654 0.8 -24.1 -29.5 831 1.1 27.1 35.8
Apr 683 1.1 -58.1 -51.0 1215 1.8 77.9 53.5 1304 2.0 7.3 12.2
May 296 0.4 7.2 -4.3 397 0.5 34.1 36.8 448 0.6 12.8 8.0
June 79 0.1 -45.9 -29.2 176 0.2 122.8 88.9 314 0.3 78.4 93.5
July 114 0.1 -11.6 9.1 112 0.1 -1.8 -29.8
Aug 213 0.2 -15.5 -19.6 198 0.2 -7.0 -5.6
Sept 760 1.2 -12.4 -18.7 612 0.9 -19.5 -25.3
Oct 1474 2.4 12.7 11.6 1456 2.2 -1.2 -7.5
Nov 643 0.9 24.4 10.9 862 1.1 34.1 28.4
Dec 151 0.1 -12.2 -28.4 289 0.3 91.4 107.5
Total 5599 8.0 -12.4 -13.2 6261 8.3 11.8 4.3 - - - -
1) USD million.

In February 2003, Bhutan made the decision to join the World Tourism Organization
(WTO) and was formally accepted as a member at the WTOs General Assembly held
in Beijing, China, in October of the same year. The World Tourism Organization is
the leading international organization in the field of tourism and travel, with 143
member nations and with its headquarters in Madrid. By becoming a member, Bhutan
aims to develop its vast potential, and strengthen its ability to withstand external
shocks.

Though there is currently no system to measure the inflow of tourists from
neighbouring countries such as Bangladesh, India, and the Maldives, there are an
estimated 11,000 Indian tourists who visit Bhutan annually, a majority of which are
from West Bengal. These tourists make their way to Bhutan usually in the winter that
coincides with their religious holidays, the snowfall, and Druk Air discounted airfares.
Though Bhutanese tour operators offer tour packages to attract Indian tourists during
winter, an otherwise low season, most Indian tourists prefer to travel to Bhutan by
road, on their own. Tour agencies admit however, that this is a huge market that has
further potential for future utilization. It could also help in reducing seasonalities
faced.

Till date there has been considerable FDI in the country aimed towards developments
in the tourism sector. One of these, the Aman-Bhutan project, is a joint venture
between Bhutan Tourism Corporation Ltd. (BTCL) and Maha/Aman Resorts,
Singapore that was registered as Bhutan Resorts Corporation Ltd. (BRCL), in August
2001. Aman Resorts caters to a select affluent segment of world travellers and was
founded in 1988. It now has 11 resorts over five continents with just over 400 rooms.
ANNEX IV



In Bhutan, BRCL will be establishing small luxury resorts in Paro, Thimphu,
Punakha, Gangtey Gompa, Trongsa, and Bumthang with a total of 72 rooms.
Construction work on Phase I of the project covering Paro, Thimphu, and Punakha
was expected to be completed and operational by April 2003, while Phase II including
Gangtey Gompa, Trongsa and Bumthang was due to be completed by September
2003.

As at the end of the fiscal year 2003/2004, updates confirm considerable progress on
the resorts: Paro site: 100 percent completed; the AmanKora was inaugurated end of
June 2004. Thimphu site: 79 percent completed, Punakha site: 48 percent completed,
and Bumthang site: 48 percent completed, and Gangtey Gompa site: 43 percent
completed. The targeted completion of the Thimphu and Punakha resorts is the end of
February 2005. Meanwhile, the Gantey Gompa and Bumthang resorts are planned to
be finished by the end of September 2005, and once work on the Trongsa site
commences, it is planned for completion end of March 2006.

Initial total project costs have been estimated at USD 14 million, with a proposed
capital structure of USD 6 million equity and USD 8 million debt. Aman Resorts will
contribute to 60 percent of the equity, BTCL will contribute 30 percent and 10 percent
of equity will be floated to the public, when decided by the company. Debt financing
is being sought from local financial institutions, and external financing.

