The National Assembly decided to withdraw the Enterprise Registration Bill, 2015, after the economic affairs minister, Norbu Wangchuk moved the motion, today.
The move comes after the National Council decided not to discuss the bill, earlier this month, with the members saying there were still many loopholes in the bill that needed to be addressed.
The National Council, after five months of research, had instead submitted written recommendations to the National Assembly.
Lyonpo Norbu Wangchuk said they had consulted with the relevant stakeholders, as opposed to what the National Council had said. The Upper House had said the bill lacked comprehensive consultations with relevant stakeholders.
“We consulted with Bhutan Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Department of Revenue and Customs, and Department of Medical Services, among others,” said the minister.
National Council’s recommendations also say there is a contradiction of objectives in the bill and lack of clarity on the implementation part.
“The National Council has accepted that the objectives of the bill are good,” said Lyonpo.
The National Council also mentioned delivering services through a single window is the duty of administration and does not fall within the realm of the enterprise bill.
The Prime Minister, Tshering Tobgay said he will support the National Council’s recommendations if it is more time, the Upper House needs, for deliberation of the bill.
“We have repeatedly discussed the bill in the cabinet. The National Assembly had discussed the bill for two sessions. NA has deliberated and worked well on this bill.”
The Speaker, Jigme Zangpo, going by the Rules and Procedures, decided the house will withdraw the bill. It will be re-introduced in the next session of the National Assembly.
Enterprise Registration Bill is to make economic system viable by providing business registration system and a separate legal entity.
Lyonpo Norbu Wangchuk said the bill, if passed, would formalize 98 percent of businesses in the country.
