ADB's Work in Bhutan
ADB Membership
Joined 1982
Shareholding and Voting Power
Number of shares held:
660 (0.006% of total shares)
Votes:
39,774 (0.299% of total membership, 0.459% of total regional membership)
Overall capital subscription:
$9.13 million
Paid-in capital subscription:
$0.57 million
Bhutan is one of the fastest-growing economies in South Asia and has more than halved its poverty rate since 2007. However, the challenge remains for Bhutan to expand its economic base and make growth more inclusive, especially for unemployed youth and women. Developing a vibrant private sector is key to diversifying Bhutan’s economy, generating more broad-based growth, and creating sustainable jobs.
Bhutan's capital, Thimphu.
ADB has been supporting Bhutan since 1982, mostly concentrating its efforts on programs and projects in energy, transport, finance, and urban development.
Since 1982, ADB has committed loans totaling $564.06 million, grants of $269.22 million, and technical assistance worth $56.48 million for Bhutan. Cumulative loan and grant disbursements to Bhutan amount to $631.7 million. These were financed by regular and concessional ordinary capital resources (OCR), and the Asian Development Fund.
Bhutan is eligible for concessionary OCR lending. The country can also access additional Asian Development Fund grant and concessionary OCR lending from ADB’s disaster risk reduction mechanism to supplement projects.