Annual Report (July 2018- March 2019) State of the Royal Civil Service

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Annual Report (July 2018- March 2019) State of the Royal Civil Service ANNUAL REPORT (July 2018- March 2019) STATE OF THE ROYAL CIVIL SERVICE Royal Civil Service Commission ROYAL GOVERNMENT OF BHUTAN Royal Civil Service Commission Annual Report 2018-2019 Table of Contents List of Acronyms ...................................................................................................xi INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................... 1 i. Commission Meeting ..........................................................................................7 ii. Representation of Commission in Boards/Committees and Lead Role in Reforms ...............................................................................................................7 iii. Visits by the Commission ....................................................................................9 iv. Meeting of the Constitutional Offices ...............................................................10 v. Budget Summary of RCSC Secretariat for the Last Five Years ...........................11 vi. Royal Audit of RCSC ..........................................................................................12 vii. RAA’s Performance Report (February 2018) on In-country Travel ....................13 viii. Annual Performance Targets of the RCSC Secretariat .......................................13 ix. RCSC Human Resource Committee Meetings ...................................................14 x. OD Exercise of RCSC Secretariat........................................................................14 PART 1: CIVIL SERVICE STATISTICS ....................................................................... 15 1.1 Civil Service Staffing Trends ..............................................................................15 1.2 Age Profile of the Civil Service ..........................................................................16 1.3 Gender Profile of the Civil Service ....................................................................16 1.4 Age and Gender Profile of Executives/Specialists .............................................18 1.5 Length of Service ..............................................................................................19 1.6 Civil Service by Location ....................................................................................19 1.7 Civil Servants by Superstructure .......................................................................20 1.8 Civil Servants by Major Occupational Group ....................................................20 PART 2 - CIVIL SERVICE REFORMS ........................................................................ 22 2.1 Organisational Development Exercise (ODE) ....................................................23 2.1.1 Background ...........................................................................................23 2.1.2 Organisational Development Exercise Coverage ...................................23 2.1.3 Status of Implementation of OD Recommendations (C1, C2 & C3) ......24 2.1.4 OD Recommendations Dependent on Amendment/Enactment of Act .....................................................................................................25 2.1.5 OD Recommendations approved for 12th FYP .......................................25 2.1.6 OD Recommendations not Approved ...................................................25 2.1.7 Selected OD Recommendations Piloted ...............................................25 2.1.8 Agencies Created/Delinked ...................................................................27 2.1.9 Directorate Services ..............................................................................27 2.1.10 Local Government Common Framework ..............................................27 2.1.11 Other Key Benefits of ODE ....................................................................28 2.1.12 Way Forward on the Organisational Development Exercise .................28 2.2 Bhutan Civil Service System ..............................................................................29 2.2.1 Background ...........................................................................................29 2.2.2 Outputs/Outcomes of the BCSS ............................................................30 2.2.3 Superstructure ......................................................................................30 2.2.4 Career Progression ................................................................................31 Excellence in Service Page iii Royal Civil Service Commission Annual Report 2018-2019 2.2.5 Bhutan Civil Service Rules and Regulations 2018 .................................32 2.2.6 Way Forward on the Bhutan Civil Service System .................................33 2.3 Succession Planning and Leadership Development ..........................................34 2.3.1 Background ...........................................................................................34 2.3.2 Succession Planning ..............................................................................35 2.3.3 Performance Management of Executives .............................................36 2.3.4 Leadership Development ......................................................................37 2.3.5 Way Forward on Succession Planning and Leadership Development ...39 2.4 Performance Management System - Managing for Excellence (MaX) ..............40 2.4.1 Background ...........................................................................................40 2.4.2 Moderation Exercise .............................................................................42 2.4.3 Agency Scoring on APA/APT ..................................................................42 2.4.4 Moderation Results for FY 2017 – 18 ....................................................43 2.4.5 Benefits of Managing for Excellence Reform ........................................43 2.4.6 Comparative Study on the Performance Rating before and after MaX System ..................................................................................44 2.4.7 Challenges .............................................................................................44 2.4.8 Way Forward on the Performance Management and MaX ..................45 2.5 Civil Service Well-being .....................................................................................46 2.5.1 Background ...........................................................................................46 2.5.2 Civil Service Support Desk .....................................................................46 2.5.3 Civil Service Retirement Services ..........................................................49 2.5.4 Civil Servants’ Welfare Scheme .............................................................50 2.5.5 Royal Civil Service Awards .....................................................................53 2.5.6 Way Forward on the Civil Service Well-Being .......................................54 PART 3 - HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT AND MANAGEMENT ...................... 57 3.1 Human Resource Development ........................................................................57 3.1.1 Overall Human Resource Development Programme implementation Status (2014 until February 2019) ........................................................57 3.1.2 Major HR Development Programmes/Scholarships Implementation Status ....................................................................................................57 3.1.3 Update on Human Resource Development initiatives ..........................63 3.1.4 Major HRD Issues ..................................................................................67 3.2 Human Resource Management ........................................................................68 3.2.1 Staffing & Structure Review ..................................................................69 3.2.2 Decentralisation of HRM Functions ......................................................79 3.2.3 ESP and GSP Standards Established and Decentralised ........................79 3.2.4 Recruitment ..........................................................................................80 3.2.5 Health Standards and Teacher Requirement Exercise Tool ...................81 3.2.6 Entry Rationalisation .............................................................................82 3.2.7 PMC Recruitment Projection till 2030...................................................82 3.2.8 Support to Local Government ...............................................................83 3.2.9 Redeployment of Excess Civil Servants .................................................84 3.2.10 Promotion .............................................................................................84 3.2.11 Transfer .................................................................................................85 iv Page Excellence in Service Royal Civil Service Commission Annual Report 2018-2019 3.2.12 Separation .............................................................................................85 3.2.13 International Volunteers .......................................................................86 3.2.14 Secondment ..........................................................................................87 3.2.15 Officer on Special Assignment (OSA) ....................................................87 3.2.16 Parent Agency Framework ....................................................................87 3.2.17 RGoB Scholarship
Recommended publications
  • Geographical and Historical Background of Education in Bhutan
    Chapter 2 Geographical and Historical Background of Education in Bhutan Geographical Background There is a great debate regarding from where the name of „Bhutan‟ appears. In old Tibetan chronicles Bhutan was called Mon-Yul (Land of the Mon). Another theory explaining the origin of the name „Bhutan‟ is derived from Sanskrit „Bhotanta‟ where Tibet was referred to as „Bhota‟ and „anta‟ means end i. e. the geographical area at the end of Tibet.1 Another possible explanation again derived from Sanskrit could be Bhu-uttan standing for highland, which of course it is.2 Some scholars think that the name „Bhutan‟ has come from Bhota (Bod) which means Tibet and „tan‟, a corruption of stan as found in Indo-Persian names such as „Hindustan‟, „Baluchistan‟ and „Afganistan‟etc.3 Another explanation is that “It seems quite likely that the name „Bhutan‟ has come from the word „Bhotanam‟(Desah iti Sesah) i.e., the land of the Bhotas much the same way as the name „Iran‟ came from „Aryanam‟(Desah), Rajputana came from „Rajputanam‟, and „Gandoana‟ came from „Gandakanam‟. Thus literally „Bhutan‟ means the land of the „Bhotas‟-people speaking a Tibetan dialect.”4 But according to Bhutanese scholars like Lopen Nado and Lopen Pemala, Bhutan is called Lho Mon or land of the south i.e. south of Tibet.5 However, the Bhutanese themselves prefer to use the term Drukyul- the land of Thunder Dragon, a name originating from the word Druk meaning „thunder dragon‟, which in turn is derived from Drukpa school of Tibetan Buddhism. Bhutan presents a striking example of how the geographical setting of a country influences social, economic and political life of the people.
