The Prime Minister said the country is steadily recovering from the economic downturn triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic during the presentation of The State of the Nation report in the joint sitting today. The prime minister said that it is evident that the country is progressing, going by the increase in the GNH index over the years. He also said the Gelephu Mindfulness City will be pivotal in addressing the challenges brought about by migration in recent years.
The prime minister said the state of the country is fundamentally linked to the state of Gross National Happiness (GNH).
According to the Centre for Bhutan and GNH Studies’ 2022 GNH Index Results, a measure of the population’s overall well-being and happiness on a scale of 0 to 1, the GNH Index has increased from 0.743 in 2010 to 0.756 in 2015. Further, despite the challenges brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, in 2022 the GNH index increased to 0.781 said the prime minister.
He added that such a rise in the GNH Index is an indicator of the progress of GNH and the overall state of the country. The GNH index is usually published once every five years.
“Experiencing a rise in the GNH index during the pandemic is astonishing. This is all thanks to the selfless leadership and sacrifices of His Majesty The King, who was at the frontline of the fight against the disease. His Majesty’s relief Kidu programme and a series of support measures significantly cushioned the people of Bhutan from enduring substantial hardships.”
The prime minister also stated that about 64,000 Bhutanese, which is around nine per cent of the total population have migrated overseas so far is a pressing challenge to the country if the trend persists.
Further, he highlighted that the country’s economy has not yet fully recovered from the ravages of the COVID-19 pandemic. For this, he said those wishing to expand their businesses are unable to secure loans, and many are struggling to repay existing loans. This, he said has led to imports exceeding exports, a sharp decline in foreign reserves, and an increase in external debt.
“There is only one solution to addressing the aforementioned challenges: reviving and expanding our economy at the earliest. At the forefront of our strategies is the historic Gelephu Mindfulness City, conceived from His Majesty The King’s profound wisdom. The Gelephu Mindfulness City is a precious gift to the people of Bhutan that will ensure the nation’s present well-being and future security.”
Meanwhile, the prime minister called for all the citizens to collectively work towards ensuring the success of the Gelephu Mindfulness City. He said, additionally, all Bhutanese should actively work towards rebuilding the country’s economy, creating jobs and business opportunities, exploring income-generating initiatives, and raising salaries for the country’s workforce.
Kinzang Lhadon
Edited by Kipchu
