Zero-Covid Bhutan bans vehicle imports to stave off a Sri Lanka-style crisis

The tiny Himalayan nation is grappling with the effects of soaring commodity prices and a strict zero-Covid policy that bars foreign tourists
As of December, foreign exchange reserves had declined to US$970 million, from US$1.46 billion in April 2021, according to official data

Bhutan

Reutersin Kathmandu

Published: 9:08am, 22 Aug, 2022

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Bhutan will ban the import of all vehicles except utility vehicles, heavy earth-moving machines and agriculture machinery to save dwindling foreign exchange reserves, the government said in a notice seen by reporters.

Nestled between China and India, the country of fewer than 800,000 people is grappling with the effects of soaring oil and grain prices worsened by the war in Ukraine – as well as with the continued impact of the pandemic, including a strict zero-Covid policy that has barred foreign tourists for the past two years.

Foreign exchange reserves had declined to US$970 million at the end of December from US$1.46 billion in April 2021, according to data released last month by the Royal Monetary Authority of Bhutan.

Bhutanese people wearing face masks cross a street in Thimpu, capital of Bhutan. Photo: AP

The ministry of finance said in a notification that the import of utility vehicles costing less than 1.5 million ngultrums (US$18,750) would be allowed and those for the use and promotion of tourism would be exempted.

“The moratorium is implemented to ensure adequate foreign currency reserves for maintaining macroeconomic stability,” it said.

The daily Kuensel newspaper said Bhutan imported more than 8,000 vehicles in the year to June and that this was one of the main contributing factors to the depletion of reserves.

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Bhutan is mandated by its constitution to maintain reserves to cover at least 12 months of imports.

The government will review and amend the moratorium which went into effect on Friday in six months depending on the foreign currency reserve position, it said.

Bhutan’s troubles are reminiscent of fellow South Asian nation Sri Lanka, which is in the midst of its worst financial crisis in living memory resulting from the combined impact of the pandemic and economic mismanagement.

The island nation of 22 million people has been battling crippling shortages for months amid skyrocketing inflation and a devalued currency, as import of essentials including fuel and medicines have stalled for want of foreign exchange reserves.

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