SINGAPORE: As a country, it could not be more different from Singapore. Bhutan has no fast food outlets, no ATMs and no traffic lights.

And, it assesses its achievements based on the index of a Gross National Happiness (GNH) rather than on the economics of a Gross National Product.

Yet, the civil service in Bhutan is keen to learn from Singapore's experience in development.

This week, a delegation of nine senior civil servants is visiting the Republic to gain an insight to the areas of business, culture, education, land use planning and governance.

Besides exchanges with various ministries and government agencies, the Bhutanese delegation will also visit institutions of higher learning and think-tanks.

One of those visits, to the Institute of Policy Studies this morning, includes a discussion session about the country's GNH index.

The term is rooted in the Buddhist notion that the ultimate purpose of life is inner happiness.

GNH measures development based, for example, on levels of environmental protection, cultural promotion, good governance and economic development.

The Singapore International Foundation is hosting the Bhutanese delegation as part of its Distinguished Visitors Programme. As a country, it could not be more different from Singapore.

Courtesy Today (Singapore)