Lyonchhen Tshering Tobgay met Dr. Oleg Chestnov, Asst. Director General of WHO

Lyonchhen Tshering Tobgay met Dr. Oleg Chestnov, Asst. Director General of WHO at the Gyalyong Tshogkhang this afternoon.

Extending a warm welcome to Dr. Chestnov, Lyonchhen conveyed that he was privileged to have his team visit Bhutan and said that it came with a clear indication of commitment WHO has toward Bhutan.

Lyonchhen and Dr. Chestnov discussed on promoting healthy lifestyles, creating awareness on the importance of physical exercise and educating people on the dire consequences of contacting non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Unhealthy diet, sedentary lifestyle, and consumption of alcohol and tobacco products were some of the main causes behind lifestyle diseases. Bringing about improvements in tertiary healthcare was also discussed.

PM was called on by the Ambassador of Switzerland to Bhutan, H.E. Mr. Linus Von Castelmur

October 7, 2014

Lyonchhen Tshering Tobgay was called on by the Ambassador of Switzerland to Bhutan, H.E. Mr. Linus Von Castelmur at the Gyalyong Tshogkhang on October 7, 2014.

The ambassador told Lyonchhen that Bhutanese-Swiss friendship is deeply cherished and valued by the Swiss Government. Mr. Castelmur emphasised on the ‘spirit of compromise’, which connects the two nations, and said that RGoB and the Swiss Government must build on positive association and tap the existing goodwill.

Mr. Castelmur and Lyonchhen discussed on furthering business to business and people to people contacts. Lyonchhen expressed his appreciation and thanked the ambassador for Swiss assistance in the 10th FYP and their commitment in the 11the FYP. Sectors such as education, judiciary, culture, rural infrastructure and renewable natural resources have seen positive benefits of Swiss assistance.

In 2015, Bhutan and Switzerland would be celebrating 30 years of diplomatic relations.

Press Release

Sub: Lyonchhen’s visit to ADB, Manila, Philippines

Lyonchhen Tshering Tobgay, visited ADB’s headquarters in Manila, Philippines on 5

September 2014 on the invitation extended by ADB President Takehiko Nakao.

During the visit, Hon’ble Lyonchhen met with the ADB Board colloquium and addressed

on Board Colloquium: “Three Decades of Development Partnership Between Bhutan and

ADB”. Hon’ble Lyonchhen thanked the Board for their support and the forum provided

an opportunity to clarify on some issues raised by the Board.

Hon’ble Lyonchhen also addressed ADB’s staff as part of its Eminent Speaker Forum on

“Bhutan’s Economic Vision: Prosperity for All” and highlighted on the Government’s

priorities in the areas of tourism, energy, small and cottage industries and mining.

During the visit, Lyonchhen also launched a book entitled “20th by 2020: Bhutan’s drive

for improved governance with the Royal Audit Authority and Anti-corruption

Commission”.

ADB President assured Bhutan of ADB’s continued support. He highlighted that ADB’s

2014-2018 Country Partnership Strategy for Bhutan approved in July 2014 will focus on

transport, energy, urban development, and finance. It will also continue to provide

technical assistance for skills development and water resource management. The newly

established ADB Resident Office in Bhutan is expected to deepen the relationship

between ADB and Bhutan. Hon’ble Lyonchhen thanked for ADB’s financial and

technical support and its contribution to Bhutan’s socio-economic development.

During the visit, Hon’ble Finance Minister, Lyonpo Namgay Dorji and ADB President

signed a loan and a grant agreement of $50.35 million for South Asia Sub regional

Economic Cooperation (SASEC) Road Connectivity Project.

Although the visit was brief, it was successful, as it has brought ADB and Bhutan closer

by Lyonchhen’s meeting with the Board and the senior management of the ADB and

provided an excellent opportunity to clearly spell out the priorities of the Government.

This should facilitate better cooperation and targeted development intervention by the

ADB based on the Government priorities.

The ADB is a multilateral development finance institution, which was established in

1966 with 67 member countries. ADB’s views and interests are represented by a Board of

Governors and Manila-based Board of Directors. There are 12 Board of Directors who

represent the 67 member countries of ADB. ADB’s vision is an “Asia and Pacific region

free of poverty”. Its mission is to help its developing member countries (DMCs)

substantially reduce poverty and improve the quality of life of their people.

Bhutan became a member of ADB in 1982 and is in the same constituency as

Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, Lao PDR, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan. Since joining

ADB in 1982, Bhutan had received $337.46 million through 29 loans, $135.39 million

for 9 grants, and $54.89 million for 129 technical assistance projects, as of the end of

2013. ADB is presently, Bhutan’s largest multilateral development partner.