Sherab Lhamo

His Majesty the King named Ming Z. Mei, Co-Founder and CEO of GLP, as the inaugural Founding Member of Gelephu Mindfulness City (GMC) yesterday.

This recognition marks a significant step in the development of Bhutan’s pioneering initiative to create a sustainable and forward-thinking urban centre.

The GLP is a global leader in logistics real estate, data centres, renewable energy infrastructure, and related technologies. The GLP owns and manages about USD 120 billion of assets worldwide, with a focus on high-growth, high-resiliency new-economy sectors across Asia, Europe and the Americas.

Ming Z. Mei’s family trust, Humble Holdings, will invest in key projects critical to GMC’s initial growth, according to a press release from GMC.

The GMC Founding Member programme is an exclusive, invitation-only initiative that brings together visionary individuals whose expertise and investments will play a pivotal role in the city’s development.

Founding members not only provide financial support but also serve as advisors, leveraging their global experience and insights to propel the project forward.

The programme aims to induct influential individuals who bring deep knowledge of the industries, infrastructure, and systems required to drive the growth and development of GMC while also holding values that align with Bhutan’s culture and traditions.

“His Majesty’s vision for the future of Bhutan and its people is inspiring. Gelephu Mindfulness City presents a bold new model for ‘mindful development’ in the 21st century, aiming to drive economic transformation for Bhutan by launching industries that offer meaningful employment opportunities for the younger generation in modern, technology driven, and globally connected sectors,” Ming Z. Mei said.

He said that this initiative aligns deeply with his philosophy of fostering positive impact through investment, balancing economic and social opportunities with safeguarding Bhutan’s natural beauty, culture, and values.

“It is an honour to be named a GMC Founding Member and contribute to the realisation of this visionary project,” he said.

Additional Founding Members will be announced in the coming months, according to GMC officials.

The development of GMC focuses on seven key sectors: Agritech and forestry, Airport economy, education and knowledge, finance and wealth management, green energy and high-tech, health and wellness, and spirituality.