Doing Business 2019 Bhutan Economy Profile Bhutan Page 1 Doing Business 2019 Bhutan Economy Profile of Bhutan Doing Business 2019 Indicators (in order of appearance in the document) Starting a business Procedures, time, cost and paid-in minimum capital to start a limited liability company Dealing with construction permits Procedures, time and cost to complete all formalities to build a warehouse and the quality control and safety mechanisms in the construction permitting system Getting electricity Procedures, time and cost to get connected to the electrical grid, and the reliability of the electricity supply and the transparency of tariffs Registering property Procedures, time and cost to transfer a property and the quality of the land administration system Getting credit Movable collateral laws and credit information systems Protecting minority investors Minority shareholders’ rights in related-party transactions and in corporate governance Paying taxes Payments, time, total tax and contribution rate for a firm to comply with all tax regulations as well as post-filing processes Trading across borders Time and cost to export the product of comparative advantage and import auto parts Enforcing contracts Time and cost to resolve a commercial dispute and the quality of judicial processes Resolving insolvency Time, cost, outcome and recovery rate for a commercial insolvency and the strength of the legal framework for insolvency Labor market regulation Flexibility in employment regulation and aspects of job quality Page 2 Doing Business 2019 Bhutan About Doing Business The Doing Business project provides objective measures of business regulations and their enforcement across 190 economies and selected cities at the subnational and regional level. The Doing Business project, launched in 2002, looks at domestic small and medium-size companies and measures the regulations applying to them through their life cycle. Doing Business captures several important dimensions of the regulatory environment as it applies to local firms. It provides quantitative indicators on regulation for starting a business, dealing with construction permits, getting electricity, registering property, getting credit, protecting minority investors, paying taxes, trading across borders, enforcing contracts and resolving insolvency. Doing Business also measures features of labor market regulation. Although Doing Business does not present rankings of economies on the labor market regulation indicators or include the topic in the aggregate ease of doing business score or ranking on the ease of doing business, it does present the data for these indicators. By gathering and analyzing comprehensive quantitative data to compare business regulation environments across economies and over time, Doing Business encourages economies to compete towards more efficient regulation; offers measurable benchmarks for reform; and serves as a resource for academics, journalists, private sector researchers and others interested in the business climate of each economy. In addition, Doing Business offers detailed subnational reports, which exhaustively cover business regulation and reform in different cities and regions within a nation. These reports provide data on the ease of doing business, rank each location, and recommend reforms to improve performance in each of the indicator areas. Selected cities can compare their business regulations with other cities in the economy or region and with the 190 economies that Doing Business has ranked. The first Doing Business report, published in 2003, covered 5 indicator sets and 133 economies. This year’s report covers 11 indicator sets and 190 economies. Most indicator sets refer to a case scenario in the largest business city of each economy, except for 11 economies that have a population of more than 100 million as of 2013 (Bangladesh, Brazil, China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Mexico, Nigeria, Pakistan, the Russian Federation and the United States) where Doing Business also collected data for the second largest business city. The data for these 11 economies are a population-weighted average for the 2 largest business cities. The project has benefited from feedback from governments, academics, practitioners and reviewers. The initial goal remains: to provide an objective basis for understanding and improving the regulatory environment for business around the world. More about Doing Business (PDF, 5MB) Page 3 Doing Business 2019 Bhutan Ease of Doing Business in Region South Asia DB 2019 Rank 190 1 Bhutan Income Category Lower middle income 81 DB 2019 Ease of doing business score Population 807,610 0 100 City Covered Thimphu 66.08 DB 2019 Ease of Doing Business Score 0 100 78.45: Thailand (Rank: 27) 73.64: China (Rank: 46) 67.23: India (Rank: 77) 66.08: Bhutan (Rank: 81) 56.71: Regional Average (South Asia) 54.43: Maldives (Rank: 139) Note: The ease of doing business score captures the gap of each economy from the best regulatory performance observed on each of the indicators across all economies in the Doing Business sample since 2005. An economy’s ease of doing business score is reflected on a scale from 0 to 100, where 0 represents the lowest and 100 represents the best performance. The ease of doing business ranking ranges from 1 to 190. Rankings on Doing Business topics - Bhutan 1 15 28 28 28 54 55 73 88 85 82 91 Rank 109 125 136 163 168 190 Starting Dealing Getting Registering Getting Protecting Paying Trading Enforcing Resolving a with Electricity Property Credit Minority Taxes across Contracts Insolvency Business Construction Investors Borders Permits Ease of Doing Business Score on Doing Business topics - Bhutan 100 94.25 89.28 86.38 80 77.39 72.99 68.85 69.99 Score 60 55.00 46.67 40 20 0.00 0 Starting Dealing Getting Registering Getting Protecting Paying Trading Enforcing Resolving a with Electricity Property Credit Minority Taxes across Contracts Insolvency Business Construction Investors Borders Permits Page 4 Doing Business 2019 Bhutan Starting a Business This topic measures the number of procedures, time, cost and paid-in minimum capital requirement for a small- to medium-sized limited liability company to start up and formally operate in each economy’s largest business city. To make the data comparable across 190 economies, Doing Business uses a standardized business that is 100% domestically owned, has start-up capital equivalent to 10 times the income per capita, engages in general industrial or commercial activities and employs between 10 and 50 people one month after the commencement of operations, all of whom are domestic nationals. Starting a Business considers two types of local limited liability companies that are identical in all aspects, except that one company is owned by 5 married women and the other by 5 married men. The ranking of economies on the ease of starting a business is determined by sorting their scores for starting a business. These scores are the simple average of the scores for each of the component indicators. The most recent round of data collection for the project was completed in May 2018. See the methodology for more information. What the indicators measure Case study assumptions Procedures to legally start and formally operate To make the data comparable across economies, several assumptions about the a company (number) business and the procedures are used. It is assumed that any required information is readily available and that the entrepreneur will pay no bribes. • Preregistration (for example, name verification or reservation, notarization) The business: • Registration in the economy’s largest business - Is a limited liability company (or its legal equivalent). If there is more than one type city of limited liability company in the economy, the most common among domestic firms • Postregistration (for example, social security is chosen. Information on the most common form is obtained from incorporation registration, company seal) lawyers or the statistical office. - Operates in the economy’s largest business city. For 11 economies the data are • Obtaining approval from spouse to start a also collected for the second largest business city. business or to leave the home to register the - The entire office space is approximately 929 square meters (10,000 square feet). company - Is 100% domestically owned and has five owners, none of whom is a legal entity; • Obtaining any gender specific document for has a start-up capital of 10 times income per capita and has a turnover of at least company registration and operation or national 100 times income per capita. identification card - Performs general industrial or commercial activities, such as the production or sale of goods or services to the public. The business does not perform foreign trade Time required to complete each procedure activities and does not handle products subject to a special tax regime, for example, (calendar days) liquor or tobacco. It does not use heavily polluting production processes. • Does not include time spent gathering - Leases the commercial plant or offices and is not a proprietor of real estate and the information amount of the annual lease for the office space is equivalent to the income per capita. • Each procedure starts on a separate day (2 - Does not qualify for investment incentives or any special benefits. procedures cannot start on the same day) - Has at least 10 and up to 50 employees one month after the commencement of • Procedures fully completed online are recorded operations, all of whom are domestic nationals. as ½ day - Has a company deed that is 10 pages long. • Procedure is considered completed once final The owners: document is received - Have reached the legal age of majority. If there is no legal age of majority, they are • No prior contact with officials assumed to be 30 years old. Cost required to complete each procedure (% of - Are sane, competent, in good health and have no criminal record. income per capita) - Are married and the marriage is monogamous and registered with the authorities. - Where the answer differs according to the legal system applicable to the woman or • Official costs only, no bribes man in question (as may be the case in economies where there is legal plurality), the • No professional fees unless services required by answer used will be the one that applies to the majority of the population. law or commonly used in practice Paid-in minimum capital (% of income per capita) • Funds deposited in a bank or with third party before registration or up to 3 months after incorporation Page 5 Doing Business 2019 Bhutan Starting a Business - Bhutan Standardized Company Legal form Limited Liability Company Paid-in minimum capital requirement BTN 0 City Covered Thimphu Indicator Bhutan South Asia OECD high Best Regulatory income Performance Procedure – Men (number) 8 7.6 4.9 1 (New Zealand) Time – Men (days) 12 13.7 9.3 0.5 (New Zealand) Cost – Men (% of income per capita) 3.5 11.0 3.1 0.0 (Slovenia) Procedure – Women (number) 8 7.8 4.9 1 (New Zealand) Time – Women (days) 12 13.9 9.3 0.5 (New Zealand) Cost – Women (% of income per capita) 3.5 11.0 3.1 0.0 (Slovenia) Paid-in min. capital (% of income per capita) 0.0 0.2 8.6 0.0 (117 Economies) Figure – Starting a Business in Bhutan and comparator economies – Ranking and Score DB 2019 Starting a Business Score 0 100 93.52: China (Rank: 28) 92.72: Thailand (Rank: 39) 89.17: Maldives (Rank: 71) 86.38: Bhutan (Rank: 91) 85.44: Regional Average (South Asia) 80.96: India (Rank: 137) Note: The ranking of economies on the ease of starting a business is determined by sorting their scores for starting a business. These scores are the simple average of the scores for each of the component indicators. Page 6 Doing Business 2019 Bhutan Figure – Starting a Business in Bhutan – Procedure, Time and Cost Time (days) Cost (% of income per capita) 12 1.8 1.6 Cost (% of income per capita) 10 1.4 8 1.2 Time (days) 1 6 0.8 4 0.6 0.4 2 0.2 0 0 1 *2 3 4 5 6 7 *8 Procedures (number) * This symbol is shown beside procedure numbers that take place simultaneously with the previous procedure. Note: Online procedures account for 0.5 days in the total time calculation. For economies that have a different procedure list for men and women, the graph shows the time for women. For more information on methodology, see the Doing Business website (http://doingbusiness.org/en/methodology). For details on the procedures reflected here, see the summary below. Page 7 Doing Business 2019 Bhutan Details – Starting a Business in Bhutan – Procedure, Time and Cost No. Procedures Time to Complete Associated Costs 1 Conduct a company name search 1 to 3 days BTN 1,000 Agency : Company Registry Division - Ministry of Economic Affairs The entrepreneurs submit a company name search application to verify the uniqueness of the desired company name. The rules for permitted company name is defined by the Chapter 5 of the Companies Act, 2016. No company shall be incorporated with a name which, in the opinion of the Registrar, is undesirable or is identical with, or too nearly resembles the name by which a company in existence has been previously registered. Preliminary search of availability of the name can be done online at http://www.cra.gov.bt/searchCompanyName . There is an option to conduct name search and approval online, however, the majority of promoters prefer to do this in person. Name search is free of charge, and after approval it is possible to reserve the name at a fee of Nu. 1,000. 2 Obtain a Security Clearance Certificate (SCC) from the Royal Bhutan Police 1 day (simultaneous no charge Agency : Royal Bhutan Police with previous In June 2011, The Ministry of Home and Cultural Affairs launched the Security procedure) Clearance Service: an online system to issue Security Clearance Certificates (SCC). The system was developed in coordination with the Department of Information Technology and Telecom at the Ministry of Industry and Commerce in response to the directives issued by the Bhutan Cabinet on March 27, 2009. The security clearance certificate is valid for one year. It is possible to request SCC online at www.sec.rbp.bt. The SCC clearance given by Ministry of home is now integrated with online single window registry system and verification of a persons SCC status can be availed simultaneously with company registration through online portal of Office of the Registrar (www.cra.gov.bt). 3 Submit project proposal to the Industrial Department Division (IDD) of the 4 days BTN 600 Ministry of Economic Affairs Agency : Industrial Department Division (IDD) of the Ministry of Economic Affairs An application form along with the project proposal is submitted to the Industrial Department Division (IDD) of the Ministry of Economic Affairs. In the case of small and cottage-scale companies with startup capital of up to BTN 10 million, the Regional Trade & Industry Office of the Department of Cottage and Small Industries reviews the project proposal. The project proposal approval is required to verify that the proposed industrial project is in line with industrial development plans of the country, and for issuance of the industrial license. The Doing Business case-study does not need location or environmental clearance. Online services of the Department of Cottage and Small Industry were introduced at https://www.citizenservices.gov.bt/moea-services. After submitting the project proposal online, it may be requested to follow-up in person in order to submit additional documents or provide further clarifications. 