    [Show full text]
  • A Historical Background of the Chhoetse Penlop∗ Dorji Wangdi+
    A Historical Background of the Chhoetse Penlop∗ Dorji Wangdi+ The institution of the Chhoetse Penlop (later called Trongsa Penlop) is more than 350 years. It was started by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal in 1647 after he appointed Chhogyel Minjur Tenpa as his representative in Trongsa. This royal institution with a unique blend of mythology and history represents Bhutan’s past. The Trongsa Dzong was founded by Yongzin Ngagi Wangchuk (1517-1554), the son of Lam Ngawang Chhoejay. According to the legend, Ngagi Wangchuk was guided in a vision by Palden Lhamo, the guardian deity of the Dragon Kingdom, to go to a place in central Bhutan which resembled a bow and which was abundant in food grains (mang-dru). The name Mangdey has its origin in this word. Accordingly, Pal Ngagi Wangchuk arrived at Trongsa in 1541 where he took residence in the village of Yueli which was located on the northern hill-slopes overlooking the then bare hillock upon which the Trongsa Dzong is presently located. One night when Pal Ngagi Wangchuk was meditating in Yueli, his attention was drawn by a flicker of light, resembling that of a butter-lamp burning in the open air, at the spot where the present day Goenkhang in the Trongsa Dzong is located. Upon visiting the spot, he was deeply overwhelmed by discovery of Lhamoi Latsho (a sacred lake of Palden Lhamo) and the hoof prints of Palden Lhamo’s steed. In 1543, Pal Ngagi Wangchuk established a small tshamkhang (meditation quarter) in the sacred spot brought ∗ This is a longer version of the paper printed in Kuensel, Vol XIX No.
    [Show full text]
  • Heidelberg Papers in South Asian and Comparative Politics the History of Institutional Change in the Kingdom of Bhutan: a Tale O
    Heidelberg Papers in South Asian and Comparative Politics The History of Institutional Change in the Kingdom of Bhutan: A Tale of Vision, Resolve, and Power by Marian Gallenkamp Working Paper No. 61 April 2011 South Asia Institute Department of Political Science Heidelberg University HEIDELBERG PAPERS IN SOUTH ASIAN AND COMPARATIVE POLITICS ISSN: 1617-5069 About HPSACP This occasional paper series is run by the Department of Political Science of the South Asia Institute at the University of Heidelberg. The main objective of the series is to publicise ongoing research on South Asian politics in the form of research papers, made accessible to the international community, policy makers and the general public. HPSACP is published only on the Internet. The papers are available in the electronic pdf-format and are designed to be downloaded at no cost to the user. The series draws on the research projects being conducted at the South Asia Institute in Heidelberg, senior seminars by visiting scholars and the world-wide network of South Asia scholarship. The opinions expressed in the series are those of the authors, and do not represent the views of the University of Heidelberg or the Editorial Staff. Potential authors should consult the style sheet and list of already published papers at the end of this article before making a submission. Editor Subrata K. Mitra Deputy Editors Jivanta Schöttli Siegfried O. Wolf Managing Editor Radu Carciumaru Editorial Assistants Dominik Frommherz Kai Fabian Fürstenberg Editorial Advisory Board Mohammed Badrul Alam Barnita Bagchi Dan Banik Harihar Bhattacharyya Mike Enskat Alexander Fischer Karsten Frey Partha S.
    [Show full text]
  • Monthly E-Newsletter of the Embassy of India, Thimphu
    9/7/2020 BILATERAL: Covid-19 RT-PCR test kits to Bhutan | elink Monthly E-Newsletter of the Embassy of India in Thimphu AUGUST 2020 September 3, 2020 Dear Reader, I am delighted to present the {rst monthly e-newsletter of the Embassy of India in Thimphu! This newsletter will capture our activities in Bhutan, key developments in India and of course, heart- warming stories of community and companionship. August is, of course, a special month for us as we celebrated India's 74th Independence Day. The warm messages we received from Bhutan are an indication of the strong bonds we share, not just at the political level, but also at a personal one. The Government of India launched a slew of development initiatives in August 2020 in the areas of education, agriculture, taxation, and health, all aimed at helping India achieve self- reliance: ‘Aatma Nirbhar Bharat’. We hope you enjoy reading this {rst edition of our monthly e-newsletter. Tashi Delek! Jai Hind! - Ruchira Kamboj, Ambassador of India to Bhutan https://elink.io/p/india-in-bhutan-984c310 1/18 9/7/2020 BILATERAL: Covid-19 RT-PCR test kits to Bhutan | elink indembthimphu.gov.in BILATERAL: Covid-19 RT-PCR test kits to Bhutan 17 August 2020: The Government of India handed over the 6th consignment of medical supplies with 20,000 Covid-19 RT-PCR tests to the Royal Government of Bhutan, at Phuentsholing, to assist Bhutan in {ghting the Covid-19 pandemic. Going forward, India will continue to extend all possible support to Bhutan to minimize the health and economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
