The government’s nationwide Business Regulatory Process Review has highlighted growing concerns from the private sector over regulations that continue to hinder business growth. During the consultation in Thimphu, business representatives called for reforms to improve access to land, simplify licensing procedures, and review tourism-related policies, including the Sustainable Development Fee (SDF). The initiative forms part of a broader effort to review 955 regulatory instruments aimed at creating a more business-friendly environment and strengthening private sector investment.
The consultation also marked the launch of the Tourism Minimum Facilities Initiative under the TASHEL Framework, which seeks to improve tourism standards through better infrastructure, safety, hospitality, heritage conservation, and environmental stewardship. Participants stressed the need for greater flexibility in developing basic amenities at government-owned tourism sites and urged authorities to provide advance notice of new policies instead of making last-minute announcements. Several stakeholders also proposed a duration-based discount on the SDF to encourage longer visitor stays and increase tourism spending. Industry, Commerce and Employment Minister Namgyal Dorji said the concerns raised would be reviewed throughout the nationwide consultation, adding that more than 150 regulatory issues have already been addressed over the past two years to improve service delivery and the ease of doing business.