India has exempted essential commodities to Bhutan from export ban, according to a Commerce and Industry Ministry statement on Friday.
The Minister of Commerce, Industry and Textiles, Mr Anand Sharma, during his meeting with Mr. Lyonpo Khandu Wangchuk, the Minister for Economic Affairs of Bhutan, here on Friday, informed that the Director General of Foreign Trade has issued a notification exempting Bhutan from the application of export ban on milk powder, wheat, edible oil, pulses and non-basmati rice with annual limits indicated by the Bhutanese side.
Hydropower projects
Both leaders expressed satisfaction that progress in meeting the target of developing 10,000 MW of hydropower capacity in Bhutan by 2020 is on schedule. Bhutan has an estimated hydropower potential of 30,000 MW with a little over 1,472 MW harnessed. Three major hydroelectric power projects (HEPs) have been built with Indian assistance in Bhutan - 336 MW Chukha, 60 MW Kurichhu and 1020 MW Tala HEPs.