Background
In 1865, Britain and Bhutan signed the Treaty of Sinchulu, under which Bhutan would receive an annual subsidy in exchange for ceding some border land. In 1910, a treaty was signed whereby the British agreed not to interfere in Bhutanese internal affairs and Bhutan allowed Britain to direct its foreign affairs. This role was assumed by independent India after 1947. Two years later, a formal Indo-Bhutanese accord returned the areas of Bhutan annexed by the British, formalized the annual subsidies the country received, and defined India's responsibilities in defense and foreign relations. A refugee issue of some 100,000 Bhutanese in Nepal remains unresolved; 90% of the refugees are housed in seven United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) camps. In early 2007, India and Bhutan renegotiated their treaty to allow Bhutan greater autonomy in conducting its foreign policy. Democratic elections for seats to the country's first parliament were completed in March 2008.
The economy, one of the world's smallest and least developed, is based on agriculture and forestry, which provide the main livelihood for more than 60% of the population. Agriculture consists largely of subsistence farming and animal husbandry. Rugged mountains dominate the terrain and make the building of roads and other infrastructure difficult and expensive. The economy is closely aligned with India's through strong trade and monetary links and dependence on India's financial assistance. The industrial sector is technologically backward, with most production of the cottage industry type. Most development projects, such as road construction, rely on Indian migrant labor. Model education, social, and environment programs are underway with support from multilateral development organizations. Each economic program takes into account the government's desire to protect the country's environment and cultural traditions. Complicated controls and uncertain policies in areas such as industrial licensing, trade, labor, and finance continue to hamper foreign investment. Hydropower exports to India have boosted Bhutan's overall growth. New hydropower projects will be the driving force behind Bhutan's ability to create employment and sustain growth in the coming years.
Phone Codes
Country Code: 975
Outgoing International Code: 00
Resources
Market Research
CIA - The World Factbook - Bhutan
This website indicates a wide range of detail information about Bhutan by introducing under 8 different fields as its geography,people, government, economy, communications, transportation, military, transnational issues.
Bhutan - World Bank Group
In this website, it is available to find out a country brief, development data and country assistance strategy sponsored by World Bank Organization for Bhutan.
Trade in Bhutan
Asiatradehub offers not only a tradeleads directory for Brutan but also trade gallery of Bhutan, B2B business portals offers products from Asian Countries to world wide consumers.
U.S. Department of State - Bureau of Consular Affairs, Washington - Bhutan
The Consular Information Sheet for Bhutan provided by the US Consular Bureau aims to indicate database analysis about Bhutan's political, social & economic environment informing the US investors.
Trade Information
Bhutan Government Ministries
There is listed the government ministries of Bhutan including the opportunity of accession to their webpage portals.
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