1. The opening ceremony of the “Annual Financial Management Workshop: Improving Public Service Delivery through Enhanced Fiscal Decentralization” was graced by the Hon’ble Finance Secretary on 20th December, 2017 at the Regional Revenue and Customs Office, Gelephu.
2. The three day annual workshop is exclusively for the Accounts Officers from all the budgetary agencies of the country.
3. The objective of this annual workshop is to bring together all key players in the Public Financial Management (PFM) and update knowledge on some of the new initiatives and development in the PFM system like, revised Financial Rules and Regulations 2016, PEMS, MYRB, RAMIS, e-Government Procurement System and e-Payment.
3. This platform will provide an opportunity to discuss and deliberate on the issues and challenges faced by the finance personnel while carrying out responsibilities and functions on daily basis in the field.
4. The Royal Civil Service Commission, Royal Audit Authority and the Office of Anti-Corruption Commission will also make a presentation to the participants during the course of training.
5. Around 100 accounts officers will participate the three day workshop from 20-22 December 2017. The annual workshop will conclude on 22nd December 2017.
The Ministry of Finance organized the award ceremony of the “2017 Dedicated Civil Service Awards” on 11th December 2017. Addressing the Award Ceremony by the Hon’ble Finance Secretary, he stated today’s civil service awards which was initiated by the government at the command of His Majesty the King reflects the recognition for distinguished contribution and unwavering hard work of all the recipients. He congratulated all of them
There were 170 recipients in MoF which includes;
1. Lifetime – 25;
2. 30 years and above (Gold Medal) – 28;
3. 20 years and above (Silver Medal) – 29; and
4. 10 years and above (Bronze Medal) – 88.
Merchang Ceremony
Honorable Finance Secretary addressing the Recipients
Honorable Finance Secretary with Lifetime Medal Recipients
Honorable Finance Minister with Lifetime Medal Recipient
Honorable Finance Secretary with Gold Medal Recipients
Honorable Finance Secretary with Silver Medal Recipients
Honorable Finance Secretary with Bronze Medal Recipients
The Hon’ble Finance Minister Lyonpo Namgay Dorji inaugurated the first Petroleum Oil and Lubricants (POL) Service Center today at Drakten Gewog in Trongsa on 18th November, 2017. The first Service Center is inaugurated in Drakten Gewog because the Gewog already has basic services in place. This Center is a joint initiative of Ministry of Economic Affairs and Farm Machinery Center Limited (FMCL), where Department of Trade provides technical support including facilitating issuance of Fuel in barrels and trade licenses while the FMCL is the implementing agency.
This Center provides the following services:
1. Sale of POL services,
2. Sale of basic agriculture tools, and
3. Repair and sale of farm machineries and spare parts.
The Service Center will save time and cost for the farmers to avail such services in the rural areas by bringing these services to their door steps.
A minimum of 200 liters of fuel will be distributed to the Gewogs to maximize the utilization of the Power Tiller and other services. Any excess will be sold to farmers as per the existing Government’s standards and regulations.
Basic agriculture tools and spare parts will be made available to the people to enhance agricultural activities. Farm machineries and agriculture tools will also be repaired in the Center.
To start with, the LPG will be distributed as mobile services from such Services.
The Government has provided adequate budget for the establishment of such Service Centers in all the Gewogs. Fourteen such Centers, where basic services already available, will be established on immediate basis.
The Government take this opportunity to thank and congratulate all stakeholders including Department of Trade and Regional Trade & Industries Offices of MoEA, FMCL, MoA, Trongsa Dzongkhag and Gewog Administrations who have put in so much efforts to establish this Center.
The POL Service Center in Drakten Gewog will benefit 600 Households.
PRESS RELEASE 2017 Annual Meetings of the World Bank Group and International Monetary Fund (13-15 October, 2017)
The 2017 Annual Meetings of the Board of Governors of the World Bank Group (WBG) and International Monetary Fund (IMF) was held in Washington, D.C., USA from 13-15 October, 2017. The Hon’ble Finance Minister, Lyonpo Namgay Dorji, in the capacity of the Board of Governors to the WBG, led the RGoB delegation.
