OVERVIEW: The king, Jigme Khesar Namgyal Wangchuck, will preside over a period of considerable political change in 2008-09. India will continue to wield enormous influence, although a new friendship treaty between the two countries allows for a looser form of association than in the past. GDP growth is likely to continue at double-digit annual rates for the next two years, owing mostly to the contribution of the Tala hydroelectric plant, which will also improve the country's current-account position.

Source: Bhutan: Country outlook