4 Register at the Office of the Registrar 2 days BTN 1,500 Agency : Regulatory Authority for Companies - Ministry of Economic Affairs Company registration is subject to the Companies Act, 2006. Upon applying for registration, the entrepreneur must present his/her original citizenship identity card and submit the following documents to the Regulatory Authority for Companies: 1. Articles of Incorporation 2. Company name clearance form 3. Consent to act as Directors of the company form 4. Declaration of compliance form signed by the company directors 5. Sectoral clearance from the concerned sectors (if applicable) 6. Name and Address of the first Chief Executive Officer of the company 7. Security Clearance Certificates of company directors The company receives its certificate of incorporation. Once the documents are processed, the Registrar of Companies issues the certificate of registration. The registered company may choose to publish a notice in the Kuensel weekly newspaper announcing its registration. Registration fees are as follows: - For an authorized share capital up to BTN 1 million: BTN 1,000 - For an authorized share capital between BTN 1 million and BTN 2 million: BTN 1,500 - For authorized share capital above BTN 2 million: BTN 2,000 Page 8 Doing Business 2019 Bhutan 5 Obtain a business license from the Regional Trade and Industry Office of 1 to 2 days BTN 3,100 the Ministry of Economic Affairs Agency : Regional Trade and Industry Office To apply for the license, the following documents must be submitted: 1- Application Form for Industrial License (Form III) 2- Citizenship ID Card 3- Sector Clearance (depending on activity) 4- Location Clearance obtained from the Thimphu City Corporation (Dzongkhag or Thromde) 5- Valid Security Clearance Certificate 6- Two recent passport size photographs 7- Project Approval from the Department of Cottage & Small Industry for cottage and small industries and from the Department of industry for medium and large scale industries. License fees are as follows: - For cottage scale industries: BTN 1,600 - For small scale industries: BTN 3,100 - For medium scale industries: BTN 6,100 - For large scale industries: BTN 12,100 Cottage industries are those industries with an investment of less than Nu.1 million and engaging up to 4 people. Small industries are undertakings engaging between 5 and 19 employees with investment from Nu.1 to Nu.10 million. Medium industries employ between 20 to 99 people with investment from Nu.10 to Nu.100 million and large industries are undertakings with an investment of more than Nu.100 million employing 100 or more employees. Where there is a conflict, investment will take precedence over employment in defining the scale of business. Since July 1, 2005, applications forms for trade and industrial licenses can be downloaded from the Ministry of Trade and Industry’s website (www.moea.gov.bt). Photocopies of application forms are accepted. Online licensing portal of the government was launched at https://www.citizenservices.gov.bt/moea-services. However, the majority of entrepreneurs prefer to perform the procedure in person. 6 Register for taxes and obtain the Business Identifier Code (BIC) Number 1 day no charge Agency : Department of Revenue and Customs, Ministry of Finance Every company must register for corporate income tax. A Business Identification Code (BIC, also called TPN) is then assigned to the company. This BIC number must be presented to participate in public tenders and works. On January 1, 2015, the Department of Revenue and Customs has launched an online platform RAMIS (available at drc.gov.bt), which can be used to register for income tax and obtain BIC. However, the majority of entrepreneurs prefers to perform registration in person. 7 Make a company seal 1 day BTN 100 to BTN Agency : Seal maker 1,200 According to Section 225 of the Companies Act, 2016, companies may have a common seal. The company seal is required to open a bank account. 8 Open a bank account 1 day (simultaneous no charge Agency : Commercial Bank with previous Majority of companies open the bank account as soon as they register. Company procedure) shall submit the bank account details to the Department of Revenue and Customs. Takes place simultaneously with previous procedure. Page 9 Doing Business 2019 Bhutan Dealing with Construction Permits This topic tracks the procedures, time and cost to build a warehouse—including obtaining necessary the licenses and permits, submitting all required notifications, requesting and receiving all necessary inspections and obtaining utility connections. In addition, the Dealing with Construction Permits indicator measures the building quality control index, evaluating the quality of building regulations, the strength of quality control and safety mechanisms, liability and insurance regimes, and professional certification requirements. The most recent round of data collection was completed in May 2018. See the methodology for more information What the indicators measure Case study assumptions Procedures to legally build a warehouse To make the data comparable across economies, several assumptions about the (number) construction company, the warehouse project and the utility connections are used. • Submitting all relevant documents and obtaining The construction company (BuildCo): all necessary clearances, licenses, permits and certificates - Is a limited liability company (or its legal equivalent) and operates in the economy’s largest business city. For 11 economies the data are also collected for the second • Submitting all required notifications and receiving largest business city. all necessary inspections - Is 100% domestically and privately owned; has five owners, none of whom is a • Obtaining utility connections for water and legal entity. Has a licensed architect and a licensed engineer, both registered with sewerage the local association of architects or engineers. BuildCo is not assumed to have any other employees who are technical or licensed experts, such as geological or • Registering and selling the warehouse after its topographical experts. completion - Owns the land on which the warehouse will be built and will sell the warehouse Time required to complete each procedure upon its completion. (calendar days) The warehouse: • Does not include time spent gathering - Will be used for general storage activities, such as storage of books or stationery. information - Will have two stories, both above ground, with a total constructed area of • Each procedure starts on a separate day— approximately 1,300.6 square meters (14,000 square feet). Each floor will be 3 though procedures that can be fully completed meters (9 feet, 10 inches) high and will be located on a land plot of approximately online are an exception to this rule 929 square meters (10,000 square feet) that is 100% owned by BuildCo, and the • Procedure is considered completed once final warehouse is valued at 50 times income per capita. document is received - Will have complete architectural and technical plans prepared by a licensed architect. If preparation of the plans requires such steps as obtaining further • No prior contact with officials documentation or getting prior approvals from external agencies, these are counted as procedures. Cost required to complete each procedure (% of - Will take 30 weeks to construct (excluding all delays due to administrative and income per capita) regulatory requirements). • Official costs only, no bribes The water and sewerage connections: Building quality control index (0-15) - Will be 150 meters (492 feet) from the existing water source and sewer tap. If there • Quality of building regulations (0-2) is no water delivery infrastructure in the economy, a borehole will be dug. If there is no sewerage infrastructure, a septic tank in the smallest size available will be • Quality control before construction (0-1) installed or built. • Quality control during construction (0-3) - Will have an average water use of 662 liters (175 gallons) a day and an average • Quality control after construction (0-3) wastewater flow of 568 liters (150 gallons) a day. Will have a peak water use of 1,325 liters (350 gallons) a day and a peak wastewater flow of 1,136 liters (300 • Liability and insurance regimes (0-2) gallons) a day. • Professional certifications (0-4) - Will have a constant level of water demand and wastewater flow throughout the year; will be 1 inch in diameter for the water connection and 4 inches in diameter for the sewerage connection. Page 10 Doing Business 2019 Bhutan Dealing with Construction Permits - Bhutan Standardized Warehouse Estimated value of warehouse BTN 9,778,001.10 City Covered Thimphu Indicator Bhutan South Asia OECD high Best Regulatory income Performance Procedures (number) 21 15.2 12.7 None in 2017/18 Time (days) 150 165.5 153.1 None in 2017/18 Cost (% of warehouse value) 1.0 13.2 1.5 None in 2017/18 Building quality control index (0-15) 12.0 9.2 11.5 15.0 (3 Economies) Figure – Dealing with Construction Permits in Bhutan and comparator economies – Ranking and Score DB 2019 Dealing with Construction Permits Score 0 100 73.81: India (Rank: 52) 73.00: Maldives (Rank: 62) 71.86: Thailand (Rank: 67) 68.85: Bhutan (Rank: 88) 65.16: China (Rank: 121) 61.85: Regional Average (South Asia) Note: The ranking of economies on the ease of dealing with construction permits is determined by sorting their scores for dealing with construction permits. These scores are the simple average of the scores for each of the component indicators. Figure – Dealing with Construction Permits in Bhutan – Procedure, Time and Cost Time (days) Cost (% of warehouse value) 1 140 Cost (% of warehouse value) 120 0.8 100 Time (days) 0.6 80 60 0.4 40 0.2 20 0 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 * 20 21 Procedures (number) * This symbol is shown beside procedure numbers that take place simultaneously with the previous procedure. Note: Online procedures account for 0.5 days in the total time calculation. For economies that have a different procedure list for men and women, the graph shows the time for women. For more information on methodology, see the Doing Business website (http://doingbusiness.org/en/methodology). For details on the procedures reflected here, see the summary below. Page 11 Doing Business 2019 Bhutan Figure – Dealing with Construction Permits in Bhutan and comparator economies – Measure of Quality 15 14.0 12.0 11.1 11.0 Index score 10 9.2 7.0 5 0 Bhutan China India Maldives Thailand South Asia Details – Dealing with Construction Permits in Bhutan – Procedure, Time and Cost No. Procedures Time to Complete Associated Costs 1 Request and obtain an official site plan 5 days BTN 100 Agency : Thimphu Thromde After a fee is paid, the official site plan is obtained from the survey section of the City Corporation. 2 Request and obtain building permit 90 days BTN 86,022 Agency : Thimphu Thromde (Architecture Section) During stage 1 of the approval process, the company must submit a duly completed form to the architecture section of the Thimphu Thromde (City Corporation), along with the following: i. Latest Plot/Land Ownership Certificate ii. Latest/re-validated official site plan issued by Urban Planning Division of Thimphu Thromde ii. Certificate of the Architect and design engineers and Construction Development Board (CDB) registration number of the design Architect iv. Three sets of Architectural drawings (A3 size) drawn to a suitable scale v. Three sets of Structural drawings (A3 size) vi. Three sets of Electrical drawings (A3 size) vii. Three sets of Sanitary/Sewerage drawings (A3 size) viii. Three sets of Plumbing/Water supply drawings (A3 size) ix. Three sets of Utility (Telephone/Internet) drawings (A3 size) x. Three sets of Drainage drawings (A3 size) During stage 2 the architecture section will undergo a planning check with the structural, electrical, sewerage, and water supply sections. Although this is an internal process carried out by the City Corporation, not the company, BuildCo must follow up to ensure progress. During stage 3, the Head of the Architecture Section receives the proposal with recommendations and findings for final approval. As with stage 2, BuildCo must follow up on the progress of this internal process. The cost is the following: • Amenities fee: 1. Residential and institutional building: BTN 30.00 per sq. m. 2. Commercial and industrial building: BTN 50.00 per sq. m. • Scrutiny fee: BTN 3,000.00 or BTN 16.14 per sq. m. (the greater of). 3 Notify the Municipality of the beginning of construction 1 day no charge Agency : Thimphu Thromde BuildCo must pick up its construction permit. A preconstruction site inspection must be requested in writing. Upon starting construction, the company notifies the City Corporation in writing. 4 Receive pre-construction inspection 1 day no charge Agency : Thimphu Thromde (Building Section) Upon BuildCo’s request to the City Corporation’s building section, the building inspector conducts a site inspection. Afterwards, routine inspections occur every 3 weeks. If the work is not conducted according to plan, the City Corporation issues a notice to rectify the process. If the company does not comply with the first notice, the utility company disconnects service. If the company does not comply with the third notice, the structure will be demolished (in the presence of a building inspector, engineer, architect, surveyor, and police personnel). Page 12 Doing Business 2019 Bhutan 5 Request water connection and inspection 1 day BTN 3,200 Agency : Thimphu Thromde To obtain a water connection, BuildCo must submit an application to the building section of the City Corporation and pay a connection fee of BTN 3,200.00 for a 1.5 inch pipe to the revenue section of the water company. 