The Board of Governors of the WBG and the IMF meet once a year to discuss the work of their respective institutions. The Annual Meetings bring together central bankers, ministers of finance and development, private sector executives, and academics to discuss issues of global concern including the world economic outlook, poverty eradication, economic development, and aid effectiveness. The meeting also features seminars, regional briefings, press conferences, and many other events focused on the global economy, international development, and the world’s financial system.
On the sideline of Annual Meetings, the RGoB delegation also held bilateral meetings with various donor agencies and senior management of the World Bank Group and IMF and discussed issues of mutual interest. The Hon’ble Finance Minister also had courtesy meeting with Ms. S Aparna Subramani, the Executive Director of the World Bank for India, Bangladesh, Bhutan and Sri Lanka who was recently appointed to the post.
En-route to Bhutan, the Hon’ble Finance Minister attended the RemitBhutan Review Meeting with the Royal Monetary Authority (RMA) delegation on 17th October, 2017 in New York. The Hon’ble Finance Minister also launched the RemitBhutan initiative in United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Kuwait on 19th and 21st October, 2017 respectively in collaboration with the RMA and the financial institutions (BoBL, BNBL, DPNBL, and TBank Ltd).
The opening Session of the 2017 Annual Meeting Plenary by the World Bank Group President Dr. Jim Yong Kim.
H.E. Lyonpo Namgay Dorji with the World Bank Vice President for South Asia Region, Ms. Annette Dixon on the sidelines of 2017 Annual Meetings of WBG/IM
The opening ceremony of the “Financial Management Training: Improving Public Service Delivery through Enhanced Fiscal Decentralization” was graced by the Hon’ble Finance Minister on 3rd October, 2017 at the Royal Institute of Management (RIM).
The four day training program is exclusively for the Accounts Assistants from all the budgetary agencies of the country.
The objective of this training program is to bring together all key players in the Public Financial Management (PFM) and update knowledge on some of the new initiatives and development in the PFM system like, revised Financial Rules and Regulations 2016, PEMS, MYRB, RAMIS, e-Government Procurement System and e-Payment.
This platform will provide an opportunity to discuss and deliberate on the issues and challenges faced by the finance personnel while carrying out responsibilities and functions on daily basis in the field.
The Royal Civil Service Commission, Royal Audit Authority and the Office of Anti-Corruption Commission will also make a presentation to the participants during the course of training.
Around 570 accounts assistant will participate the four day training program from 3-6th October 2017.
The training program will conclude on 6th October 2017.
Press Release Launching of Public Private Partnership (PPP) Policy 2016 & PPP Rules and Regulations 2017
The Public Private Partnership (PPP) Policy 2016 and PPP Rules and Regulations 2017 was officially launched by the Hon’ble Finance Minister on 15th September, 2017 in the Ministry of Finance, Tashichhodzong. This Rules and Regulations will contribute towards improving socio-economic development of the country.
The Royal Government of Bhutan recognizing the importance of investment in infrastructure to accelerate socio-economic development has embarked on promoting Public Private Partnership (PPP) as a key strategy for achieving sustainable economic growth. Considering the substantive role played by PPP in harnessing private sector investments and their operational efficiencies, the Government has approved the PPP Policy in 2016.
Public Private Partnership (PPP) is a long term arrangement between public and private sectors to leverage private sector resources and expertise in meeting the growing demand of infrastructure development, though shared risk and resources.
The PPP Policy 2016 provides a structured, transparent and institutionalized approach to PPPs – establishing uniform procedures across various sectors and ensuring fair and equal access to PPP projects. It covers all infrastructure and services that are affordable to the Government, end-users and represent Value for Money. Further, it supports the development of viable and feasible projects as PPPs that shall offer reasonable returns to the private sector, better service delivery options for the citizens, while protecting the Government from fiscal risks.
