HRD support for National Finance Services (HRD-NFS click here for details)

The purpose of the HRD-NFS is to strengthen the National Finance Services (NFS) for enhancing efficient and transparent public financial management hereby fostering good governance. It addresses the competencies, self-reliance, developing skilled and motivated cadre for effective and efficient execution of responsibilities and the profession is made attractive.

Support for Teacher Education Programme (STEP click here for details)

The STEP will contribute to enable the Bhutanese youth providing opportunities in school education to make informed choices in order to shape their lives. The main objectives are  addressed with several componential objectives, which are enhancing professional qualification of teacher educators, improving the quality of primary and secondary teacher education, augmenting ICT learning and teaching competencies in both CoEs; introduction and conduction of youth guidance and counselling; and CoEs become centres for excellence in teaching learning.

The Road Bridge Division and Wangdue Bridge Project

In 1995, Helvetas agreed to build an Arch Bridge across the Puna Tsang Chhu to replace the existing bailey bridge, which has fulfilled its life span. It is historically and strategically a very important bridge, linking east and west on the national highway. A concrete arch bridge design was developed, combining aesthetic needs with cost effectiveness and technical suitability.

The site of the old traditional bridge (Bazam) was selected as the best site being geologically sound for the construction of the motorable arch bridge. The construction of the new two lane concrete arch bridge started in the autumn of  2000 with the involvement of private construction companies. The bridge was completed by mid 2002 at a cost of Nu. 65 million. The span of the bridge is 120m with an arch span of 96 metres and its width is 7m with a carrying capacity of 40 tons. This arch bridge is the first of its kind in Bhutan and stands as a model modern bridge for the country.

During the construction period it was a platform for on-the-job training for the staff of Department of Roads and for the Contractors involved in bridge construction.

The concrete arch bridge was inaugurated jointly by His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, Dasho Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck and the Secretary General of Helvetas, Mr. Werner Kuelling on 21 September 2002.

The project budget was 2.4 million CHF.