Simple directory > Regional > Bhutan

Country : Bhutan Official name: Druk-yul (The Kingdom of Bhutan) Head of State: Druk Gyalpo (Dragon King) Jigme Singye Wangchuk (since Jul 1972) Head of government: Prime Minister (Chairman of the Council of Ministers) Lyonpo Sangay Ngedup (took office 5 Sept 2005); the post is rotated annually among the ministers. Area: 47,000 square km Population: 2.22 million (2004) Capital: Thimphu Official language: Dzongkha Currency: Ngultrum (Nu) = 100 chetrums Exchange rate: Nu45.06 per US$ (Nov 2004) (pegged to Indian rupee) GDP per capita: US$287 (2003) GDP real growth: 6.50% (2003) Unemployment: 2.00% (2003) Inflation: 2.00% (2003) Balance of trade: -US$42.00 million (2003) Foreign debt: US$245.00 million (2003) Visitor numbers: 5,600 (2003) Annual FDI: US$2.00 million (2003)

Historical profile

1907 The first hereditary king was enthroned.

1910 The Anglo-Bhutanese Treaty was signed, granting the government of British India full control of Bhutan's foreign relations.

1949 India became independent and the 1910 treaty was re-negotiated. Bhutan became free to pursue its own foreign policy, although it agreed to seek India's advice.

1952 King Jigme Dorji Wangchuk was enthroned and established the Tsogdu (National Assembly) in 1953.

1958 The Lhotshampa population of the southern districts of Bhutan was granted Bhutanese citizenship and tenure of lands.

1965 The Lodoi Tsokde (Royal Advisory Council) was established.

1972 King Jigme Singye Wangchuk was enthroned.

1979 Bhutan supported China in preference to India at the UN, beginning a gradual reorientation of foreign policy away from India.

1987 Bhutan's Sixth Five Year Plan included a policy of `one nation, one people'. A code of traditional Drukpa dress and etiquette (Driglam Namzhag) was introduced. This led to discontent in the 1990s.

1990 The teaching of Nepali in schools was halted. Mass public demonstrations in southern Bhutan were held.

1998 King Wangchuk handed over full executive power to a Lhengye Zhungtshog (Council of Ministers).

1999 The King granted the Tsogdu the right to dismiss a reigning monarch. The WTO Working Party on Accession for the Kingdom of Bhutan was established.

2001 A draft constitution included proposals for a democratic system of government.

2002 The Ninth Five Year Plan (July 2002–June 2007) was drawn up to continue Bhutan's decentralisation process and promote 'Gross National Happiness'.

2003 The representative of the Kingdom of Bhutan to the WTO delivered the Memorandum on the Foreign Trade Regime, describing all aspects of Bhutan's economy and legal system and its compliance with WTO norms and requirements. A new government was installed on 10 July with Lyonpo Jigme Yozer Thinley as prime minister.

2004 After being chased away from Bhutan in December 2003, Indian insurgents entered Nepal and were reported to be working with Nepalese Maoists with a view to attacking Bhutan's royal palace. On 20 August, Lyonpo Yeshey Zimba took office as prime minister.

2005 A draft constitution was unveiled in April that aims to transform the country's absolute monarchy into a two-party democracy.

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