Accordingly, to operationalize the PPP Policy, the MoF formulated PPP Rules and Regulations 2017, in close consultation with key stakeholders with an objective to provide more specific guidance in designing and implementing PPP projects. These Rules and Regulations shall establish an enabling environment for private investors to participate in PPP projects with transparent and streamlined process.
These PPP Rules and Regulations shall be applied to all new projects being planned or solicited for development through the PPP model.
The Royal Government in order to effectively facilitate the implementation of PPP program has established a PPP Unit under the Department of Macroeconomic Affairs, Ministry of Finance in the Year 2016.
1. Hon’ble Finance Minister, Lyonpo Namgay Dorji launched the Official Credit Card for the budgetary bodies on September 8, 2017 at the Tashichhodzong, Thimphu.
2. The introduction of Official Credit Card for budgetary bodies is one of the many new initiatives undertaken by the Ministry of Finance to digitalize the payment systems. The objective of the Official Credit Card is to make the Government payments outside the country more convenient and efficient. Further, it is also aimed at supporting the Government’s initiative of moving towards cashless economy.
3. The Government payment outside the country using the Official Credit Card is expected to reduce the processing time and administrative costs as the transactions would be on real-time.
4. This will reduce the risk of carrying cash advances by officials on travel abroad and also it will facilitate in availing prompt services through the online payment system.
5. In the initial phase, the use of Official Credit Card will be piloted in selected budgetary bodies.
6. Based on the experience during the pilot phase, the Ministry of Finance will gradually implement the use of Official Credit Card in other budgetary bodies.
1. Hon’ble Finance Minister, Lyonpo Namgay Dorji launched the use of fuel card/debit card for Government pool vehicles using Wi-Fi Point of Sales (POS) on August 18, 2017 at Tashi Petroleum Distributor, Motithang, Thimphu.
2. The introduction of fuel card /debit card for Government pool vehicles is one of the many initiatives undertaken by the Ministry of Finance to digitalize the systems with the broad objectives to better manage the Government cash flows and to support the Government’s initiative of moving towards cashless economy.
3. This initiative is also to complement the Wi-Fi POS launched on 15th June, 2017 by the RMA in collaboration with the Bank of Bhutan Ltd. and the Department of Trade, MoEA for the use of Fuel Card/Debit Card for vehicles.
4. There are a total number of 2,195 pool vehicles across the Government agencies and about Nu. 300 million is provided for ‘maintenance of vehicles’ annually. Out of the total maintenance budget, about 70% of the budget is used for POL expenses.
5. This electronic system is expected to facilitate in proper monitoring of the usage of POL for all government pool vehicles and ultimately help to reduce the administrative burden to all government agencies.
6. In the initial phase, the use of fuel card/debit card will be piloted in selected government agencies for dedicated pool vehicles.
7. Based on the experiences during the pilot phase and also with the roll-out of POS by the banks in other Dzongkhags, the Ministry of Finance will gradually implement the use of POL fuel card/debit card in other budgetary bodies and Dzongkhags.
Background: Fiscal incentives (FI) generally refer to temporary exemption of taxes and duties or granting income tax holidays for boosting private sector development and attracting foreign direct investment (FDI) to achieve broader economic development goals. Fiscal incentives are targeted to sectors that have potential for growth, export and employment generation amongst others. As permitted by the existing laws, the Lhengye Zhungtshog approved series of tax incentives as follows:
1. Tax incentives and rules thereof 2002
As authorized by the Income Tax Act 2001, MoF announced the first set of comprehensive fiscal incentive in the form of Tax incentives and rules thereof on 13th September 2002 to stimulate private sector growth and employment generation. Tax incentives in the form of tax holidays were granted to manufacturing entities, IT and Vocational institutes, Hotels, schools and auto-mechanical workshop in the interior regions. Exemption from BIT/CIT on all export earnings in convertible currency by manufacturing industries, IT service industries and Agriculture produce exporters and 20% re-investment allowance for incorporated companies were also included. Under the same notification, export tax on cash crop was abolished with effect from 1st July 2002. The tax holidays were available for business units starting commercial operation between 1st Jan 2003 and 30th June 2007. Since FI 2002 expired on 30th June 2007, industries starting commercial operation between 1st July 2007 and 31st December 2009 were granted tax holidays with effect from 1st January 2010 for the remaining period only as per FI 2010.