6 Receive inspection of water connection 1 day no charge Agency : Thimphu Thromde (Building Section) All connections must be verified in advance to check whether they comply with water and sanitation rules. The wait time is about 7 -- 9 days. 7 Receive excavation work inspection 1 day no charge Agency : Thimphu Thromde Excavation work is inspected about 3 weeks after the previous inspection. Thus, Buildco does not have to request an inspection. Moreover, BuildCo does not need to stop work during inspection. However, it must provide the inspector with transportation to the site. 8 Receive foundation work inspection 1 day no charge Agency : Thimphu Thromde Foundation work is inspected about 3 weeks after the previous inspection. Thus, BuildCo does not have to request an inspection. Moreover, BuildCo does not need to stop work during the inspection. However, it must provide the inspector with transportation to the site. 9 Receive ground floor inspection 1 day no charge Agency : Thimphu Thromde The ground floor work is inspected about 3 weeks after the previous inspection. Thus, BuildCo does not have to request an inspection. Moreover, BuildCo does not need to stop work during the inspection. However, it must provide the inspector with transportation to the site. 10 Receive drainage inspection 1 day no charge Agency : Thimphu Thromde Drainage work is inspected about 3 weeks after the previous inspection. Thus, BuildCo does not have to request an inspection. Moreover, BuildCo Company does not need to stop work during the inspection. However, it must provide the inspector with transportation to the site. 11 Receive first floor inspection 1 day no charge Agency : Thimphu Thromde The first floor work is inspected about 3 weeks after the previous inspection. Thus, BuildCo does not have to request an inspection. Moreover, BuildCo does not need to stop work during the inspection. However, it must provide the inspector with transportation to the site. 12 Receive second floor inspection 1 day no charge Agency : Thimphu Thromde The second floor work is inspected about 3 weeks after the previous inspection. Thus, BuildCo does not have to request an inspection. Moreover, BuildCo does not need to stop work during the inspection. However, it must provide the inspector with transportation to the site. 13 Receive sanitary inspection 1 day no charge Agency : Thimphu Thromde Sanitary conditions are inspected about 3 weeks after the previous inspection. Thus, BuildCo does not have to request an inspection. Moreover, BuildCo does not need to stop work during the inspection. However, it must provide the inspector with transportation to the site. 14 Receive fire inspection 1 day no charge Agency : Fire Department Fire conditions are inspected about 3 weeks after the previous inspection. Thus, BuildCo does not have to request an inspection. Moreover, BuildCo does not need to stop work during the inspection. However, it must provide the inspector with transportation to the site. 15 Receive structure inspection 1 day no charge Agency : Thimphu Thromde 16 Receive inspection of the building surroundings 1 day no charge Agency : Thimphu Thromde 17 Notify building controller of building completion 1 day no charge Agency : Thimphu Thromde (Building Section) A written confirmation, stating that construction is completed, is issued to the building controller. Page 13 Doing Business 2019 Bhutan 18 Receive final inspection 1 day no charge Agency : Thimphu Thromde When the construction (including utility connections) is completed, BuildCo must notify the City Corporation. Subsequently, the site will be inspected by a team (architect, engineer, surveyor, the Corporation’s building inspector, and representatives of electrical, plumbing, and sanitation agencies). The environmental commission and the telephone company are also informed and asked to join the team, if necessary. If the team deems that the construction has been completed according to the agreed standard and plans, it recommends the issuance of an occupancy certificate. Otherwise, they ask BuildCo to remedy the deficiencies. 19 Connect to sewage services 25 days BTN 3,000 Agency : Thimphu Thromde To obtain sewage services, BuildCo submits an application to the head of sewerage section of Thimpu Thromde through architect cell for new sewerage connection with a copy of the plan and a connection fee of BTN 3,000. The application should include the sewerage layout drawings, and ensure that the distance between the proposed sewer connection and the nearest municipal sewer do not exceed 70 m (as per the ‘water and sanitation rules, 1995). The technical feasibility for sewer connection shall be carried out at site. The application should also include a drawing of the lay out and the alignment of the sewer. The final connection to the municipal manhole shall be verified and approved by TCC. Connect to water services 21 days BTN 3,200 20 Agency : Thimpu Thromde In order to obtain a new water connection, BuildCo must submit a duly filled application form to the water supply section. The forms are available at the Engineering Division and Water Complaint Offices or can be downloaded from the TCC website. The Building Section will conduct verification check for the feasibility of the connection, and water Meter will be issued after the approval from Engineering Division and the payments for connection. BuildCo carries out necessary works for connection, and TCC will connect the private line to the municipal main. v.The property owner shall also be responsible for the maintenance of the water meter after the installation. vi.The Meter Chamber must be built according to the Standard Water Meter Chamber Drawing which can be collected from the office or can be downloaded from the website. Meter shall be installed only when the meter chamber is ready. 21 Request and obtain occupancy certificate 14 days no charge Agency : Thimphu Thromde Takes place simultaneously with previous procedure. Page 14 Doing Business 2019 Bhutan Details – Dealing with Construction Permits in Bhutan – Measure of Quality Answer Score Building quality control index (0-15) 12.0 Quality of building regulations index (0-2) 2.0 How accessible are building laws and regulations in your economy? (0-1) Available online; 1.0 Free of charge. Which requirements for obtaining a building permit are clearly specified in the building List of required 1.0 regulations or on any accessible website, brochure or pamphlet? (0-1) documents; Fees to be paid; Required preapprovals. Quality control before construction index (0-1) 1.0 Which third-party entities are required by law to verify that the building plans are in Licensed 1.0 compliance with existing building regulations? (0-1) architect; Licensed engineer. Quality control during construction index (0-3) 2.0 What types of inspections (if any) are required by law to be carried out during construction? Inspections at 1.0 (0-2) various phases. Do legally mandated inspections occur in practice during construction? (0-1) Mandatory 1.0 inspections are always done in practice. Quality control after construction index (0-3) 3.0 Is there a final inspection required by law to verify that the building was built in accordance Yes, final 2.0 with the approved plans and regulations? (0-2) inspection is done by government agency. Do legally mandated final inspections occur in practice? (0-1) Final inspection 1.0 always occurs in practice. Liability and insurance regimes index (0-2) 0.0 Which parties (if any) are held liable by law for structural flaws or problems in the building No party is held 0.0 once it is in use (Latent Defect Liability or Decennial Liability)? (0-1) liable under the law. Which parties (if any) are required by law to obtain an insurance policy to cover possible No party is 0.0 structural flaws or problems in the building once it is in use (Latent Defect Liability Insurance required by law or Decennial Insurance)? (0-1) to obtain insurance . Professional certifications index (0-4) 4.0 What are the qualification requirements for the professional responsible for verifying that the Minimum number 2.0 architectural plans or drawings are in compliance with existing building regulations? (0-2) of years of experience; University degree in architecture or engineering; Being a registered architect or engineer. Page 15 Doing Business 2019 Bhutan What are the qualification requirements for the professional who supervises the construction Minimum number 2.0 on the ground? (0-2) of years of experience; University degree in engineering, construction or construction management; Being a registered architect or engineer. Page 16 Doing Business 2019 Bhutan Getting Electricity This topic measures the procedures, time and cost required for a business to obtain a permanent electricity connection for a newly constructed warehouse. Additionally, the reliability of supply and transparency of tariffs index measures reliability of supply, transparency of tariffs and the price of electricity. The most recent round of data collection for the project was completed in May 2018. See the methodology for more information. What the indicators measure Case study assumptions Procedures to obtain an electricity connection To make the data comparable across economies, several assumptions about the (number) warehouse, the electricity connection and the monthly consumption are used. • Submitting all relevant documents and obtaining The warehouse: all necessary clearances and permits - Is owned by a local entrepreneur and is used for storage of goods. • Completing all required notifications and - Is located in the economy’s largest business city. For 11 economies the data are receiving all necessary inspections also collected for the second largest business city. • Obtaining external installation works and possibly - Is located in an area where similar warehouses are typically located and is in an purchasing material for these works area with no physical constraints. For example, the property is not near a railway. - Is a new construction and is being connected to electricity for the first time. • Concluding any necessary supply contract and - Has two stories with a total surface area of approximately 1,300.6 square meters obtaining final supply (14,000 square feet). The plot of land on which it is built is 929 square meters Time required to complete each procedure (10,000 square feet). (calendar days) The electricity connection: • Is at least 1 calendar day - Is a permanent one with a three-phase, four-wire Y connection with a subscribed • Each procedure starts on a separate day capacity of 140-kilo-volt-ampere (kVA) with a power factor of 1, when 1 kVA = 1 kilowatt (kW). • Does not include time spent gathering information - Has a length of 150 meters. The connection is to either the low- or medium-voltage distribution network and is either overhead or underground, whichever is more • Reflects the time spent in practice, with little common in the area where the warehouse is located and requires works that involve follow-up and no prior contact with officials the crossing of a 10-meter road (such as by excavation or overhead lines) but are all carried out on public land. There is no crossing of other owners’ private property Cost required to complete each procedure (% of because the warehouse has access to a road. income per capita) - Does not require work to install the internal wiring of the warehouse. This has • Official costs only, no bribes already been completed up to and including the customer’s service panel or switchboard and the meter base. • Value added tax excluded The reliability of supply and transparency of The monthly consumption: tariffs index (0-8) - It is assumed that the warehouse operates 30 days a month from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 • Duration and frequency of power outages (0–3) p.m. (8 hours a day), with equipment utilized at 80% of capacity on average and that there are no electricity cuts (assumed for simplicity reasons) and the monthly energy • Tools to monitor power outages (0–1) consumption is 26,880 kilowatt-hours (kWh); hourly consumption is 112 kWh. • Tools to restore power supply (0–1) - If multiple electricity suppliers exist, the warehouse is served by the cheapest supplier. • Regulatory monitoring of utilities’ performance (0–1) - Tariffs effective in January of the current year are used for calculation of the price of electricity for the warehouse. Although January has 31 days, for calculation • Financial deterrents limiting outages (0–1) purposes only 30 days are used. • Transparency and accessibility of tariffs (0–1) Price of electricity (cents per kilowatt-hour)* • Price based on monthly bill for commercial warehouse in case study *Note: Doing Business measures the price of electricity, but it is not included in the ease of doing business score nor the ranking on the ease of getting electricity. Page 17 Doing Business 2019 Bhutan Getting Electricity - Bhutan Standardized Connection Price of electricity (US cents per kWh) 5.4 Name of utility Bhutan Power Corporation Ltd City Covered Thimphu Indicator Bhutan South Asia OECD high Best Regulatory income Performance Procedures (number) 4 5.4 4.5 3 (25 Economies) Time (days) 61 98.3 77.2 18 (3 Economies) Cost (% of income per capita) 412.3 1054.7 64.2 0.0 (3 Economies) Reliability of supply and transparency of tariff 4 2.1 7.5 8.0 (27 Economies) index (0-8) Figure – Getting Electricity in Bhutan and comparator economies – Ranking and Score DB 2019 Getting Electricity Score 0 100 98.57: Thailand (Rank: 6) 92.01: China (Rank: 14) 89.15: India (Rank: 24) 77.39: Bhutan (Rank: 73) 59.36: Regional Average (South Asia) 55.60: Maldives (Rank: 145) Note: The ranking of economies on the ease of getting electricity is determined by sorting their scores for getting electricity. These scores are the simple average of the scores for all the component indicators except the price of electricity. Page 18 Doing Business 2019 Bhutan Figure – Getting Electricity in Bhutan – Procedure, Time and Cost Time (days) Cost (% of income per capita) 60 450 400 Cost (% of income per capita) 50 350 40 300 Time (days) 250 30 200 20 150 100 10 50 0 0 1 2 3 4 Procedures (number) * This symbol is shown beside procedure numbers that take place simultaneously with the previous procedure. Note: Online procedures account for 0.5 days in the total time calculation. For economies that have a different procedure list for men and women, the graph shows the time for women. For more information on methodology, see the Doing Business website (http://doingbusiness.org/en/methodology). For details on the procedures reflected here, see the summary below. Figure – Getting Electricity in Bhutan and comparator economies – Measure of Quality 8 8 7 6.5 6 6 Index score 5 4 4 3 2.1 2 1 0 0 Bhutan China India Maldives Thailand South Asia Page 19 Doing Business 2019 Bhutan Details – Getting Electricity in Bhutan – Procedure, Time and Cost No. Procedures Time to Complete Associated Costs 1 Submit application to Bhutan Power Corporation and await site inspection 5 calendar days BTN 0 Agency : Bhutan Power Corporation The customer submits an application, in person, along with the building drawings to Bhutan Power Corporation and await site the site inspection. There is no charge for the application and no documents has to be notarized. 2 Receive site inspection and await estimate 7 calendar days BTN 0 Agency : Bhutan Power Corporation The utility will conducts an external site inspection and a cost estimate will be provided to the customer. 3 Purchase equipment and carry out external works 42 calendar days BTN 801,290.78 Agency : Electrical contractor The cost estimate provided to the customer also includes the cost of the required materials such as a250 KVA substation, rabbit conductor, cables, poles and line extension. The customer has a choice of getting external connection works done by either the utility or by a private contractor. In general, customers choose to have the external done by the private contractor as it can be done faster. All materials, except the distribution transformer are purchased from the utility as they have materials of the correct specification. The distribution transformer needs to be imported, usually from India. 