Soon after the establishment of the Bhutan Resorts Corporation Ltd, another FDI
venture in tourism was forged between Bhutan International Company and M/s. HPL
Properties (West Asia) Pte. Limited, Singapore. Bhutan Eco Ventures Limited
(BEVL) was incorporated on November 6, 2001, with the main objective of setting up
exotic resort hotels initially in Paro, and subsequently in Haa, and Punakha

Out of the total project expenditure of USD 4 million, USD 3 million will be met in
proportion to the respective holdings of BEVLs shareholders (M/s. HPL Properties
Pte Limited 60 percent, Bhutan International Company 30 percent, and 10 percent
floated to the public), while the balance of USD 1 million will be raised through
loans. According to BEVL, the Paro Uma Hotel was completed in October 2004,
while construction on the second and third phase in Ha and Bumthang will begin
subsequently.

For the Ninth Plan, the Royal Government has marked tourism as a "priority sector"
allocating funds of Nu.185 million for tourism development. Among these,
Department of Tourism officials report that part of the budget will be used in setting
up a hotel management and training institute in Thimphu in addition to the
development and promotion of new tourism products including retreat meditation,
river rafting, mountain biking, rock climbing, and skiing. The Himalayan Adventures
tour agency was the first to offer motor-biking adventure tour packages in September
2003.

The Royal Government of Bhutan took a major step towards the liberalization and
integration of the Bhutanese economy with the rest of the world on December 3,
2002, by approving the FDI Policy. Joint venture projects such as BRCL and BEVL
are a significant step in the early stages of building an enabling FDI environment
ANNEX IV



within the country that will boost the local economy through inflows of technology,
foreign exchange, and creation of employment. Other cases of FDI within the country
include the State Bank of India's participation in the Bank of Bhutan's initial
establishment in 1968, and the ADB's equity contribution during the setting up of
Bhutan National Bank in 1997.












































ANNEX IV


































Tourism Arrivals by Nationality and Activity 1998-2003
Country of Origin 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 Change over
2002 (%)
USA 1471 2122 2754 2149 1913 1806 -5.6
Japan 1032 1102 875 1038 892 952 6.7
Germany 520 574 662 414 346 496 43.4
United Kingdom 686 646 595 681 519 605 16.6
France 366 236 399 287 192 288 50.0
Netherlands 370 362 359 180 197 179 -9.1
Canada 82 149 194 197 166 121 -27.1
Australia 64 131 179 138 214 165 -22.9
Taiwan 135 179 175 44 40 90 125.0
Italy 218 276 156 192 177 331 87.0
Spain 109 118 141 73 68 77 13.2
Switzerland 170 296 137 170 164 177 7.9
Austria 270 197 131 128 92 152 65.2
Belgium 95 107 95 76 22 104 372.7
Thailand 19 71 92 36 46 66 43.5
Israel 81 80 68 78 5 47 840.0
Finland 5 60 17 14 14 0.0
Nepal 23 23 50 14 16 13 -18.8
Sweden 58 37 48 28 41 48 17.1
Mexico 49 37 7 38 72 89.5
Turkey 49 34 30 61 9 -85.2
Singapore 77 26 31 15 8 20 150.0
New Zealand 28 22 31 25 32 37 15.6
Others 329 301 256 376 336 392 16.7
TOTAL ARRIVALS 6203 7158 7559 6393 5599 6261 11.8
Trekking 1343 830 926 468 357 438 22.7
Cultural 4860 6328 6633 5925 5242 5823 11.1

Source of Total Arrivals (%)
Sector 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003
North America
1
25.0 31.7 39.0 36.7 37.3 30.8
Japan 16.6 15.4 11.6 16.2 15.9 15.2
Western Europe 50.3 43.9 40.1 39.6 37.2 44.1
Australia and New Zealand 1.5 2.1 2.8 2.5 4.4 3.2
Others 6.5 6.9 6.6 4.9 5.1 6.6
Total 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0
1)USA and Canada.
Source: Department of Tourism, Royal Government of Bhutan.

ANNEX V



THE POWER SECTOR IN BHUTAN