    [Show full text]
  • Pdf Banco Mundial
    Estudios de Asia y África ISSN: 0185-0164 ISSN: 2448-654X El Colegio de México A.C. Rodríguez-Calles, Luis Breve historia de Bután. Una identidad y un horizonte común en torno a la felicidad como objetivo político Estudios de Asia y África, vol. 54, núm. 2, Mayo-Agosto, 2019, pp. 373-390 El Colegio de México A.C. DOI: 10.24201/eaa.v54i2.2434 Disponible en: http://www.redalyc.org/articulo.oa?id=58660239007 Cómo citar el artículo Número completo Sistema de Información Científica Redalyc Más información del artículo Red de Revistas Científicas de América Latina y el Caribe, España y Portugal Página de la revista en redalyc.org Proyecto académico sin fines de lucro, desarrollado bajo la iniciativa de acceso abierto ESTUDIOS DE ASIA Y ÁFRICA, VOL. 54, NÚM. 2 (169), 2019, PP. 373-390 ISSN 0185-0164 e-ISSN 2448-654X CULTURA Y SOCIEDAD https://dx.doi.org/10.24201/eaa.v54i2.2434 Breve historia de Bután. Una identidad y un horizonte común en torno a la felicidad como objetivo político A brief history of Bhutan. An identity and a common horizon around happiness as a political objective LUIS RODRÍGUEZ-CALLES* Resumen: Se hace un repaso histórico de los acontecimientos más re- levantes ocurridos en el territorio que ahora pertenece a Bután, en el periodo que llega a la instauración de una monarquía hereditaria a principios de siglo XX. En un cuadro se resumen esos acontecimien- tos. Así se pretende dar luz al periodo histórico más desconocido del país con objeto de complementar otros análisis académicos sobre la felicidad, el budismo y las particularidades del modelo de desarrollo en Bután.
    [Show full text]
  • The Executive
    The Executive VOLUME I NOVEMBER 7, 2018 - NOVEMBER 7, 2019 YEAR IN OFFICE Laying foundation for change 1,000 Golden Days Plus Digital transformation Removal of “cut Teachers, the Narrowing gap Densa Meet: off” for Class X highest paid civil through pay the other servant revision Mines and Cabinet Minerals Bill AM with PM: Getting to know Revising Tourism policy 9 better Tariff revision Private sector Policies development approved committee Laying foundation for change “Climb higher on the shoulders of past achievements - your task is not to fill old shoes or follow a well-trodden path, but to forge a new road leading towards a brighter future.” His Majesty The King Royal Institute of Management August 9, 2019 Contents • Introduction 8 • From the Prime Minister 10 • Initiating change 13 • Country before party 14 • Revisiting our vision 15 • The 12th Plan is critical 18 • The Nine Thrusts 19 • Densa, the other Cabinet 22 • High value, low volume tourism 22 • More focus on health and education 24 • AM with PM: A dialogue with the Prime Minister 25 • Investing in our children 26 • Pay revised to close gap 27 • Rewarding the backbone of education 28 • Taking APA beyond formalities 29 • Block grant empowers LG 30 • Major tax reforms 30 • TVET transforms 31 • Cautious steps in hydro 32 • Encouraging responsible journalism 32 • Private sector-led economy 33 • Meeting pledges 34 • Policies Approved 36 • Guidelines reviewed and adopted 37 • Overhauling health 38 • A fair chance for every Bhutanese child 41 • Education comes first 42 • Grateful
    [Show full text]
  • Weekly Newsletter
    September 15, 2019 The Royal Academy Weekly Newsletter Vol. 1, Issue XXIII Synergy In this Issue: Obstacle course with Wangsel Institute| ​Sonam Chogyal, Jimi Pfinso and Tenzin Tshering(Grade IX) Dasho Sonam Kinga|​Jimmy Pelbar(Grade X) Space Engineer Mrs Yeshey Choden| ​Nendra Wangchuk A different life| ​Ugyen Tshering(Grade IX) Interview| ​Ambassador Ruchira Khamboj (Sangay Choden Grade X) Interview|​Ms Tashi Chenzom(Jamyang Ugyen Tshomo Grade X) September 15, 2019 Obstacle course with Wangsel Institute ​Sonam Chogyal, Jimi Pfinso and Tenzin Tsheringl(Grade IX) On Sunday we had a great time with the students from Wangsel. It was a first for all the students of The Royal Academy as we interacted with our differently abled friends from Wangsel. As the buses from Wangsel arrived we were very excited. We wanted to learn new things and show off what all we have learnt during our Friday learning experiences. The Wangsel students which are in class pp- three also joined the events taking place at our school. The smile on their faces were as bright as sun flower and the way they did the obstacle was in many ways far better than most of us as they always gave their one hundred percent which is in line with our school philosophy “ Be the best you can be”. September 15, 2019 We thoroughly enjoyed our day with them and found many new teamwork skills within us. Communicating with them taught us new things and it also strengthened our sign language skills. They gave it their best. We were able to share thoughts and ideas with them with ease after a few hours with them.
