In what is the latest development in the Gelephu Mindfulness City (GMC), the Gelephu Investment and Development Corporation, a sovereign development body for GMC, is calling for non-resident Bhutanese (NRB) to invest in the planned city envisioned by His Majesty the King.

The investment is in the form of offering NRBs fixed-term deposit placement where NRBs would earn interest in USD or Ngultrum. To encourage NRBs to participate in the initiative,  subscribers will receive certificates of appreciation and recognition. The initiative follows His Majesty the King’s visit to Australia where His Majesty met thousands of Bhutanese and encouraged them to take part in Bhutan’s future development plans.

The call is not to entice the ever-growing NRB to send their money home. It is an opportunity for Bhutanese living and working aboard to participate in nation-building process. More than that, it is an opportunity for meaningful investment for the NRBs.

In fact, it provides an opportunity for NRBs,  who for whatever reasons are getting the flak for leaving the country, choosing to live and work abroad, while the country needs them the most. There is no clarity as to whether the Bhutanese population at large can contribute to the noble vision. What we know is that the initiative invites NRBs to be the first group to contribute to the unique city born from a Royal vision.

Building the visionary city starts with basic infrastructure. Given the scale of the vision and the plan, an airport surpassing international standards, steeped deeply in Bhutanese values of sustainability and mindfulness, is the first step.  The initiatives to allow NRBs invest or contribute to the building of the international airport symbolises Bhutanese taking part in laying the foundation of the city.

If NRBs are lost for options to invest their hard-earned money, the ORO Bank, the official digital bank for the GMC provides a secure opportunity. ORO Bank’s customers are backed by 100 percent corresponding reserve, enduring customers with security and making it perfect for disruptive startups and innovative entrepreneurs. 

His Majesty the King’s visit to Australia and the confidence His Majesty gave to the NRBs, many say, has assured the thousands of Bhutanese abroad to be a part of nation-building process. Bhutanese living abroad could be the first contributors to the GMC through the initiative.

Words doing the round that NRBs are bringing in ideas and initiatives to contribute to the success of the GMC. The initiative allows NRBs, at the individual level,  to play a part in laying the foundation of the vision. This is how it should all be. It is as one Bhutanese living in Canberra, Australia, said, a golden opportunity to serve the nation meaningfully.