Export has reduced drastically this year due to the global pandemic. According to the Economic Affairs Minister, the export has been affected due to lockdown in India and in the country as well.
Electricity, minerals such as silicon, gypsum and dolomite and boulders are some of the top commodities that are exported. And most of the commodities are exported to India.
“Firstly even if our country’s situation is good, the situation in India, especially the manufacturing industries were closed due to lockdown. So we do not have any means for export. And when India started easing the lockdown, then we had the lockdown which has affected the export,” said Loknath Sharma, the Economic Affairs Minister.
Meanwhile, some of the industries in the country in the self-containment area functioned during the lockdown. The government helped the export and import for the industries. The raw materials were also imported for the industries during the lockdown.
“Pasakha could function because the Ahlay road was opened separately whereby it is not at all connected with Phuentshogling and other areas. Even Motanga in Samdrup Jongkhar also does not have any access to Samdrup Jongkhar. The way is routed through India. That’s why these industries could function,” Lyonpo said.
Last year, the country exported commodities including electricity worth over Nu 41bn while imported about Nu 69bn worth of commodities.
“Our import exceeds export every year. And since the detection of COVID-19 in the country, the export has reduced by around 60-70 per cent. But before the lockdown, we exported some commodities. Even during the lockdown, in the second week, we could resume export,” Lyonpo added.
Lyonpo also said with less export it has an impact on the economy of the country.
Tshering Zam