4 Receive internal wiring inspection, transformer testing, meter installation 7 calendar days BTN 5,000 and electricity flow Agency : Bhutan Power Corporation The utility inspects the internal wiring, conducts testing of the transformer and installs the meter. The customer pays the meter deposit charge and electricity is turned-on by the utility. Takes place simultaneously with previous procedure. Page 20 Doing Business 2019 Bhutan Details – Getting Electricity in Bhutan – Measure of Quality Answer Reliability of supply and transparency of tariff index (0-8) 4 Total duration and frequency of outages per customer a year (0-3) 1 System average interruption duration index (SAIDI) 5.4 System average interruption frequency index (SAIFI) 6.6 What is the minimum outage time (in minutes) that the utility considers for the calculation of SAIDI/SAIFI 5.0 Mechanisms for monitoring outages (0-1) 0 Does the distribution utility use automated tools to monitor outages? No Mechanisms for restoring service (0-1) 0 Does the distribution utility use automated tools to restore service? No Regulatory monitoring (0-1) 1 Does a regulator—that is, an entity separate from the utility—monitor the utility’s performance on reliability of Yes supply? Financial deterrents aimed at limiting outages (0-1) 1 Does the utility either pay compensation to customers or face fines by the regulator (or both) if outages Yes exceed a certain cap? Communication of tariffs and tariff changes (0-1) 1 Are effective tariffs available online? Yes Link to the website, if available online http://www.bpc.bt/? s=tariff Are customers notified of a change in tariff ahead of the billing cycle? Yes Note: If the duration and frequency of outages is 100 or less, the economy is eligible to score on the Reliability of supply and transparency of tariff index. If the duration and frequency of outages is not available, or is over 100, the economy is not eligible to score on the index. If the minimum outage time considered for SAIDI/SAIFI is over 5 minutes, the economy is not eligible to score on the index. Page 21 Doing Business 2019 Bhutan Registering Property This topic examines the steps, time and cost involved in registering property, assuming a standardized case of an entrepreneur who wants to purchase land and a building that is already registered and free of title dispute. In addition, the topic also measures the quality of the land administration system in each economy. The quality of land administration index has five dimensions: reliability of infrastructure, transparency of information, geographic coverage, land dispute resolution, and equal access to property rights. The most recent round of data collection for the project was completed in May 2018. See the methodology for more information. What the indicators measure Case study assumptions Procedures to legally transfer title on To make the data comparable across economies, several assumptions about the immovable property (number) parties to the transaction, the property and the procedures are used. • Preregistration procedures (for example, The parties (buyer and seller): checking for liens, notarizing sales agreement, paying property transfer taxes) - Are limited liability companies (or the legal equivalent). - Are located in the periurban area of the economy’s largest business city. For 11 • Registration procedures in the economy's largest economies the data are also collected for the second largest business city. business city. - Are 100% domestically and privately owned. • Postregistration procedures (for example, filling - Have 50 employees each, all of whom are nationals. title with municipality) - Perform general commercial activities. Time required to complete each procedure The property (fully owned by the seller): (calendar days) - Has a value of 50 times income per capita, which equals the sale price. • Does not include time spent gathering - Is fully owned by the seller. information - Has no mortgages attached and has been under the same ownership for the past 10 years. • Each procedure starts on a separate day - - Is registered in the land registry or cadastre, or both, and is free of title disputes. though procedures that can be fully completed online are an exception to this rule - Is located in a periurban commercial zone, and no rezoning is required. - Consists of land and a building. The land area is 557.4 square meters (6,000 • Procedure is considered completed once final square feet). A two-story warehouse of 929 square meters (10,000 square feet) is document is received located on the land. The warehouse is 10 years old, is in good condition, has no • No prior contact with officials heating system and complies with all safety standards, building codes and legal requirements. The property, consisting of land and building, will be transferred in its Cost required to complete each procedure (% of entirety. property value) - Will not be subject to renovations or additional construction following the purchase. - Has no trees, natural water sources, natural reserves or historical monuments of • Official costs only (such as administrative fees, any kind. duties and taxes). - Will not be used for special purposes, and no special permits, such as for • Value Added Tax, Capital Gains Tax and illicit residential use, industrial plants, waste storage or certain types of agricultural payments are excluded activities, are required. - Has no occupants, and no other party holds a legal interest in it. Quality of land administration index (0-30) • Reliability of infrastructure index (0-8) • Transparency of information index (0–6) • Geographic coverage index (0–8) • Land dispute resolution index (0–8) • Equal access to property rights index (-2–0) Page 22 Doing Business 2019 Bhutan Registering Property - Bhutan Indicator Bhutan South Asia OECD high Best Regulatory income Performance Procedures (number) 3 6.8 4.7 1 (4 Economies) Time (days) 77 114.1 20.1 1 (New Zealand) Cost (% of property value) 5.0 6.9 4.2 0.0 (Saudi Arabia) Quality of the land administration index (0-30) 23.5 8.8 23.0 None in 2017/18 Figure – Registering Property in Bhutan and comparator economies – Ranking and Score DB 2019 Registering Property Score 0 100 80.80: China (Rank: 27) 72.99: Bhutan (Rank: 54) 69.47: Thailand (Rank: 66) 46.91: Regional Average (South Asia) 43.55: India (Rank: 166) 39.97: Maldives (Rank: 175) Note: The ranking of economies on the ease of registering property is determined by sorting their scores for registering property. These scores are the simple average of the scores for each of the component indicators. Figure – Registering Property in Bhutan – Procedure, Time and Cost Time (days) Cost (% of property value) 6 70 5 Cost (% of property value) 60 50 4 Time (days) 40 3 30 2 20 1 10 0 0 1 2 3 Procedures (number) * This symbol is shown beside procedure numbers that take place simultaneously with the previous procedure. Note: Online procedures account for 0.5 days in the total time calculation. For economies that have a different procedure list for men and women, the graph shows the time for women. For more information on methodology, see the Doing Business website (http://doingbusiness.org/en/methodology). For details on the procedures reflected here, see the summary below. Page 23 Doing Business 2019 Bhutan Figure – Registering Property in Bhutan and comparator economies – Measure of Quality 30 25 23.5 23.7 Index score 19.0 20 15 10 8.7 8.5 8.8 5 0 Bhutan China India Maldives Thailand South Asia Details – Registering Property in Bhutan – Procedure, Time and Cost No. Procedures Time to Complete Associated Costs 1 Complete and submit the Land Transfer Form to the Thimphu District 75 days no charge Municipality (TDM) Agency : Thimmphu Thromde 1. A complete set of Land Transfer Form is submitted to the Thimphu Thromdey (Thimphu Municipality Office), which issues PIN (Personal Identification Number). 2. As per Section 161 of the Land Act 2007, the Thimphu Thromdey shall post a notice of the transaction for public viewing for 30 days. 3. If no objection is raised, the Forms are validated and submitted to National Land Commission Secretariat within 7 Days after completion of the public viewing (Section 164 of the Land Act 2007). 4. After receipt of the forms by the National Land Commission Secretariat, ownership changes are effected in the land registration certificate. The certificate is then sent back to Thimphu Thromde. 5. The Thromde then informs the buyer to pay the transfer tax after which the certificate is issued to the new landowner. Since October 2017, the National Land Commission has been working in the development of a new eCitizen Portal (citizen.nlcs.gov.bt) with the aim to deliver convenient and efficient services to the public during the process of land and property transactions. Nevertheless, up to date, the majority of citizens prefer to go personally to the Thimphu Thromde, and don't use in practice the online portal due to a lack of reliability and efficient perceived regarding the online procedure. For submitting the online transfer Form, a new registration fee of BTN 1,000 is charged. 2 Buyer pays the transfer tax at the Thimphu Thromde Revenue Section 1 day BTN 488,900.05; (5% Agency : Thimmphu Thromde of property value) The buyer pays the transfer tax at the Thimphu Thromde Revenue Section and collects the Revenue Certificate, as proof of payment (separate building). The Revenue Section is closed on Thursday and Friday. From Monday, October 18, 2010 the Revenue Section set up an office in the same building as the Land Records Section and company can pay in the same building. The company will pick up an already ready Revenue Certificate upon payment. The company must pay transfer tax with the Thimphu Thromde within 2 months otherwise the buyer will be asked to pay charges, i.e 5% of the land tax applicable multiplied by the number of days from the two months payment has to be done with the TT. 3 Buyer collects Ownership Certificate and Revenue Certificate at the 1 day BTN 200 Thimphu Thromde Land Records Section Agency : Thimmphu Thromde The ownership certificate guarantees all legal rights to the owner. The certificate is supported by a site plan/map and is issued upon the landowner's request. Takes place simultaneously with previous procedure. Page 24 Doing Business 2019 Bhutan Details – Registering Property in Bhutan – Measure of Quality Answer Score Reliability of infrastructure index (0-8) 7.0 What is the institution in charge of immovable property registration? Thimphu Thromde In what format are the majority of title or deed records kept in the largest business city—in a Computer/Fully 2.0 paper format or in a computerized format (scanned or fully digital)? digital Is there an electronic database for checking for encumbrances (liens, mortgages, restrictions No 0.0 and the like)? Institution in charge of the plans showing legal boundaries in the largest business city: Thimphu Thromdey & National land commission In what format are the majority of maps of land plots kept in the largest business city—in a Computer/Fully 2.0 paper format or in a computerized format (scanned or fully digital)? digital Is there an electronic database for recording boundaries, checking plans and providing Yes 1.0 cadastral information (geographic information system)? Is the information recorded by the immovable property registration agency and the cadastral Different 1.0 or mapping agency kept in a single database, in different but linked databases or in separate databases but databases? linked Do the immovable property registration agency and cadastral or mapping agency use the Yes 1.0 same identification number for properties? Transparency of information index (0–6) 2.5 Who is able to obtain information on land ownership at the agency in charge of immovable Records are not 0.0 property registration in the largest business city? publicly available Is the list of documents that are required to complete any type of property transaction made Yes, online 0.5 publicly available–and if so, how? Link for online access: citizen.nlcs.gov.bt Is the applicable fee schedule for any property transaction at the agency in charge of Yes, online 0.5 immovable property registration in the largest business city made publicly available–and if so, how? Link for online access: http://www.thimp hucity.bt/index.ph p/services/survey / Does the agency in charge of immovable property registration commit to delivering a legally Yes, online 0.5 binding document that proves property ownership within a specific time frame–and if so, how does it communicate the service standard? Link for online access: http://www.nlcs.g ov.bt/wp- content/uploads/ 2016/09/The- Land-Act-of- Kingdom-of- Bhutan-2007- English.pdf Is there a specific and separate mechanism for filing complaints about a problem that No 0.0 occurred at the agency in charge of immovable property registration? Contact information: Are there publicly available official statistics tracking the number of transactions at the Yes 0.5 immovable property registration agency? Number of property transfers in the largest business city in 2017: Who is able to consult maps of land plots in the largest business city? Records are not 0.0 publicly available Page 25 Doing Business 2019 Bhutan Is the applicable fee schedule for accessing maps of land plots made publicly available— No 0.0 and if so, how? Link for online access: Does the cadastral or mapping agency commit to delivering an updated map within a Yes, online 0.5 specific time frame—and if so, how does it communicate the service standard? Link for online access: www.nlcs.gov.bt and http://www.thimp hucity.bt Is there a specific and separate mechanism for filing complaints about a problem that No 0.0 occurred at the cadastral or mapping agency? Contact information: Geographic coverage index (0–8) 8.0 Are all privately held land plots in the economy formally registered at the immovable property Yes 2.0 registry? Are all privately held land plots in the largest business city formally registered at the Yes 2.0 immovable property registry? Are all privately held land plots in the economy mapped? Yes 2.0 Are all privately held land plots in the largest business city mapped? Yes 2.0 Land dispute resolution index (0–8) 6.0 Does the law require that all property sale transactions be registered at the immovable Yes 1.5 property registry to make them opposable to third parties? Is the system of immovable property registration subject to a state or private guarantee? No 0.0 Is there a specific compensation mechanism to cover for losses incurred by parties who No 0.0 engaged in good faith in a property transaction based on erroneous information certified by the immovable property registry? Does the legal system require a control of legality of the documents necessary for a property Yes 0.5 transaction (e.g., checking the compliance of contracts with requirements of the law)? If yes, who is responsible for checking the legality of the documents? Lawyer; Does the legal system require verification of the identity of the parties to a property Yes 0.0 transaction? If