Bhutan lifts ban on furniture, alcohol import from India

Bhutan has decided to lift a ban on import of furniture and alcohol from India, saying the restrictions did not serve their intended purpose.
The decision to reverse the ban, which was imposed in 2012 in the wake of global financial crisis, was taken during a cabinet meeting here this week.
"Upon the recommendations of the multi-sectoral Task Force, the Lhengye Zhungtshog (the cabinet) agreed to lift the ban on furniture and alcohol in the spirit of renewing the bilateral trade agreement with India," an official statement said today.
"The multi-sectoral task force found the restrictions did not serve their intended purpose in the economy and were not in line with bilateral and regional trading arrangements," it said.

While the ban on alcohol and furniture would be lifted, the ban on import of vehicles will be decided later, it said.
In March 2012, the Central Bank of Bhutan adopted some measures to prevent the fall in rupee. As part of these measures, a ban was imposed on certain items, including alcohol and furniture.