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1 TRANSLATION OF THE PROCEEDINGS AND ... - APFA News

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The Royal Government continues to abide by a very prudent borrowing norms.<br />

The total outstanding debt is US$ 107.777 million and Rs.3,957.386 million.<br />

The Ministry of Finance would like to inform the members that these loans have<br />

been taken to finance important projects in the roads, power, urban<br />

infrastructure, education and agriculture for which grant aid was not<br />

forthcoming. The rupee loan is mainly on account of Chhukha, Tala and<br />

Kurichhu projects. We are confident that investment in these areas will<br />

contribute significantly to the socio-economic development of the country.<br />

The total debt service project for 2001-2002 is Nu. 316.8 million and the debt<br />

service ratio at about 6 percent. Our financial analysis shows that we can<br />

comfortably meet the debt servicing obligations. The Ministry of Finance will<br />

continue to carefully asess loan projects in order to ensure that these projects<br />

have sound financial and economic returns.<br />

Other initiatives<br />

The Department of Telecommunications has been corporatized to enhance<br />

efficiency and improve the quality of telecommunication services for the<br />

general public.<br />

We have also started the preliminary work to corporatize the utility functions of<br />

the Department of Power. This is to ensure that the services are efficiently run<br />

and financially sustainable.<br />

In order to rationalise costs and ensure the long-term sustainability of health<br />

care in Bhutan, user fees have been introduced for selected dental services. We<br />

would like to assure the honourable members that basic health care will<br />

continue to be provided free of cost.<br />

293

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