yes, who is responsible for verifying the identity of the parties? Interested Parties; Is there a national database to verify the accuracy of identity documents? Yes 1.0 For a standard land dispute between two local businesses over tenure rights of a property the Royal Court worth 50 times gross national income (GNI) per capita and located in the largest business of Justice city, what court would be in charge of the case in the first instance? How long does it take on average to obtain a decision from the first-instance court for such a Less than a year 3.0 case (without appeal)? Are there any statistics on the number of land disputes in the first instance? No 0.0 Number of land disputes in the largest business city in 2017: Equal access to property rights index (-2–0) 0.0 Do unmarried men and unmarried women have equal ownership rights to property? Yes Do married men and married women have equal ownership rights to property? Yes 0.0 Page 26 Doing Business 2019 Bhutan Getting Credit This topic explores two sets of issues—the strength of credit reporting systems and the effectiveness of collateral and bankruptcy laws in facilitating lending. The most recent round of data collection for the project was completed in May 2018. See the methodology for more information. What the indicators measure Case study assumptions Strength of legal rights index (0–12) Doing Business assesses the sharing of credit information and the legal rights of borrowers and lenders with respect to secured transactions through 2 sets of • Rights of borrowers and lenders through indicators. The depth of credit information index measures rules and practices collateral laws (0-10) affecting the coverage, scope and accessibility of credit information available • Protection of secured creditors’ rights through through a credit registry or a credit bureau. The strength of legal rights index bankruptcy laws (0-2) measures the degree to which collateral and bankruptcy laws protect the rights of borrowers and lenders and thus facilitate lending. For each economy it is first Depth of credit information index (0–8) determined whether a unitary secured transactions system exists. Then two case • Scope and accessibility of credit information scenarios, case A and case B, are used to determine how a nonpossessory security distributed by credit bureaus and credit registries interest is created, publicized and enforced according to the law. Special emphasis (0-8) is given to how the collateral registry operates (if registration of security interests is possible). The case scenarios involve a secured borrower, company ABC, and a Credit bureau coverage (% of adults) secured lender, BizBank. • Number of individuals and firms listed in largest In some economies the legal framework for secured transactions will allow only case credit bureau as a percentage of adult population A or case B (not both) to apply. Both cases examine the same set of legal provisions relating to the use of movable collateral. Credit registry coverage (% of adults) • Number of individuals and firms listed in credit Several assumptions about the secured borrower (ABC) and lender (BizBank) registry as a percentage of adult population are used: - ABC is a domestic limited liability company (or its legal equivalent). - ABC has up to 50 employees. - ABC has its headquarters and only base of operations in the economy’s largest business city. For 11 economies the data are also collected for the second largest business city. - Both ABC and BizBank are 100% domestically owned. The case scenarios also involve assumptions. In case A, as collateral for the loan, ABC grants BizBank a nonpossessory security interest in one category of movable assets, for example, its machinery or its inventory. ABC wants to keep both possession and ownership of the collateral. In economies where the law does not allow nonpossessory security interests in movable property, ABC and BizBank use a fiduciary transfer-of-title arrangement (or a similar substitute for nonpossessory security interests). In case B, ABC grants BizBank a business charge, enterprise charge, floating charge or any charge that gives BizBank a security interest over ABC’s combined movable assets (or as much of ABC’s movable assets as possible). ABC keeps ownership and possession of the assets. Page 27 Doing Business 2019 Bhutan Getting Credit - Bhutan Indicator Bhutan South Asia OECD high Best Regulatory income Performance Strength of legal rights index (0-12) 4 5.5 6.1 12 (5 Economies) Depth of credit information index (0-8) 7 4.0 6.7 8 (42 Economies) Credit registry coverage (% of adults) 0 4.8 21.8 100.0 (4 Economies) Credit bureau coverage (% of adults) 35.9 18.5 65.3 100.0 (25 Economies) Figure – Getting Credit in Bhutan and comparator economies – Ranking and Score DB 2019 Getting Credit Score 0 100 80.00: India (Rank: 22) 70.00: Thailand (Rank: 44) 60.00: China (Rank: 73) 55.00: Bhutan (Rank: 85) 47.50: Regional Average (South Asia) 35.00: Maldives (Rank: 134) Note: The ranking of economies on the ease of getting credit is determined by sorting their scores for getting credit. These scores are the sum of the scores for the strength of legal rights index and the depth of credit information index. Figure – Legal Rights in Bhutan and comparator economies 9 8 7 7 6 5.5 Index Score 5 4 4 4 3 2 2 1 0 Bhutan China India Maldives Thailand South Asia Page 28 Doing Business 2019 Bhutan Details – Legal Rights in Bhutan Strength of legal rights index (0-12) 4 Does an integrated or unified legal framework for secured transactions that extends to the creation, publicity and No enforcement of functional equivalents to security interests in movable assets exist in the economy? Does the law allow businesses to grant a non possessory security right in a single category of movable assets, without Yes requiring a specific description of collateral? Does the law allow businesses to grant a non possessory security right in substantially all of its assets, without requiring a Yes specific description of collateral? May a security right extend to future or after-acquired assets, and does it extend automatically to the products, proceeds and Yes replacements of the original assets? Is a general description of debts and obligations permitted in collateral agreements; can all types of debts and obligations be No secured between parties; and can the collateral agreement include a maximum amount for which the assets are encumbered? Is a collateral registry in operation for both incorporated and non-incorporated entities, that is unified geographically and by No asset type, with an electronic database indexed by debtor's name? Does a notice-based collateral registry exist in which all functional equivalents can be registered? No Does a modern collateral registry exist in which registrations, amendments, cancellations and searches can be performed No online by any interested third party? Are secured creditors paid first (i.e. before tax claims and employee claims) when a debtor defaults outside an insolvency No procedure? Are secured creditors paid first (i.e. before tax claims and employee claims) when a business is liquidated? No Are secured creditors subject to an automatic stay on enforcement when a debtor enters a court-supervised reorganization No procedure? Does the law protect secured creditors’ rights by providing clear grounds for relief from the stay and sets a time limit for it? Does the law allow parties to agree on out of court enforcement at the time a security interest is created? Does the law allow Yes the secured creditor to sell the collateral through public auction or private tender, as well as, for the secured creditor to keep the asset in satisfaction of the debt? Figure – Credit Information in Bhutan and comparator economies 8 8 7 7 7 7 6 Index Score 5 5 4.0 4 3 2 1 0 Bhutan China India Maldives Thailand South Asia Page 29 Doing Business 2019 Bhutan Details – Credit Information in Bhutan Depth of credit information index (0-8) Credit Credit Score bureau registry Are data on both firms and individuals distributed? Yes No 1 Are both positive and negative credit data distributed? Yes No 1 Are data from retailers or utility companies - in addition to data from banks and Yes No 1 financial institutions - distributed? Are at least 2 years of historical data distributed? (Credit bureaus and registries Yes No 1 that distribute more than 10 years of negative data or erase data on defaults as soon as they are repaid obtain a score of 0 for this component.) Are data on loan amounts below 1% of income per capita distributed? Yes No 1 By law, do borrowers have the right to access their data in the credit bureau or Yes No 1 credit registry? Can banks and financial institutions access borrowers’ credit information online Yes No 1 (for example, through an online platform, a system-to-system connection or both)? Are bureau or registry credit scores offered as a value-added service to help No No 0 banks and financial institutions assess the creditworthiness of borrowers? Total Score ("yes" to either public bureau or private registry) 7 Note: An economy receives a score of 1 if there is a "yes" to either bureau or registry. If the credit bureau or registry is not operational or covers less than 5% of the adult population, the total score on the depth of credit information index is 0. Coverage Credit bureau Credit registry Number of individuals 196,692 0 Number of firms 1,904 0 Total 198,596 0 Percentage of adult population 35.9 0 Page 30 Doing Business 2019 Bhutan Protecting Minority Investors This topic measures the strength of minority shareholder protections against misuse of corporate assets by directors for their personal gain as well as shareholder rights, governance safeguards and corporate transparency requirements that reduce the risk of abuse. The most recent round of data collection for the project was completed in May 2018. See the methodology for more information. What the indicators measure Case study assumptions • Extent of disclosure index (0–10): Review and To make the data comparable across economies, a case study uses several approval requirements for related-party assumptions about the business and the transaction. transactions; Disclosure requirements for related- party transactions The business (Buyer): • Extent of director liability index (0–10): Ability - Is a publicly traded corporation listed on the economy’s most important stock of minority shareholders to sue and hold exchange. If there are fewer than ten listed companies or if there is no stock interested directors liable for prejudicial related- exchange in the economy, it is assumed that Buyer is a large private company with party transactions; Available legal remedies multiple shareholders. (damages, disgorgement of profits, fines, - Has a board of directors and a chief executive officer (CEO) who may legally act on imprisonment, rescission of the transaction) behalf of Buyer where permitted, even if this is not specifically required by law. - Has a supervisory board in economies with a two-tier board system on which Mr. • Ease of shareholder suits index (0–10): Access to internal corporate documents; James appointed 60% of the shareholder-elected members. Evidence obtainable during trial and allocation of - Has not adopted bylaws or articles of association that go beyond the minimum legal expenses requirements. Does not follow codes, principles, recommendations or guidelines that are not mandatory. • Extent of conflict of interest regulation index - Is a manufacturing company with its own distribution network. (0–10): Simple average of the extent of disclosure, extent of director liability and ease of The transaction involves the following details: shareholder indices - Mr. James owns 60% of Buyer, sits on Buyer’s board of directors and elected two • Extent of shareholder rights index (0-10): directors to Buyer’s five-member board. Shareholders’ rights and role in major corporate - Mr. James also owns 90% of Seller, a company that operates a chain of retail decisions hardware stores. Seller recently closed a large number of its stores. - Mr. James proposes that Buyer purchase Seller’s unused fleet of trucks to expand • Extent of ownership and control index (0-10): Buyer’s distribution of its food products, a proposal to which Buyer agrees. The price Governance safeguards protecting shareholders is equal to 10% of Buyer’s assets and is higher than the market value. from undue board control and entrenchment - The proposed transaction is part of the company’s principal activity and is not • Extent of corporate transparency index (0-10): outside the authority of the company. Corporate transparency on ownership stakes, - Buyer enters into the transaction. All required approvals are obtained, and all compensation, audits and financial prospects required disclosures made—that is, the transaction was not entered into fraudulently. • Extent of shareholder governance index (0– - The transaction causes damages to Buyer. Shareholders sue Mr. James and the 10): Simple average of the extent of shareholders executives and directors that approved the transaction. rights, extent of ownership and control and extent of corporate transparency indices • Strength of minority investor protection index (0–10): Simple average of the extent of conflict of interest regulation and extent of shareholder governance indices Page 31 Doing Business 2019 Bhutan Protecting Minority Investors - Bhutan Indicator Bhutan South Asia OECD high Best Regulatory income Performance Extent of disclosure index (0-10) 4.0 5.8 6.5 10 (13 Economies) Extent of director liability index (0-10) 4.0 5.0 5.3 10 (Cambodia) Ease of shareholder suits index (0-10) 6.0 7.4 7.3 10 (Djibouti) Extent of shareholder rights index (0-10) 4.0 6.9 6.4 10 (Kazakhstan) Extent of ownership and control index (0-10) 5.0 5.9 5.4 None in 2017/18 Extent of corporate transparency index (0-10) 5.0 6.1 7.6 10 (6 Economies) Figure – Protecting Minority Investors in Bhutan and comparator economies – Ranking and Score DB 2019 Protecting Minority Investors Score 0 100 80.00: India (Rank: 7) 75.00: Thailand (Rank: 15) 61.67: Regional Average (South Asia) 60.00: China (Rank: 64) 46.67: Bhutan (Rank: 125) 43.33: Maldives (Rank: 132) Note: The ranking of economies on the strength of minority investor protections is determined by sorting their scores for protecting minority investors. These scores are the simple average of the scores for the extent of conflict of interest regulation index and the extent of shareholder governance index. Figure – Protecting Minority Investors in Bhutan and comparator economies – Measure of Quality Bhutan 5 4 4 5 4 6 China 9 1 10 4 7 5 India 8 7 8 8 10 7 Maldives 4 8 01 5 8 Thailand 7 7 10 7 6 8 OECD high income 7.4 5.5 6.5 5.2 6.3 7.4 South Asia 6.4 5.9 6.1 6.2 7.2 7.1 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 Sub-Indicator Score Extent of corporate transparency index (0-10) Extent of director liability index (0-10) Extent of disclosure index (0-10) Extent of ownership and control index (0-10) Extent of shareholder rights index (0-10) Ease of shareholder suits index (0-10) Page 32 Doing Business 2019 Bhutan Details – Protecting Minority Investors in Bhutan – Measure of Quality Answer Score Extent of conflict of interest regulation index (0-10) 4.7 Extent of disclosure index (0-10) 4.0 Whose decision is sufficient to approve the Buyer-Seller transaction? (0-3) Board of 2.0 directors excluding interested members Must an external body review the terms of the transaction before it takes place? (0-1) No 0.0 Must Mr. James disclose his conflict of interest to the board of directors? (0-2) Existence of a 1.0 conflict without any specifics Must Buyer disclose the transaction in periodic filings (e.g. annual reports)? (0-2) Disclosure on the 1.0 transaction only Must Buyer immediately disclose the transaction to the public? (0-2) No disclosure 0.0 obligation Extent of director liability index (0-10) 4.0 Can shareholders representing 10% of Buyer's share capital sue for the damage the Yes 1.0 transaction caused to Buyer? (0-1) Can shareholders hold Mr. James liable for the damage the transaction caused to Buyer? (0- Liable if negligent 1.0 2) Can shareholders hold the other directors liable for the damage the transaction caused to Liable if negligent 1.0 Buyer (0-2) Must Mr. James pay damages for the harm caused to Buyer upon a successful claim by No 0.0 shareholders? (0-1) Must Mr. James repay profits made from the transaction upon a successful claim by No 0.0 shareholders? (0-1) Is Mr. James disqualified upon a successful claim by shareholders? (0-1) No 0.0 Can a court void the transaction upon a successful claim by shareholders? (0-2) Voidable if 1.0 negligently concluded Ease of shareholder suits index (0-10) 6.0 Before suing, can shareholders representing 10% of Buyer's share capital inspect the Yes 1.0 transaction documents? (0-1) Can the plaintiff obtain any documents from the defendant and witnesses at trial? (0-3) Documents that 2.0 directly prove specific facts in the plaintiff’s claim Can the plaintiff request categories of documents from the defendant without identifying No 0.0 specific ones? (0-1) Can the plaintiff directly question the defendant and witnesses at trial? (0-2) Preapproved 1.0 questions only Is the level of proof required for civil suits lower than that of criminal cases? (0-1) Yes 1.0 Can shareholder plaintiffs recover their legal expenses from the company? (0-2) Yes if successful 1.0 Extent of shareholder governance index (0-10) 4.7 Extent of shareholder rights index (0-10) 4.0 Does the sale of 51% of Buyer's assets require shareholder approval? No 0.0 Can shareholders representing 10% of Buyer's share capital call for a meeting of Yes 1.0 shareholders? Page 33 Doing Business 2019 Bhutan Must Buyer obtain its shareholders’ approval every time it issues new shares? Yes 1.0 Do shareholders automatically receive preemption rights every time Buyer issues new No 0.0 shares? Must shareholders approve the election and dismissal of the external auditor? Yes 1.0 Are changes to the rights of a class of shares only possible if the holders of the affected No 0.0 shares approve? Assuming that Buyer is a limited company, does the sale of 51% of its assets require No 0.0 member approval? Assuming that Buyer is a limited company, can members representing 10% call for a Yes 1.0 meeting of members? Assuming that Buyer is a limited company, must all or almost all members consent to add a No 0.0 new member? Assuming that Buyer is a limited company, must a member first offer to sell their interest to No 0.0 the existing members before they can sell to non-members? Extent of ownership and control index (0-10) 5.0 Is it forbidden to appoint the same individual as CEO and chairperson of the board of Yes 1.0 directors? Must the board of directors include independent and nonexecutive board members? Yes 1.0 Can shareholders remove members of the board of directors without cause before the end No 0.0 of their term? Must the board of directors include a separate audit committee exclusively comprising board No 0.0 members? Must a potential acquirer make a tender offer to all shareholders upon acquiring 50% of No 0.0 Buyer? Must Buyer pay declared dividends within a maximum period set by law? Yes 1.0 Is a subsidiary prohibited from acquiring shares issued by its parent company? No 0.0 Assuming that Buyer is a limited company, must Buyer have a mechanism to resolve Yes 1.0 disagreements among members? Assuming that Buyer is a limited company, must a potential acquirer make a tender offer to No 0.0 all shareholders upon acquiring 50% of Buyer? Assuming that Buyer is a limited company, must Buyer distribute profits within a maximum Yes 1.0 period set by law? Extent of corporate transparency index (0-10) 5.0 Must Buyer disclose direct and indirect beneficial ownership stakes representing 5%? No 0.0 Must Buyer disclose information about board members’ primary employment and Yes 1.0 directorships in other companies? Must Buyer disclose the compensation of individual managers? No 0.0 Must a detailed notice of general meeting be sent 21 days before the meeting? No 0.0 Can shareholders representing 5% of Buyer’s share capital put items on the general meeting No 0.0 agenda? Must Buyer's annual financial statements be audited by an external auditor? Yes 1.0 Must Buyer disclose its audit reports to the public? Yes 1.0 Assuming that Buyer is a limited company, must members meet at least once a year? Yes 1.0 Assuming that Buyer is a limited company, can members representing 5% put items on the No 0.0 meeting agenda? Assuming that Buyer is a limited company, must Buyer's annual financial statements be Yes 1.0 audited by an external auditor? Page 34 Doing Business 2019 Bhutan Paying Taxes This topic records the taxes and mandatory contributions that a medium-size company must pay or withhold in a given year, as well as the administrative burden of paying taxes and contributions and complying with postfiling procedures (VAT refund and tax audit). The most recent round of data collection for the project was completed in May 2018 covering for the Paying Taxes indicator calendar year 2017 (January 1, 2017 – December 31, 2017). See the methodology for more information. What the indicators measure Case study assumptions Tax payments for a manufacturing company in Using a case scenario, Doing Business records taxes and mandatory contributions a 2017 (number per year adjusted for electronic medium size company must pay in a year, and measures the administrative burden and joint filing and payment) of paying taxes, contributions and dealing with postfiling processes. Information is also compiled on frequency of filing and payments, time taken to comply with tax • Total number of taxes and contributions paid or laws, time taken to comply with the requirements of postfiling processes and time withheld, including consumption taxes (value waiting. added tax, sales tax or goods and service tax) • Method and frequency of filing and payment To make data comparable across economies, several assumptions are used: - TaxpayerCo is a medium-size business that started operations on January 1, 2016. Time required to comply with 3 major taxes It produces ceramic flowerpots and sells them at retail. All taxes and contributions (hours per year) recorded are paid in the second year of operation (calendar year 2017). Taxes and mandatory contributions are measured at all levels of government. • Collecting information, computing tax payable • Preparing separate tax accounting books, if The VAT refund process: required - In June 2017, TaxpayerCo. makes a large capital purchase: the value of the • Completing tax return, filing with agencies machine is 65 times income per capita of the economy. Sales are equally spread per month (1,050 times income per capita divided by 12) and cost of goods sold are • Arranging payment or withholding equally expensed per month (875 times income per capita divided by 12). The machinery seller is registered for VAT and excess input VAT incurred in June will be Total tax and contribution rate (% of commercial fully recovered after four consecutive months if the VAT rate is the same for inputs, profits) sales and the machine and the tax reporting period is every month. Input VAT will • Profit or corporate income tax exceed Output VAT in June 2017. • Social contributions, labor taxes paid by The corporate income tax audit process: employer - An error in calculation of income tax liability (for example, use of incorrect tax • Property and property transfer taxes depreciation rates, or incorrectly treating an expense as tax deductible) leads to an incorrect income tax return and a corporate income tax underpayment. TaxpayerCo. • Dividend, capital gains, financial transactions discovered the error and voluntarily notified the tax authority. The value of the taxes underpaid income tax liability is 5% of the corporate income tax liability • Waste collection, vehicle, road and other taxes due. TaxpayerCo. submits corrected information after the deadline for submitting the annual tax return, but within the tax assessment period. Postfiling Index • Time to comply with a VAT refund (hours) • Time to obtain a VAT refund (weeks) • Time to comply with a corporate income tax correction (hours) • Time to complete a corporate income tax correction (weeks) Page 35 Doing Business 2019 Bhutan Paying Taxes - Bhutan Indicator Bhutan South Asia OECD high Best Regulatory income Performance Payments (number per year) 18 27.6 11.2 3 (Hong Kong SAR, China) Time (hours per year) 52 274.8 159.4 49 (Singapore) Total tax and contribution rate (% of profit) 35.3 43.5 39.8 26.1% (32 Economies) Postfiling index (0-100) 95.50 41.78 84.41 None in 2017/18 Figure – Paying Taxes in Bhutan and comparator economies – Ranking and Score DB 2019 Paying Taxes Score 0 100 89.28: Bhutan (Rank: 15) 77.72: Thailand (Rank: 59) 67.53: China (Rank: 114) 66.42: Maldives (Rank: 117) 65.36: India (Rank: 121) 60.02: Regional Average (South Asia) Note: The ranking of economies on the ease of paying taxes is determined by sorting their scores for paying taxes. These scores are the simple average of the scores for each of the component indicators, with a threshold and a nonlinear transformation applied to one of the component indicators, the total tax and contribution rate. The threshold is defined as the total tax and contribution rate at the 15th percentile of the overall distribution for all years included in the analysis up to and including Doing Business 2015, which is 26.1%. All economies with a total tax and contribution rate below this threshold receive the same score as the economy at the threshold. Figure – Paying Taxes in Bhutan and comparator economies – Measure of Quality 100 95.50 80 73.41 Index score 60 50.00 49.31 47.48 41.78 40 20 0 Bhutan China India Maldives Thailand South Asia Page 36 Doing Business 2019 Bhutan Details – Paying Taxes in Bhutan Tax or Payments Notes on Time Statutory Tax base Total tax Notes on mandatory (number) Payments (hours) tax rate and TTCR contribution contribution rate (% of profit) Corporate 2.0 22.0 30% taxable profit 33.86 income tax Property tax 1.0 BTN 75 per unit 0.97 Business 1.0 varies from size of 0.28 license BTN 500 to building and 25,000 land Annual 1.0 BTN 6,000 fixed fee 0.18 vehicle (Fees and registration charges) + BTN 7,000 (Motov vehicle tax) Tax on 0.0 5% interest 0.12 included in interest income other taxes Stamp duty 1.0 BTN 10 per signature 0.00 small amount Employee 0.0 jointly 1% gross salaries 0.00 withheld paid - Health insurance Personal 12.0 30.0 various rates gross salaries 0.00 withheld income tax Totals 18 52 35.3 Page 37 Doing Business 2019 Bhutan Details – Paying Taxes in Bhutan – Tax by Type Taxes by type Answer Profit tax (% of profit) 33.9 Labor tax and contributions (% of profit) 0 Other taxes (% of profit) 1.4 Page 38 Doing Business 2019 Bhutan Details – Paying Taxes in Bhutan – Measure of Quality Answer Score Postfiling index (0-100) 95.50 VAT refunds Does VAT exist? No Does a VAT refund process exist per the case study? N/A Restrictions on VAT refund process N/A Percentage of cases exposed to a VAT audit (%) Not applicable Is there a mandatory carry forward period? Not Applicable Time to comply with VAT refund (hours) No VAT No VAT Time to obtain a VAT refund (weeks) No VAT No VAT Corporate income tax audits Does corporate income tax exist? Yes Percentage of cases exposed to a corporate income tax audit (%) 75% - 100% Time to comply with a corporate income tax correction (hours) 3.0 97.25 Time to complete a corporate income tax correction (weeks) 2.0 93.75 Notes: Names of taxes have been standardized. For instance income tax, profit tax, tax on company's income are all named corporate income tax in this table. The hours for VAT include all the VAT and sales taxes applicable. The hours for Social Security include all the hours for labor taxes and mandatory contributions in general. The postfiling index is the average of the scores on time to comply with VAT refund, time to obtain a VAT refund, time to comply with a corporate income tax correction and time to complete a corporate income tax correction. N/A = Not applicable. Page 39 Doing Business 2019 Bhutan Trading across Borders Doing Business records the time and cost associated with the logistical process of exporting and importing goods. Doing Business measures the time and cost (excluding tariffs) associated with three sets of procedures—documentary compliance, border compliance and domestic transport—within the overall process of exporting or importing a shipment of goods. The most recent round of data collection for the project was completed in May 2018. See the methodology for more information. What the indicators measure Case study assumptions Documentary compliance To make the data comparable across economies, a few assumptions are made about the traded goods and the transactions: • Obtaining, preparing and submitting documents during transport, clearance, inspections and port Time: Time is measured in hours, and 1 day is 24 hours (for example, 22 days are or border handling in origin economy recorded as 22×24=528 hours). If customs clearance takes 7.5 hours, the data are • Obtaining, preparing and submitting documents recorded as is. Alternatively, suppose documents are submitted to a customs agency required by destination economy and any transit at 8:00a.m., are processed overnight and can be picked up at 8:00a.m. the next day. economies The time for customs clearance would be recorded as 24 hours because the actual procedure took 24 hours. • Covers all documents required by law and in practice, including electronic submissions of Cost: Insurance cost and informal payments for which no receipt is issued are information excluded from the costs recorded. Costs are reported in U.S. dollars. Contributors Border compliance are asked to convert local currency into U.S. dollars based on the exchange rate prevailing on the day they answer the questionnaire. Contributors are private sector • Customs clearance and inspections experts in international trade logistics and are informed about exchange rates. • Inspections by other agencies (if applied to more Assumptions of the case study: than 20% of shipments) - For all 190 economies covered by Doing