    [Show full text]
  • General Assembly Official Records Seventy-Fourth Session
    United Nations A/74/ PV.11 General Assembly Official Records Seventy-fourth session 11th plenary meeting Saturday, 28 September 2019, 9 a.m. New York President: Mr. Muhammad-Bande ................................. (Nigeria) In the absence of the President, identified for the general debate is relevant to me and Mr. Verdier (Argentina), Vice-President, took my country. the Chair. In order to narrow the gap, all our initiatives and decisions are focused on uplifting the poor. We The meeting was called to order at 9 a.m. are convinced that it is only through quality health care and relevant education that we can eradicate Agenda item 8 (continued) poverty in all its forms in the most sustainable General debate manner. Our Constitution mandates free health care and education for all Bhutanese. Although we are a Address by Mr. Lotay Tshering, Prime Minister resource-constrained country, our leaders have always of the Kingdom of Bhutan insisted on strengthening the social sector. It is an investment. As we all know, it is never an expenditure. The Acting President (spoke in Spanish): The I am happy to share that, in July, my Government made Assembly will now hear an address by the Prime teachers the highest-paid civil servants in Bhutan. Minister of the Kingdom of Bhutan. We aspire to motivate teachers and attract the best Mr. Lotay Tshering, Prime Minister of the Kingdom and the brightest to that noble profession. It is only of Bhutan, was escorted to the rostrum. through investment in teachers that we can bring about significant improvement in the quality of education.
    [Show full text]
  • 2020-Dnt.Pdf
    SL No Name CID No. Dzongkhag Date 1 Phuntsho Namgay 10102001212 Bumthang 6/30/2019 2 Dawa Gyeltshen 10204002820 Chhukha 6/30/2019 3 Buddha Maya Pradhan 11803000881 Chhukha 6/30/2019 4 Gopal Rai 10201000938 Chhukha 6/30/2019 5 Leki Tshewang 11306001267 Chhukha 6/30/2019 6 Tshewang Lhamo 10202000994 Chhukha 6/30/2019 7 Jai Bir Rai 10211004952 Chhukha 6/30/2019 8 Karma Nidup 10202000983 Chhukha 6/30/2019 9 Jurmi Wangchuk 10302002295 Dagana 6/30/2019 10 Dasho Hemant Gurung 10309001415 Dagana 6/30/2019 11 Yeshey Dem 10401000126 Gasa 6/30/2019 12 Tenzin 10403000446 Gasa 6/30/2019 13 Choki 10504000300 Haa 6/30/2019 14 Lham 10504001170 Haa 6/30/2019 15 Bidha 10504000260 Haa 6/30/2019 16 Sangay Lhadon 10503001162 Haa 6/30/2019 17 Ugen Tenzin 10502001486 Haa 6/30/2019 18 Dorji Wangmo 10504000304 Haa 6/30/2019 19 Sangay Wangmo 10601001527 Lhuentse 6/30/2019 20 Kinga Penjor 10601003230 Lhuentse 6/30/2019 21 Tumpi 10704001290 Mongar 6/30/2019 22 Tshewang 10716000347 Mongar 6/30/2019 23 Sithar Tshewang 10702001240 Mongar 6/30/2019 24 Dasho Sherab Gyeltshen 11410003114 Mongar 6/30/2019 25 Am Wangmo 10803000237 Paro 6/30/2019 26 Phub Tshering 10803000507 Paro 6/30/2019 27 Namgay Tshering 10807000770 Paro 6/30/2019 28 Ugyen Tshering 10802001958 Paro 6/30/2019 29 Phub Lham 11006000490 Punakha 6/30/2019 30 Trelkar 11001000668 Punakha 6/30/2019 31 Dasho Chagyel 11009000366 Punakha 6/30/2019 32 Nakiri 11002001272 Punakha 6/30/2019 33 Wangdi 11005001482 Punakha 6/30/2019 34 Passang Dorji 11411002872 Punakha 6/30/2019 35 Tshencho Wangdi 11008000025 Punakha 6/30/2019
    [Show full text]
  • COINAGE in BHUTAN Nicholas Rhodes
    COINAGE IN BHUTAN Nicholas Rhodes'" Introduction In Thimphu, and elsewhere in Western Bhutan, it is still possible to find many examples of the old copper coins, known as Matam, Chetam and Zangtam. Old silver coins can also be found, although less frequently. Very little, however, has been written about the background to these coins - who made them, where and when, and how they were used. The purpose of this article is to set out what I know about these old Bhutanese coins, not only to present the information more widely, but also in the hope that there will be people in Bhutan who will be encouraged to provide additional evidence from oral tradition, written records, or from any other sources. Elderly people may still be alive who remember such coins being struck, but unless their