Assessing the status of ATR 42-600 aircraft 

June 2022 - SDF team led by the Economic and Infrastructure team held a field mission to Paro International Airport in Bhutan to see the status of the Drukair ATR 42-600 aircraft purchased with SDF loan financing under its Economic & Infrastructure Windows in 2019.

This is the first project under SDF’s Economic Window. SDF financing not only helps Drukair extend aviation connectivity with Bangladesh, India and Nepal but provides greater economic connectivity and regional integration.

It was encouraging to learn that the Aircraft was in operating condition despite the effects of the Covid-19 Pandemic and it had just landed after coming from Yonphula airport in Eastern Bhutan.

SDF disbursed loan amount US$13 million (around Nu 918 million) to Drukair Corporation Limited for the purchase of Drukair ATR aircraft on 20 September 2019. This was following the agreement signed between the Ministry of Finance, Royal Government of Bhutan, SDF and Drukair Corporation Limited on 13 August 2019. 

The Economic and Infrastructure (E&I) Windows of SDF provides loans for financing both sovereign and non-sovereign projects in the SAARC Member States.  The mandate of the E&I windows is to finance economic and infrastructure projects in the eight member states with direct benefit going to at least 2 member states.

The E&I Team continues to strategize in order to garner sound bankable projects and have initiated preliminary "show interest calls" with several relevant organizations and partners.