Bhutan

To round off almost four decades of bilateral development cooperation, SDC supports Bhutan in its political transition to a parliamentary democracy. Continuing support of the democratic reforms and the strengthening of key institutions are the focus of the programme until its completion in 2016.

The Governance Programme supports the country in its political transition from an absolute monarchy to a parliamentary democracy. The long-standing partnership between Switzerland and Bhutan and Switzerland’s expertise in local governance and decentralisation give SDC a comparative advantage.

To build a direct and close partnership with the Royal Government of Bhutan and other partners in the country, Switzerland has opened a small Cooperation Programme Office in Thimphu in 2012. Maintaining a SDC presence in Bhutan facilitates the contact between Swiss and Bhutanese actors, strengthens the diverse existing partnerships and promotes the exchange of knowledge with regional competence centres in South and East Asia. It will also ensure that adequate attention is given to a smooth phasing-out process and the sustainability of the programmes after SDC leaves Bhutan in 2016.

Swiss International Cooperation	2011 mill. CHF	2012 mill. CHF	2013* mill. CHF

SDC
Bilateral development cooperation	3.07	2.78	3.80
Humanitarian aid	–	–	–
State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO)
Economic Cooperation and Development	–	–	–
Total SDC/SECO	3.07	2.78	3.80

Other Federal Offices
Total other Federal Offices	–	–	–

Cantons and municipalities	0.01	..	..

Total	3.08	2.78	3.80

* planned; total based on available data
SDC figures excluding program contributions to NGOs
.. = figures not available | – = nil or amount < 5'000 CHF

Governance
Supporting democratic reforms
From 2013–2016 SDC supports Bhutan in its efforts to sustain democratic reforms working towards three main aims:

Strengthening the core institutions of democracy at central and local levels to ensure checks and balances in the governance system and improve service delivery to citizens. This includes working with the judiciary and the Anti-Corruption Commission in Bhutan.
Fostering civil society and civic participation: men and women can voice their concerns and participate in public debate, policy formulation and decision-making.
Community forest management groups practice inclusive decision-making, offer a platform for better local governance and improve their livelihoods.

History of cooperation
Excellent reputation after four decades of support
Bilateral relations with Switzerland, which date back to the 1970s, when Bhutan was a largely isolated country, have been strong and amicable. After decades of support to the development of rural infrastructure, agriculture, forestry, education, health, rural enterprises, environment and culture, Switzerland enjoys an excellent reputation in Bhutan.

Background information Bhutan

Facts and figures

	Surface area
	Population
	Annual population growth rate (since 1990)
	Life expectancy at birth women / men
	Adult illiteracy rate: women / men
	Gross Domestic Product GDP per capita
	Percentage of population with less than 2 USD per day

38'390

0.738

1.7

69.3 / 65.4

2'346.3

km2

mill.

years

USD

.. = figures not available
Source: World Bank's World Development Indicators 2013

Background information Bhutan (BBC)

Local SDC contact address:

Bhutan (Thimphu)
Swiss Cooperation Programme Office Bhutan P.O. Box 1192 Langjophakha Thimphu - Bhutan
Phone	+975 2 32 85 70
Fax	+975 2 32 65 98
Email	matthias.meier@sdc.net / thimphu@sdc.net (12.2012)

Additional Information and Documents

Here, you will find more publications, links, documents and articles about Swiss development cooperation and humanitarian aid in this country.