memories are recorded soon, the information will be lost forever. Before the 1950s, there were no urban communities in Bhutan, and coins only played a small part in the economy of the country, serving mainly as a store of value, and as ceremonial gifts or donations. Silver coins, usually foreign coins, also served as the raw material from which jewellery and "pan" boxes were made. Day to day life mainly involved subsistence farming, supplemented by barter. Taxes were paid either in kind or in services, and land rent was paid as a share of the produce, again in kind. Some insight into how coins were used in the old days can be obtained from Karma Ura's books, The Hero with a Thousand Nicholas Rhodes holds an MA in mathematics from Trinity College, Cambridge.
    [Show full text]
  • Third Parliament of Bhutan First Session
    THIRD PARLIAMENT OF BHUTAN FIRST SESSION Resolution No. 01 PROCEEDINGS AND RESOLUTION OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY OF BHUTAN (January 2 - 24, 2019) Speaker: Wangchuk Namgyel Table of Content 1. Opening Ceremony..............................................................................1 2. Question Hour: Group A- Questions to the Prime Minister, Ministry of Home and Cultural Affairs, and Ministry of Information and Communication..............................3 3. Endorsement of Committees and appointment of Committee Members......................................................................5 4. Report on the National Budget for the FY 2018-19...........................5 5. Report on the 12th Five Year Plan......................................................14 6. Question Hour: Group B- Questions to the Ministry of Works and Human Settlement, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Agriculture and Forests................................21 7. Resolutions of the Deliberation on 12th Plan Report.........................21 8. Resolutions of the Local Government Petitions.................................28 9. Question Hour: Group C: Questions to the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance, and Ministry of Labour and Human Resources....................................................33 10. Resolutions on the Review Report by Economic and Finance Committee on the Budget of Financial Year 2018-2019........................................................................................36 11. Question Hour: Group D: Questions to the
    [Show full text]
  • Nepal, Bhutan and Their Neighbours Two Himalayan Countries Landlocked Between India and China
    BRIEFING Nepal, Bhutan and their neighbours Two Himalayan countries landlocked between India and China SUMMARY Nepal and Bhutan are two poor landlocked Himalayan countries, sandwiched between a democracy and an authoritarian one-party state: India and China. After an authoritarian past, during the last decade, they have begun reforms in order to switch towards a democratic model. After a long and complicated path, Nepal succeeded in adopting a new constitution in 2015. Its first post-constitution government is run by an alliance of communist parties. In Bhutan, the king has successfully steered the country towards democratisation, as confirmed by the October 2018 general elections. While historically the two countries have nurtured solid relations with India, in recent years Beijing has expanded its footprint in the region considerably, challenging Delhi's traditional sphere of influence and increasing its sense of encirclement. In 2017 this led to a crisis referred to as the 'Doklam Plateau standoff'. There is currently a window of opportunity for Nepal and Bhutan to diversify their economic and security partnership and to rebalance their foreign policies between their two big neighbours. The EU has been supporting the two countries on their democratic journey and tripled resources for both countries' development for the 2014-2020 period. As they are among the world's poorest countries, Nepal and Bhutan benefit from the EU's 'Everything But Arms' scheme, which grants full duty free and quota free access to the EU single market for all
    [Show full text]