Besides, indirect tax exemption on plant and machinery and raw materials have been provided as per the Rule No. 1.3 (Plant & Machinery) and Rule No. 1.4 (Raw Material) of the Rules on Sales Tax, Customs and Excise Act 2000 as authorized by Section 3, Chapter 2, Part I of the Sales Tax, Customs and Excise Act 2000.
2. Fiscal Incentives 2010
Based on the Economic Development Policy 2010, Fiscal Incentives 2010 was announced on 2nd April 2010. It was submitted to the 5th Session of the 1st Parliament on 25th June 2010 by way of information together with the National Budget Report for fiscal year 2010-2011. Additional list of items for exemption for hotel industry was approved in April 2013. Fiscal Incentives 2010 provided 56 incentives, of which 20 incentives expired as of Dec 2015 and 36 incentives are being continued under FI 2016.
Total estimated revenue forgone through the implementation of the Fiscal Incentives 2010 for the period 2010 to 2015 was around Nu. 4,893 million. This also includes Nu. 186.59 million on account of ST and CD exemption for Hotel industries granted from 17th April 2013 till 31st Dec 2015.
Total estimated revenue foregone from 1st Jan 2016 to 7th May 2017 through Sales Tax and Customs Duty exemptions on plant and machinery, raw materials, primary packaging materials and adventure tourism equipment which is valid until 31st December, 2019 as per Fiscal Incentives 2010 is around Nu. 1,104.68 million.
3. Fiscal Incentives 2016
Based on the Economic Development Policy 2016, the Government had approved the fiscal incentives 2016 with the objective to stimulate economic growth, foster private sector development and generate employment. The Fiscal Incentives 2016 was announced on 4th April 2017 with retrospective effect from 1st January 2016.
Fiscal Incentives 2016 includes tax holiday, reinvestment allowance, income exemption, exemption of tax deduction at source (TDS), additional expenditure deduction, tax rebate and sales tax and customs duty exemptions. There are 60 different types of incentives under FI 2016, of which 36 incentives are the continuation from the FI 2010 and 24 are new incentives (9 direct tax incentives & 15 indirect tax incentives). FI 2016 was submitted to the 9th Session of the 2nd Parliament along with the National Budget Report for FY 2017-18 by way of information.
The National Assembly, after lengthy deliberation on the Fiscal Incentives 2016, which was tabled as a report, resolved to process the Fiscal Incentives as a Money Bill. The Government, considering the long-term interest of the country and also to promote transparency for granting fiscal incentives, tabled the Fiscal Incentives Bill 2017 on 5th June 2017 which was accordingly passed by the Parliament. This has set the highest standard for granting fiscal incentives as a money bill in the future.
Since the Fiscal Incentives Bill 2017 will be effective from 8th May 2017, the Hon’ble Speaker stated that if the need arises, the Parliament could consider requesting the Supreme Court’s interpretation with respect to the issue of incentives granted prior to 8th May 2017. Total estimated revenue foregone for the period April 2010 to December 2015 was Nu. 4,893 million. Similarly the revenue forgone for the period 1st Jan 2016 till 7th May 2017 is Nu 1,147.04 million. Of which Nu.1,104.68 million pertains to FI 2010 and Nu. 42.36 million is on account of new incentives granted under FI 2017.
4. Benefits of FI 2010
Of the hotels that availed incentives, 76 hotels have already contributed Nu.581.38 million in terms of Sales Tax on sales of food, beverages, room and other hotel services for the period 2010 to 2015. Under direct tax, a total of 116 taxpayers availed tax holidays and under indirect tax, a total of 545 entities representing different sectors availed ST and CD exemptions under FI 2010 for the period 2010 to 2015. The total employment generated as on 31st December 2015 (cumulative) was 5649 jobs.