Business, it is assumed a shipment is in a • Handling and inspections that take place at the warehouse in the largest business city of the exporting economy and travels to a economy’s port or border warehouse in the largest business city of the importing economy. - It is assumed each economy imports 15 metric tons of containerized auto parts (HS Domestic transport 8708) from its natural import partner—the economy from which it imports the largest • Loading or unloading of the shipment at the value (price times quantity) of auto parts. It is assumed each economy exports the warehouse or port/border product of its comparative advantage (defined by the largest export value) to its natural export partner—the economy that is the largest purchaser of this product. • Transport between warehouse and port/border Shipment value is assumed to be $50,000. • Traffic delays and road police checks while - The mode of transport is the one most widely used for the chosen export or import shipment is en route product and the trading partner, as is the seaport or land border crossing. - All electronic information submissions requested by any government agency in connection with the shipment are considered to be documents obtained, prepared and submitted during the export or import process. - A port or border is a place (seaport or land border crossing) where merchandise can enter or leave an economy. - Relevant government agencies include customs, port authorities, road police, border guards, standardization agencies, ministries or departments of agriculture or industry, national security agencies and any other government authorities. Page 40 Doing Business 2019 Bhutan Trading across Borders - Bhutan Indicator Bhutan South Asia OECD high Best Regulatory income Performance Time to export: Border compliance (hours) 5 62.9 12.5 1 (19 Economies) Cost to export: Border compliance (USD) 59 347.2 139.1 0 (19 Economies) Time to export: Documentary compliance (hours) 9 74.1 2.4 1 (26 Economies) Cost to export: Documentary compliance (USD) 50 160.3 35.2 0 (20 Economies) Time to import: Border compliance (hours) 5 95.8 8.5 0 (25 Economies) Cost to import: Border compliance (USD) 110 504.6 100.2 0 (28 Economies) Time to import: Documentary compliance (hours) 8 100.8 3.4 1 (30 Economies) Cost to import: Documentary compliance (USD) 50 276.7 24.9 0 (30 Economies) Figure – Trading across Borders in Bhutan and comparator economies – Ranking and Score DB 2019 Trading Across Borders Score 0 100 94.25: Bhutan (Rank: 28) 84.65: Thailand (Rank: 59) 82.59: China (Rank: 65) 77.46: India (Rank: 80) 62.57: Regional Average (South Asia) 55.87: Maldives (Rank: 155) Note: The ranking of economies on the ease of trading across borders is determined by sorting their scores for trading across borders. These scores are the simple average of the scores for the time and cost for documentary compliance and border compliance to export and import. Figure – Trading across Borders in Bhutan – Time and Cost Time (hours) Cost (USD) 10 9 110 120 8 100 8 Time (hours) Cost (USD) 80 6 5 5 59 50 50 60 4 40 2 20 0 0 Export Export Import Import - - - - Border Documentary Border Documentary Compliance Compliance Compliance Compliance Page 41 Doing Business 2019 Bhutan Details – Trading across Borders in Bhutan Characteristics Export Import Product HS 72 : Iron and steel HS 8708: Parts and accessories of motor vehicles Trade partner India India Border Jaigaon border crossing Jaigaon border crossing Distance (km) 175 175 Domestic transport time (hours) 8 8 Domestic transport cost (USD) 287 287 Details – Trading across Borders in Bhutan – Components of Border Compliance Time to Complete (hours) Associated Costs (USD) Export: Clearance and inspections required 5.2 12.7 by customs authorities Export: Clearance and inspections required 0.0 0.0 by agencies other than customs Export: Port or border handling 1.9 46.5 Import: Clearance and inspections required 2.7 13.6 by customs authorities Import: Clearance and inspections required 0.0 0.0 by agencies other than customs Import: Port or border handling 5.0 96.5 Page 42 Doing Business 2019 Bhutan Details – Trading across Borders in Bhutan – Trade Documents Export Import Commercial invoice Commercial invoice Certificate of origin Customs import declaration Customs export declaration Insurance certificate Insurance certificate Packing list Packing list Certificate of origin Purchase order Purchase order Shipping bill Report quality certificate Page 43 Doing Business 2019 Bhutan Enforcing Contracts The enforcing contracts indicator measures the time and cost for resolving a commercial dispute through a local first-instance court, and the quality of judicial processes index, evaluating whether each economy has adopted a series of good practices that promote quality and efficiency in the court system. The most recent round of data collection was completed in May 2018. See the methodology for more information. What the indicators measure Case study assumptions Time required to enforce a contract through the The dispute in the case study involves the breach of a sales contract between 2 courts (calendar days) domestic businesses. The case study assumes that the court hears an expert on the quality of the goods in dispute. This distinguishes the case from simple debt • Time to file and serve the case enforcement. • Time for trial and to obtain the judgment To make the data comparable across economies, Doing Business uses several • Time to enforce the judgment assumptions about the case: Cost required to enforce a contract through the - The dispute concerns a lawful transaction between two businesses (Seller and courts (% of claim) Buyer), both located in the economy’s largest business city. For 11 economies the data are also collected for the second largest business city. • Attorney fees - The buyer orders custom-made goods, then fails to pay alleging that the goods are not of adequate quality. • Court fees - The value of the dispute is 200% of the income per capita or the equivalent in local • Enforcement fees currency of USD 5,000, whichever is greater. - The seller sues the buyer before the court with jurisdiction over commercial cases Quality of judicial processes index (0-18) worth 200% of income per capita or $5,000. • Court structure and proceedings (-1-5) - The seller requests the pretrial attachment of the defendant’s movable assets to secure the claim. • Case management (0-6) - The dispute on the quality of the goods requires an expert opinion. • Court automation (0-4) - The judge decides in favor of the seller; there is no appeal. - The seller enforces the judgment through a public sale of the buyer’s movable • Alternative dispute resolution (0-3) assets. Page 44 Doing Business 2019 Bhutan Enforcing Contracts - Bhutan Standardized Case Claim value BTN 347,989 Court name Thimphu District Court, Commercial Bench City Covered Thimphu Indicator Bhutan South Asia OECD high Best Regulatory income Performance Time (days) 225 1101.6 582.4 None in 2017/18 Cost (% of claim value) 23.1 29.8 21.2 None in 2017/18 Quality of judicial processes index (0-18) 8.0 7.0 11.5 None in 2017/18 Figure – Enforcing Contracts in Bhutan and comparator economies – Ranking and Score DB 2019 Enforcing Contracts Score 0 100 78.97: China (Rank: 6) 69.99: Bhutan (Rank: 28) 67.91: Thailand (Rank: 35) 52.47: Maldives (Rank: 125) 43.44: Regional Average (South Asia) 41.19: India (Rank: 163) Note: The ranking of economies on the ease of enforcing contracts is determined by sorting their scores for enforcing contracts. These scores are the simple average of the scores for each of the component indicators. Figure – Enforcing Contracts in Bhutan – Time and Cost Time (days) Cost (% of claim value) 1600 35 1445 31.0 Cost (% of claim value) 29.8 1400 30 1200 23.1 1101.6 25 Time (days) 21.2 1000 18.5 20 16.2 760 16.9 800 582.4 15 600 496 420 10 400 225 200 5 0 0 Bhutan China India Maldives OECD South Thailand high Asia income Page 45 Doing Business 2019 Bhutan Figure – Enforcing Contracts in Bhutan and comparator economies – Measure of Quality Bhutan 2.5 3 0 2.5 China 3 4.5 3 5 India 2.5 1.5 2 4.5 Maldives 2 0 1 2.5 Thailand 2.5 2 1 3 OECD high income 2.5 3.1 2.3 3.6 South Asia 2.4 1.1 0.8 3.1 0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 Sub-Indicator Score Alternative dispute resolution (0-3) Case management (0-6) Court automation (0-4) Court structure and proceedings (-1-5) Details – Enforcing Contracts in Bhutan Indicator Time (days) 225 Filing and service 20 Trial and judgment 90 Enforcement of judgment 115 Cost (% of claim value) 23.1 Attorney fees 23 Court fees 0.1 Enforcement fees 0 Quality of judicial processes index (0-18) 8.0 Court structure and proceedings (-1-5) 2.5 Case management (0-6) 3.0 Court automation (0-4) 0.0 Alternative dispute resolution (0-3) 2.5 Page 46 Doing Business 2019 Bhutan Details – Enforcing Contracts in Bhutan – Measure of Quality Answer Score Quality of judicial processes index (0-18) 8.0 Court structure and proceedings (-1-5) 2.5 1. Is there a court or division of a court dedicated solely to hearing commercial cases? Yes 1.5 2. Small claims court 0.0 2.a. Is there a small claims court or a fast-track procedure for small claims? No 2.b. If yes, is self-representation allowed? n.a. 3. Is pretrial attachment available? Yes 1.0 4. Are new cases assigned randomly to judges? No 0.0 5. Does a woman's testimony carry the same evidentiary weight in court as a man's? Yes 0.0 Case management (0-6) 3.0 1. Time standards 1.0 1.a. Are there laws setting overall time standards for key court events in a civil Yes case? 1.b. If yes, are the time standards set for at least three court events? Yes 1.c. Are these time standards respected in more than 50% of cases? Yes 2. Adjournments 0.0 2.a. Does the law regulate the maximum number of adjournments that can be No granted? 2.b. Are adjournments limited to unforeseen and exceptional circumstances? No 2.c. If rules on adjournments exist, are they respected in more than 50% of cases? n.a. 3. Can two of the following four reports be generated about the competent court: (i) time to Yes 1.0 disposition report; (ii) clearance rate report; (iii) age of pending cases report; and (iv) single case progress report? 4. Is a pretrial conference among the case management techniques used before the Yes 1.0 competent court? 5. Are there any electronic case management tools in place within the competent court for No 0.0 use by judges? 6. Are there any electronic case management tools in place within the competent court for No 0.0 use by lawyers? Court automation (0-4) 0.0 1. Can the initial complaint be filed electronically through a dedicated platform within the no 0.0 competent court? 2. Is it possible to carry out service of process electronically for claims filed before the No 0.0 competent court? 3. Can court fees be paid electronically within the competent court? No 0.0 4. Publication of judgments 0.0 4.a Are judgments rendered in commercial cases at all levels made available to the No general public through publication in official gazettes, in newspapers or on the internet or court website? 4.b. Are judgments rendered in commercial cases at the appellate and supreme No court level made available to the general public through publication in official gazettes, in newspapers or on the internet or court website? Alternative dispute resolution (0-3) 2.5 1. Arbitration 1.5 Page 47 Doing Business 2019 Bhutan 1.a. Is domestic commercial arbitration governed by a consolidated law or Yes consolidated chapter or section of the applicable code of civil procedure encompassing substantially all its aspects? 1.b. Are there any commercial disputes—aside from those that deal with public No order or public policy—that cannot be submitted to arbitration? 1.c. Are valid arbitration clauses or agreements usually enforced by the courts? Yes 2. Mediation/Conciliation 1.0 2.a. Is voluntary mediation or conciliation available? Yes 2.b. Are mediation, conciliation or both governed by a consolidated law or Yes consolidated chapter or section of the applicable code of civil procedure encompassing substantially all their aspects? 2.c. Are there financial incentives for parties to attempt mediation or conciliation No (i.e., if mediation or conciliation is successful, a refund of court filing fees, income tax credits or the like)? Page 48 Doing Business 2019 Bhutan Resolving Insolvency Doing Business studies the time, cost and outcome of insolvency proceedings involving domestic legal entities. These variables are used to calculate the recovery rate, which is recorded as cents on the dollar recovered by secured creditors through reorganization, liquidation or debt enforcement (foreclosure or receivership) proceedings. To determine the present value of the amount recovered by creditors, Doing Business uses the lending rates from the International Monetary Fund, supplemented with data from central banks and the Economist Intelligence Unit. The most recent round of data collection was completed in May 2018. See the methodology for more information. What the indicators measure Case study assumptions Time required to recover debt (years) To make the data on the time, cost and outcome comparable across economies, several assumptions about the business and the case are used: • Measured in calendar years • Appeals and requests for extension are included - A hotel located in the largest city (or cities) has 201 employees and 50 suppliers. The hotel experiences financial difficulties. Cost required to recover debt (% of debtor’s - The value of the hotel is 100% of the income per capita or the equivalent in local estate) currency of USD 200,000, whichever is greater. - The hotel has a loan from a domestic bank, secured by a mortgage over the hotel’s • Measured as percentage of estate value real estate. The hotel cannot pay back the loan, but makes enough money to • Court fees operate otherwise. • Fees of insolvency administrators In addition, Doing Business evaluates the quality of legal framework applicable to • Lawyers’ fees judicial liquidation and reorganization proceedings and the extent to which best • Assessors’ and auctioneers’ fees insolvency practices have been implemented in each economy covered. • Other related fees Outcome • Whether business continues operating as a going concern or business assets are sold piecemeal Recovery rate for creditors • Measures the cents on the dollar recovered by secured creditors • Outcome for the business (survival or not) determines the maximum value that can be recovered • Official costs of the insolvency proceedings are deducted • Depreciation of furniture is taken into account • Present value of debt recovered Strength of insolvency framework index (0- 16) • Sum of the scores of four component indices: • Commencement of proceedings index (0-3) • Management of debtor’s assets index (0-6) • Reorganization proceedings index (0-3) • Creditor participation index (0-4) Page 49 Doing Business 2019 Bhutan Resolving Insolvency - Bhutan Indicator Bhutan South Asia OECD high Best Regulatory income Performance Recovery rate (cents on the dollar) 0.0 32.7 70.5 None in 2017/18 Time (years) No Practice 2.6 1.7 