- The King of Bhutan emphasized the Gelephu Mindfulness City and the region’s abundant potential.
- the Gelephu SAR) is intended to be an independent economic hub with executive and legal autonomy.
- Energy, connectivity, and skills are the three immediate priority areas that King Wangchuk identified to support the Gelephu initiative.
In his 116th National Day speech, King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck of Bhutan emphasized the Gelephu Mindfulness City and the region’s abundant potential while highlighting South Asia‘s continuous economic transition.
Forming a dynamic economic corridor that connects South Asia with Southeast Asia, the proposed land connection from Gelephu passes via the states of Assam and Northeast India and on to Vietnam, Myanmar, Malaysia, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, and Singapore.
Gelephu City
To become a unique economic center, the Gelephu Special Administrative Region (SAR) is intended to be an independent economic hub with executive and legal autonomy. This will be accomplished by providing an attractive business climate and attractive incentives to attract foreign investment.
The creation of a thriving economic hub that defies conventional paradigms is in line with establishing the SAR. Based on the principles and vision of Gross National Happiness (GNH), it aims to become a Mindfulness City, supporting environmentally friendly and socially responsible enterprises that draw inspiration from Bhutan’s distinctive culture and Buddhist spiritual legacy.
There will be a stringent screening procedure for organizations and individuals visiting Gelephu to guarantee conformity with Bhutanese culture and values.
Only 2.5 percent of Bhutan’s total land area, or 1000 sq km or 2,50,000 acres, is made up of the Gelephu Mindfulness City. Large expenditures in public infrastructure, including highways, bridges, and airports, will be necessary to realize the project’s projected huge advantages for the entire nation.
The expansion of economic activity is expected to open up new doors for the private sector by increasing demand for products and services as well as niche markets for different kinds of items. Energy, connectivity, and skills are the three immediate priority areas that King Wangchuk identified to support the Gelephu initiative.
