In Chhukha, Bhutan Development Bank Limited’s decision to close its field office in Dungna Gewog has left locals concerned about their future financial access. Since opening about six years ago, BDBL’s field office has improved residents’ living standards in Dungna and Maedtekha Gewogs through its financial services. The Dungna field office serves five gewogs in Chhukha.
BDBL’s field office in Dungna Gewog opened in 2018. The field office has enabled individuals to save money, invest in businesses, and access credit, contributing to the community’s economic growth.
This year alone, the field office disbursed over Nu 10 M in loans.
Following the bank’s decision to close the office, local leaders have been writing to relevant agencies and individuals, seeking intervention to prevent its closure.
Pemba, Dungna Mangmi said “we are located away from town. If not for the field office, we have to reserve a vehicle to travel to Gedu to get a loan and other financial services. However, with the establishment of the Gewog Field Office, everything became convenient. It benefits not just the residents of Dungna but four other gewogs as well. So, we would be grateful, if the office continues to provide the services for the benefit of people.”
Passang, a resident in Dungna Gewog said “now, the procedures to avail loan are complex. For instance, if I am to get a loan, all my family members above the age of 18 have to go to the bank and sign in front of bank officials. If the BDBL field office here is closed, taking the whole family to Gedu to sign the documents would be expensive.”
“People here are all worried when we heard that the BDBL office in Dungna will shut down. It benefitted more than four gewogs. Given the road conditions here, it would be very challenging to travel to Gedu for the banking services, especially in summer,” said Passang, Maedtekha’s resident.
Kinley Dorji, another resident said “we could build houses and buy vehicles. It helped improve our living standards. Now, if the office here is shut down, we will have to travel to Gedu or Tsimasham and that will be very difficult for our people.”
Sources indicate that BDBL decided to close the Dungna field office due to low transaction volumes and a lack of profitability.
However, sources also suggest that system breakdowns and other issues in recent years, along with an increase in digital transactions, contributed to the decline in transactions at the field office.
According to locals, despite the low transaction volume, the bank’s other services, particularly loans, have greatly benefited them.
BBS reached out to the BDBL head office for comments, but they were unavailable.
Meanwhile, the community is leaving no stone unturned in their efforts to save the Dungna field office.
They remain hopeful that relevant authorities will consider their concerns, given that BDBL was established to promote rural prosperity through prompt, efficient, and effective financial services on a sustainable basis.
Kinley Dem, Chhukha
Edited by Phub Gyem