0.4 (Ireland) Cost (% of estate) No Practice 9.9 9.3 1.0 (Norway) Outcome (0 as piecemeal sale and 1 as going 0 .. .. .. concern) Strength of insolvency framework index (0-16) 0.0 6.6 11.9 None in 2017/18 Figure – Resolving Insolvency in Bhutan and comparator economies – Ranking and Score DB 2019 Resolving Insolvency Score 0 100 76.64: Thailand (Rank: 24) 55.82: China (Rank: 61) 40.84: India (Rank: 108) 38.30: Regional Average (South Asia) 33.48: Maldives (Rank: 139) 0.00: Bhutan (Rank: 168) Note: The ranking of economies on the ease of resolving insolvency is determined by sorting their scores for resolving insolvency. These scores are the simple average of the scores for the recovery rate and the strength of insolvency framework index. Figure – Resolving Insolvency in Bhutan – Time and Cost Time (years) Cost (% of estate) 4.5 4.3 25 22.0 4 Cost (% of estate) 3.5 18.0 20 Time (years) 3 2.6 15 2.5 2 1.7 1.7 9.3 9.9 9.0 1.5 1.5 10 1.5 1 4.0 5 0.5 0 0 No China India Maldives OECD South Thailand Practice high Asia Bhutan income Page 50 Doing Business 2019 Bhutan Figure – Resolving Insolvency in Bhutan and comparator economies – Measure of Quality Bhutan 1 2 1 0 China 5 3 1 2.5 India 4.5 2 1 1 Maldives 0 2 0 Thailand 5 2.5 2 3 OECD high income 5.3 2.8 2.2 1.9 South Asia 3.6 2.1 0.9 0.9 0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 Sub-Indicator Score Management of debtor's assets index (0-6) Commencement of proceedings index (0-3) Creditor participation index (0-4) Reorganization proceedings index (0-3) Note: Even if the economy’s legal framework includes provisions related to insolvency proceedings (liquidation or reorganization), the economy receives 0 points for the strength of insolvency framework index, if time, cost and outcome indicators are recorded as “no practice.” Figure – Resolving Insolvency in Bhutan and comparator economies – Recovery Rate Recovery rate(cents on the dollar) 100 80 69.8 60 50.6 40 36.9 32.7 26.5 20 0.0 0 Bhutan China India Maldives Thailand South Asia Page 51 Doing Business 2019 Bhutan Details – Resolving Insolvency in Bhutan Indicator Answer Score Proceeding No Practice According to the research conducted by the team, there were no foreclosure, liquidation or reorganization proceedings filed in the country in the last 12 months. Due to this circumstance, it is not possible to assess the time, the cost or the outcome associated with the insolvency scenario described in the case study. In case you do not agree with this lack of practice, please provide details in the present section. Outcome piecemeal sale According to the research conducted by the team, there were no foreclosure, liquidation or reorganization proceedings filed in the country in the last 12 months. Due to this circumstance, it is not possible to assess the time, the cost or the outcome associated with the insolvency scenario described in the case study. In case you do not agree with this lack of practice, please provide details in the present section. Time (in years) No Practice According to the research conducted by the team, there were no foreclosure, liquidation or reorganization proceedings filed in the country in the last 12 months. Due to this circumstance, it is not possible to assess the time, the cost or the outcome associated with the insolvency scenario described in the case study. Cost (% of No Practice According to the research conducted by the team, there were no foreclosure, liquidation or estate) reorganization proceedings filed in the country in the last 12 months. Due to this circumstance, it is not possible to assess the time, the cost or the outcome associated with the insolvency scenario described in the case study. Recovery rate 0.0 (cents on the dollar) Page 52 Doing Business 2019 Bhutan Details – Resolving Insolvency in Bhutan – Measure of Quality Answer Score Strength of insolvency framework index (0-16) 0.0 Commencement of proceedings index (0-3) 2.0 What procedures are available to a DEBTOR when commencing insolvency proceedings? (b) Debtor may 0.5 file for liquidation only Does the insolvency framework allow a CREDITOR to file for insolvency of the debtor? (b) Yes, but a 0.5 creditor may file for liquidation only What basis for commencement of the insolvency proceedings is allowed under the (a) Debtor is 1.0 insolvency framework? generally unable to pay its debts as they mature Management of debtor's assets index (0-6) 1.0 Does the insolvency framework allow the continuation of contracts supplying essential goods No 0.0 and services to the debtor? Does the insolvency framework allow the rejection by the debtor of overly burdensome No 0.0 contracts? Does the insolvency framework allow avoidance of preferential transactions? Yes 1.0 Does the insolvency framework allow avoidance of undervalued transactions? No 0.0 Does the insolvency framework provide for the possibility of the debtor obtaining credit after No 0.0 commencement of insolvency proceedings? Does the insolvency framework assign priority to post-commencement credit? (c) No priority is 0.0 assigned to post- commencement creditors Reorganization proceedings index (0-3) 0.0 Which creditors vote on the proposed reorganization plan? N/A 0.0 Does the insolvency framework require that dissenting creditors in reorganization receive at No 0.0 least as much as what they would obtain in a liquidation? Are the creditors divided into classes for the purposes of voting on the reorganization plan, No 0.0 does each class vote separately and are creditors in the same class treated equally? Creditor participation index (0-4) 1.0 Does the insolvency framework require approval by the creditors for selection or No 0.0 appointment of the insolvency representative? Does the insolvency framework require approval by the creditors for sale of substantial No 0.0 assets of the debtor? Does the insolvency framework provide that a creditor has the right to request information No 0.0 from the insolvency representative? Does the insolvency framework provide that a creditor has the right to object to decisions Yes 1.0 accepting or rejecting creditors' claims? Note: Even if the economy’s legal framework includes provisions related to insolvency proceedings (liquidation or reorganization), the economy receives 0 points for the strength of insolvency framework index, if time, cost and outcome indicators are recorded as “no practice.” Page 53 Doing Business 2019 Bhutan Labor Market Regulation Doing Business presents detailed data for the labor market regulation indicators on the Doing Business website (http://www.doingbusiness.org). The report does not present rankings of economies on these indicators or include the topic in the aggregate ease of doing business score or ranking on the ease of doing business. The most recent round of data collection was completed in May 2018. See the methodology for more information. What the indicators measure Case study assumptions Hiring To make the data comparable across economies, several assumptions about the (i) whether fixed-term contracts are prohibited for worker and the business are used. permanent tasks; (ii) maximum cumulative duration of fixed-term contracts; (iii) length of the The worker: probationary period; (iv) minimum wage. - Is a cashier in a supermarket or grocery store, age 19, with one year of work experience. Working hours - Is a full-time employee. (i) maximum number of working days allowed per - Is not a member of the labor union, unless membership is mandatory. week; (ii) premiums for work: at night, on a weekly rest day and overtime; (iii) whether there are The business: restrictions on work at night, work on a weekly rest - Is a limited liability company (or the equivalent in the economy). day and for overtime work; (iv) whether - Operates a supermarket or grocery store in the economy’s largest business city. nonpregnant and nonnursing women can work For 11 economies the data are also collected for the second largest business city. same night hours as men; (v) length of paid annual - Has 60 employees. leave. - Is subject to collective bargaining agreements if such agreements cover more than 50% of the food retail sector and they apply even to firms that are not party to them. Redundancy rules - Abides by every law and regulation but does not grant workers more benefits than (i) whether redundancy can be basis for terminating those mandated by law, regulation or (if applicable) collective bargaining workers; (ii) whether employer needs to notify agreements. and/or get approval from third party to terminate 1 redundant worker and a group of 9 redundant workers; (iii) whether law requires employer to reassign or retrain a worker before making worker redundant; (iv) whether priority rules apply for redundancies and reemployment. Redundancy cost (i) notice period for redundancy dismissal; (ii) severance payments due when terminating a redundant worker. Job quality (i) whether law mandates equal remuneration for work of equal value and nondiscrimination based on gender in hiring; (ii) whether law mandates paid or unpaid maternity leave; (iii) length of paid maternity leave; (iv) whether employees on maternity leave receive 100% of wages; (v) availability of five fully paid days of sick leave a year; (vi) eligibility requirements for unemployment protection. Page 54 Doing Business 2019 Bhutan Labor Market Regulation - Bhutan Details – Labor Market Regulation in Bhutan Answer Hiring Fixed-term contracts prohibited for permanent tasks? No Maximum length of a single fixed-term contract (months) No limit Maximum length of fixed-term contracts, including renewals (months) No limit Minimum wage applicable to the worker assumed in the case study (US$/month) 52.2 Ratio of minimum wage to value added per worker 0.2 Maximum length of probationary period (months) 6.0 Working hours Standard workday 8.0 Maximum number of working days per week 6.0 Premium for night work (% of hourly pay) 0.0 Premium for work on weekly rest day (% of hourly pay) 0.0 Premium for overtime work (% of hourly pay) 0.0 Restrictions on night work? No Whether nonpregnant and nonnursing women can work the same night hours as men Yes Restrictions on weekly holiday? No Restrictions on overtime work? No Paid annual leave for a worker with 1 year of tenure (working days) 9.0 Paid annual leave for a worker with 5 years of tenure (working days) 18.0 Paid annual leave for a worker with 10 years of tenure (working days) 18.0 Paid annual leave (average for workers with 1, 5 and 10 years of tenure, in working days) 15.0 Redundancy rules Dismissal due to redundancy allowed by law? Yes Third-party notification if one worker is dismissed? Yes Third-party approval if one worker is dismissed? No Third-party notification if nine workers are dismissed? Yes Third-party approval if nine workers are dismissed? No Retraining or reassignment obligation before redundancy? No Priority rules for redundancies? No Priority rules for reemployment? No Redundancy cost Notice period for redundancy dismissal for a worker with 1 year of tenure 5.3 Notice period for redundancy dismissal for a worker with 5 years of tenure 9.3 Notice period for redundancy dismissal for a worker with 10 years of tenure 10.3 Notice period for redundancy dismissal (average for workers with 1, 5 and 10 years of tenure) 8.3 Severance pay for redundancy dismissal for a worker with 1 year of tenure 0.0 Page 55 Doing Business 2019 Bhutan Severance pay for redundancy dismissal for a worker with 5 years of tenure 0.0 Severance pay for redundancy dismissal for a worker with 10 years of tenure 0.0 Severance pay for redundancy dismissal (average for workers with 1, 5 and 10 years of tenure) 0.0 Job quality Equal remuneration for work of equal value? Yes Gender nondiscrimination in hiring? Yes Paid or unpaid maternity leave mandated by law? Yes Minimum length of maternity leave (calendar days)? 56.0 Receive 100% of wages on maternity leave? Yes Five fully paid days of sick leave a year? Yes Unemployment protection after one year of employment? No Minimum contribution period for unemployment protection (months)? n.a. Page 56 Doing Business 2019 Bhutan Business Reforms in Bhutan In the past year, Doing Business observed a peaking of reform activity worldwide. From June 2, 2017, to May 1, 2018, 128 economies implemented a record 314 regulatory reforms improving the business climate. Reforms inspired by Doing Business have been implemented by economies in all regions. The following are reforms implemented since Doing Business 2008. = Doing Business reform making it easier to do business. = Change making it more difficult to do business. DB2019 Paying Taxes: Bhutan made paying taxes easier by introducing an online platform for filing corporate income tax and personal income tax returns. DB2018 Starting a Business: Bhutan made starting a business easier by reducing the time for obtaining a Security Clearance Certificate, registering at the Office of the Registrar and registering for taxes. Getting Credit: Bhutan improved access to credit information by beginning to distribute payment data from two utility companies. Protecting Minority Investors: Bhutan strengthened minority investor protections by clarifying ownership and control structures but weakened minority investor protections by reducing shareholder rights. Enforcing Contracts: Bhutan made enforcing contracts easier by creating a dedicated bench to resolve commercial cases. DB2016 Getting Electricity: Bhutan made getting electricity easier by speeding up the process for obtaining a new connection. Registering Property: Bhutan made transferring property easier by introducing a computerized land information system. DB2014 Starting a Business: Bhutan made starting a business easier by reducing the time required to obtain the security clearance certificate. Getting Credit: Bhutan improved access to credit information through new regulations governing the licensing and functioning of the credit bureau and guaranteeing borrowers’ right to access their data. DB2013 Labor Market Regulation: Bhutan introduced a minimum wage. DB2012 Starting a Business: Bhutan eased the process of starting a business by making its criminal records search electronic and making the rubber company stamps available on the local market. Getting Credit: Bhutan improved its credit information system by launching the operation of a public credit registry. DB2011 Labor Market Regulation: Bhutan established the mandatory paid annual leave. DB2009 Enforcing Contracts: Bhutan eased the caseload of district courts by creating a land commission to handle property transfers (previously about 30% of all district court cases), thereby reducing the time required to enforce contracts through the courts. DB2008 Starting a Business: Bhutan made it easier to start a limited liability trading company by eliminating 2 procedures—name approval and location clearance—and increasing efficiency at the company registrar. Labor Market Regulation: Bhutan increased the maximum duration of fixed-term contracts, eliminated restrictions on night work, introduced a requirement for third-party notification for redundancy dismissals and increased redundancy costs. Page 57 Doing Business 2019 Bhutan Page 58