5. Review of tax exemption provisions
With the resolution to process fiscal incentives as money bill, the Lhengye Zhungtshog had decided to review all legal provisions which empowers the Government to grant fiscal incentives. In this connection Lhengye Zhungtshog had decided to submit the proposal for amending the following laws to the upcoming session of the Parliament as urgent bills:
1. Income Tax Act 2001: Chapter 3, Section 8, Part I and Chapter 3, Section 9, Part II states that “On satisfaction and in the public interest, the Ministry may grant exemption and tax holidays to certain companies and businesses”.
2. Sales Tax, Customs and Excise Act (STCEA) 2000: Chapter 2, Section 3.2 Part I states that “on the satisfaction and in the public interest, the Ministry of Finance may exempt a person from payment of Bhutan Sales Tax”. Chapter 3, Section 5.2 Part II states that “on the satisfaction and in the public interest, the Ministry of Finance may exempt a person from payment of Customs duty”.
3. Customs Act 2017: As per Chapter 6, Section 47 of the Customs Act of Bhutan 2017, recently passed by the Parliament (9th Session) states that “The Ministry may exempt a person from the payment of Customs Duty in accordance with:
The relevant international law, convention, covenants ratified by the Parliament;
Any other laws in force;
The social, environmental and economic policies of the Government.”
4. Any Act that has provision for tax exemption such as Civil Society Organization Act 2007, Religious Organization Act 2007, Parliamentary Entitlement Act etc.
Conclusion
For a developing economy, with limited domestic productive capacity, fiscal incentives will continue to play a pivotal role in strengthen economy by boosting private sector growth and attracting FDI. In view of the importance attached to the fiscal incentives, the Lhengye Zhungtshog decided that Fiscal Incentives must be processed as money bill as per resolution of the 9th session of second Parliament. In order to ensure that all laws are consistent with the decision, the Lhengye Zhungtshog has decided to propose the amendment of all the laws that empower the Government to grant fiscal incentives as urgent bills in upcoming 10th Session of the Parliament.
Furthermore, Lhengye Zhungtshog requests the Hon’ble Speaker of the Parliament to consider seeking the Supreme Court’s interpretation with respect to the issue of fiscal incentives granted prior to 8th May 2017.
With the submission of the Fiscal Incentives 2017 as money bill, the Government has paved the way for a Parliamentary debate in deciding the fiscal incentives to be granted. This is expected to ensure that fiscal incentives are provided in the priority sectors where there is potential for private sector growth, while eliminating potentials for vested interest and policy corruption.
Annual Performance Agreement signed between Hon’ble Prime Minister and Ministry of Finance.
The signing of Annual Performance Agreement for FY 2017-18 between the Hon’ble Prime Minister and Minister of Finance took place on 11th August 2017 at the Royal Banquet Hall.
The Annual Performance Agreement between the Hon’ble Finance Minister and the Finance Secretary and between the Finance Secretary and heads of Departments/division were also signed in presence of Hon’ble Prime Minister. Hon’ble Finance Minister highlighted some of the targets in the Ministry’s APA and reiterated Ministry’s commitment to achieve them.
Hon’ble Prime Minister commended the Ministry of Finance and its officials for working hard and achieving goals and objectives of the 11th FYP.
APA Signing with DNB Director & Finance Secretary
APA Signing with DMEA Director & Finance Secretary
APA Signing with DRC Director & Finance Secretary
APA Signing with DPA Director & Finance Secretary
APA Signing with DNP Director General & Finance Secretary
APA Signing with DoS Director & Finance Secretary
APA Signing with PPD & Finance Secretary
APA Signing with IA & Finance Secretary
APA Signing with CCA & Finance Secretary
APA Signing with AASBB & Finance Secretary
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