To formalise the launching of volunteers programme in Bhutan by the Australian Government, an agreement was signed between Major General Vetsop Namgyel, Ambassador of Bhutan to India and Australia’s Ambassador to Bhutan Mr. Peter N. Varghese AO.
The agreement was signed at the Australian High Commission in New Delhi yesterday. According to a press release, the programme will begin with around eight volunteers with the initial focus on education and health. Each volunteer will work in Bhutan for a period of one to two years.
Australia’s current bilateral cooperation with Bhutan is centered on human resource development, mainly through scholarships.
Australia’s assistance to Bhutan has increased significantly in recent years, from 1 million Australian dollars in 2001 to an estimated 11.4 million Australian dollar in 2012-13.